Timothy a good soldier of Jesus and advice on personal conduct and relationships. Also, how the bible commands the believer to study the scripture.
2Tim.2 and verse 1 reads.
2Tim.2:1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
How can we be strong in his Grace? Ephesians 6:10-13 reads.
Eph.6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Back to 2Tim.2 and verse 2 reads.
2Tim.2:2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Teach them who in turn will teach others.
2Tim.2:3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
[4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
We are to please God and not man. We are chosen soldiers for Jesus, we can endure a little discomfort for him as he endured the cross for us.
2Tim.2:5] And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
[6] The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Let’s go to 1Cor.9:7 and it reads.
1Cor.9:7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
And 1Cor.9:24-25 continues.
1Cor.9:24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
[25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Back to 2Tim.2 and verse 7 reads.
2Tim.2:7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
All wisdom comes from the Lord. Let’s go to Proverbs 2:6-11 and it reads.
Prov.2:6] For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
[7] He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
[8] He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
[9] Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
[10] When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
[11] Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
Back to 2Tim.2 and verse 8 reads.
2Tim.2:8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
[9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
He was in prison for teaching the Gospel, that the Christ had come and they crucified him. Yet he wrote most of the New Testament while in prison.
2Tim.2:10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Never forget he will deny those who deny him. Even unto death never lose your courage.
2Tim.2:13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Let’s go back to the Old Testament, and we find in Num.23:18-20 it reads.
Num.23:18] And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
[19] God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
[20] Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
And in Titus it reads.
Titus 1:2] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Back to 2Tim.2 and verse 14 reads.
2Tim.2:14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Speaking of those who you have taught, that they teach others.
2Tim.2:15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Let’s divide this verse and break it down. Study to show thyself approved unto God, study the Word of God that he may prove you. A workman that needs not to be ashamed, a servant of the Lord and a doer of his will. Rightly dividing the word of truth, checking the word and finding the witness from the word to clarify the truth. One of my favorite verses in the bible.
2Tim.2:16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Keep false doctrine from the church and your home, it leads to more ungodliness and confusion.
2Tim.2:17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
[18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
We studied this in 1Tim.1:20. These two were kicked out of the church because they were unbelievers and thought they could take over the church.
2Tim.2:19] Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
God’s plan is sure and this is our seal, our guarantee. Let’s go back to John and read.
John 10:14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
[29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
[30] I and my Father are one.
This is our seal, the Father and the Son are One. And we belong to Him. Back to 2Tim.2 and verse 20 reads.
2Tim.2:20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
I’ve heard many times from my teacher. We are the clay and the Father is the potter, and he can mold a beautiful flower vase from part of the lump, and a chamber pot from another lump of the same clay.
2Tim.2:21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
He prepares us with his wisdom (verse 15) to go and be a doer for his will.
2Tim.2:22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
This was explained better in 1Cor.6:18-20 and it reads.
1Cor.6:18] Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body.
[19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
[20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
We cannot be with sin if we are in the Lord, repent often and keep yourself pure for the Holy Spirit is within you. Back to 2Tim.2 and verse 23 reads.
2Tim.2:23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Gender is G1080 and means to procreate. This verse is talking about foolish questions begat more foolish questions.
2Tim.2:24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
[25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Seek the Lord and you will find him, knock and the door will be opened. Teach the truth and they will learn and be able to be teachers also.
2Tim.2:26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
We learned this in 1Timothy 3:7 it reads.
1Tim.3:7] Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
For those who teach in the churches and for the bishops who keep their homes. Great study today let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible