2 Timothy 2:1-26
A Christian Soldier
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
A Workman Approved by God
14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
St. Paul writes to Timothy to be strong in grace and endure the hardships that he know will come...He wants Timothy to be like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer...St. Paul and St. Timothy, in their starting of the first Christian churches, must have felt like soldiers out in battle, a spiritual battle, not only with the older Jewish traditions and Judaism, but also with the new converts listening and questioning their beliefs...The battling Christian soldier must have a solid battle plan...Like the Christian soldier marching off to war, he must be prepared...Then Paul tells Timothy to be like an athlete...There are rules in athletics, and we must abide by the rules...There are rules for Christians and what Jesus' teaches...We can break these rules and sin, but what good or fun is there when an athlete cheats and breaks the rules to win...Then St. Paul goes on and talks about the farmer...For the farmer, to have a good harvest, must be hardworking and patient...And the soldier, the athlete, and farmer must prayer to make the necessary and good things happen on the battlefield, in the race, and on his farm...
Timothy must learn to be hardworking, patient, and a good example for others -and ready for any battle or conflict that might come up...Timothy must be persistent and focused on the Christian movement and Jesus...He must somehow learn to be tough, yet kind...Gentle to his opposition...Others would be watching him, as their teacher and spiritual leader...Paul understands these things for as he writes to Timothy, as he is chained and in jail, like a criminal, for his teachings of the gospel of Jesus...Timothy must remember and teach that Jesus, descended from David, and rose from the dead...This is their mission, but they will be sidetracked by disbelievers and opposition...He will be plagued (and maybe already is) by false teachers (Hymenaeus and Philetus)...But God knows what is in our hearts...The LORD knows who are His children...
St. Paul tells Timothy that words can be turned around and misunderstood...But if he leads the life as Jesus teaches, he will be an example for those in the church, and those that he teaches...He tells Timothy he must flee the evil desires of youth, and focus on righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with others who pursue the LORD with a pure heart...And for those that do oppose him, he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will help them repent...By treating his opponents with gentle respect, he will gain more of their confidence...But when one sees an argument breaking out over the new teachings of Jesus, it is best to back down, because those long argumentative battles are seldom won...
St. Paul knew that over the course of the next several years Timothy (and the new churches) would be faced with troubles and trials...Paul knew that Jesus could and would give Timothy the mental toughness he would need to succeed in spreading the good news...He knew as the troubles and opposition increased that Timothy could learn from his trials and the opposition...