Second Timothy

02 – Greetings and thanksgiving

1:1-5

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you as I remember your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, 5 remembering the sincere faith in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that is in you also

(LEB)

Have you ever noticed the similarities in the greetings of both 1st and 2nd Timothy? Here is Paul’s opening statement in First Timothy:

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is his opening statement in 2nd Timothy:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

In both, he declares himself to be the writer of the letter. He also declares himself to be an apostle (APOSTOLOS) meaning: a delegate, an ambassador, he that is sent. Although Timothy knew this very well, Paul reminds him of where he has obtained his authority in spiritual matters.

In both he declares that he is an ambassador of Jesus Christ. This is whom he represents. May all true believers also be reminded whom they represent in life – Jesus. Remember what Christ said:

Acts 1

 8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (NKJV)

In both cases Paul writes that the capacity for becoming a representative of Christ was not of his doing but that of the Lord God. In First Timothy it is ‘through the will of God’ and in Second Timothy ‘according to the command of God’. The word ‘through’ (DIA) means: the channel of an act. This became real through ‘the will of the God’. The word ‘will’ (THELEMA) means: a determination, an active choice, volition. God wanted Paul to be his ambassador and it was through his will that it became true.

In both greetings Paul speaks of something to look ahead for, something that is encouraging for his ministry. In First Timothy he speaks of HOPE that is found in Jesus Christ. In Second Timothy he speaks of the ‘promise of life’ which is also found in Christ Jesus. The word ‘promise’ (EPAGGELIA) means: an announcement, a message, a promise. The word ‘life’ (ZOE) means: life literally or figuratively. These seem to be two pillars that sustained Paul during his ministry. The HOPE and the LIFE that is in Christ. May I ask you what it is that sustains you in your life? Where do you find your strength to carry on in the faith?

In both opening statements Paul speaks dearly of Timothy. In First Timothy he calls him ‘my true child in the faith’ and in Second Timothy ‘my dear child’. The word ‘dear’ (AGAPETOS) means: beloved, well loved. This is a tender term, one that is filled with love and affection. Although Titus is called ‘a true son in the faith’ (Titus 1:4) no other person was as close to Paul as Timothy.

The last sentence in his greetings in both letters is exactly the same:

(v.2) …Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is Paul’s blessing on Timothy, that he would be filled with these three things. The first is ‘grace’ (CHARIS) meaning: graciousness in manner or act, an undeserved favor. Timothy needed all the grace he could receive for he lived in a very perilous time of persecution directed by Rome. Then Paul blessed Timothy with ‘mercy’ (ELEOS) meaning: to join, peace, prosperity, rest. With troubles from within the church and persecution without, Timothy needed God’s rest and mercy upon him. Finally, Paul blessed Timothy with ‘peace’ (EIRENE) meaning: human or divine active compassion. May each child of God be blessed with grace, mercy and peace. All of these blessings in both opening statements were from the Father and Jesus Christ.

3 I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you as I remember your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, 5 remembering the sincere faith in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that is in you also

Before speaking to Timothy about his relationship with him, Paul thinks of God. He places his relationship with God before all relationships. This is how it ought to be with all true believers. No relationship is more precious and valuable than the one we have with our heavenly Father. Is this true of you? Is your closeness with God more important than to you with anyone else?

Paul writes: ‘I am thankful to God’. The word ‘thankful’ (CHERIS) means: to rejoice, gratitude, joy, pleasure. As we will soon see, he is rejoicing in the Lord for the memories of Timothy. Paul describes the key to the relationship he has with God. We should all take note of this like Timothy probably did! This is what he says concerning his life with the Lord ‘whom I have served with a clear conscience’. Two things are mentioned. The first is ‘I have served’. Paul knew he was called to ‘serve’ (LATREUO) meaning: a hired menial, serve, do the service. He was quite content simply to be a servant of the Lord (Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1; Philemon 1:1). All children of God should consider themselves the Lord’s servant. If our God is Master, Lord, King, Creator and Sustainer and if we are dust, what does that make us – servants at best! May it be our joy to serve the Lord God.

The second thing Paul mentions about his relationship with God is that he served the Lord with ‘a clear conscience’. The word ‘clear’ (KATHAROS) means: clean, clear, pure. The word ‘conscience’ (SUNEIDESIS) means: moral consciousness. In other words, his ‘heart’ was pure before the Lord. His conscience did not bother him for he walked straight before the Lord. His conscience had already been cleansed at the cross:

Hebrews 9

 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 NKJV

But Paul kept a pure heart before the Lord which kept his conscience pure. Do you remember the weight that David carried until he confessed his sin with Bathsheba? His conscience bothered him until he broke down and admitted his wrong doing (Ps. 51). The apostle John tell us how to get rid of a burdened conscience:

1 John 1

 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

NKJV

Then Paul writes ‘as my ancestors did’. We can understand that not ALL of his ancestors lived with a clear conscience. I believe that this is a general statement which he is making. The word ‘ancestors’ (PROGONOS) means: an ancestor, a forefather. It was in the same spirit as his forefathers that Paul served the Lord God.

(v.3) …when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day, 

Paul is thankful unto God ‘when I remember you constantly’. Paul is grateful that he had such a disciple as Timothy. Timothy had followed Paul in his missionary trips and suffered the cost of following the Lord alongside him. Paul liked to ‘remember’ (MNEIA) meaning: recollection, remembrance. In other words, he thought of Timothy chained in his dark gloomy dungeon. Paul reflected on his life and had fond memories of Timothy.

He remembered Timothy ‘constantly’ (ADIALEIPTOS) meaning: permanent, continually, without ceasing. His face appeared in his mind when he was in his ‘prayers’ (DEESIS) meaning: a petition, request, a prayer. Being in prison, Paul had a lot of time on his hands and he used it to pray. He remembers him and the days past, evangelizing, teaching and caring for churches but he also remembers him for the present and presents him to the Lord for wisdom and safety. His prayers for Timothy were not sporadic for he prayed ‘night and day’. Do we care and love people enough to carry them in our prayers day after day as Paul did?

4 longing to see you as I remember your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, 

His thoughts of Timothy flooded his mind and it stirred up his emotions: ‘longing to see you’ was his desire. The word ‘longing’ (EPIPOTHEO) means: a great desire, intensive crave. How he wished that Timothy would be by his side, old and in chains and fragile because of the abuse of his body (2 Cor. 11:22-27), Paul would have loved for Timothy to be of help – but he could not.

​

Paul writes: ‘I remember your tears’. Another thing that Paul ‘remember(s)’ (MNAOMAI) meaning: to bear in mind, fixture of the mind, are ‘your tears’ (DAKRU) meaning: a tear. Paul does not reveal in what circumstances these tears were shed but this does manifest the human side of Timothy. Was he tired of his voyages and of following Paul? Were the dangers of ministry overflowing and  too much for him? Were Christians hard on him as it often happens to people in leadership? We do not know but what we do know is that Paul remembered his tears.

Paul was ‘longing’ to see Timothy ‘so that I may be filled with joy’. The word ‘filled’ (PLEROO) means: to make replete, to cram, to level up. The thoughts concerning Timothy filled his heart as one fills a cup of water to its brim. And all of these memories which filled his heart brought him ‘joy’ (CHARA) meaning: calm delight, gladness, joy. One can imagine a peaceful smile on this old man’s face when he thought of Timothy.

 5 remembering the sincere faith in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that is in you also

One of the many things that he remembered about Timothy was ‘the sincere faith in you’. The word ‘sincere’ (ANUPOKRITOS) means: sincere, without hypocrisy. Timothy was true and honest in his ‘faith’ (PISTIS) persuasion, credence, moral conviction. Remember when those who followed Jesus suddenly abandoned him because his teachings were too difficult to accept?

John 6

 64 "But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.

 65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."

 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

NKJV

Many had abandoned Jesus because their faith was not ‘sincere’. This was not the case with Timothy! He never abandoned his faith nor Paul. Speaking concerning his ‘faith’ Paul states that it ‘lived first’ in his grandmother and his mother. The word ‘lived’ (ENOIKEO) means: to inhabit, to dwell in. How his grandmother and his mother believed unto salvation is not explained. What we do know is that his father was a Greek gentile (Acts 16:1) but it was both his grandmother and mother (who were believers) who had an important spiritual part in Timothy’s life. Thank God for godly parents and grandparents! One does not always understand the profound impact of their faith on these little ones.

Paul ends by saying that ‘I am convinced that is in you also'. The word ‘convinced’ (PEITHO) means: to convince, to asset, to have confidence. Paul had seen the faith of Timothy at work and knew he was inhabited by it. May our faith shine brightly so that it can be seen by those all around us. May we be remembered because of our faith. May our faith bring joy to those who think about us.

back to the menu

Second Timothy

03 – The exhortation to persevere

1:6-11

6 for which reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and self-discipline. 8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor me his prisoner, but suffer along with me for the gospel, according to the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been disclosed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought to light life and immortality through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a proclaimer and an apostle and a teacher

(LEB)

Before we begin, I would like to point out the use of the word ‘ashamed’ in Second Timothy. It is an important word for Paul uses it on four occasions (1:8,12,16; 2:15). Three times he uses the word EPAISCHUNOMAI which means: to feel shame or fear for something (1:8,12,16) and once the word ANEPAISKUNTOS (which is only used once in the N-T) which means: having NO cause for shame (2:15). This is a very strong negative adjective. We may be hitting the nail on the head with understanding the importance of this in Timothy’s life. When a believer is ashamed of Christ this blocks him from being the person he should be. He is chained by this sin and is stuck being unable to move forward and being useful for the Lord. Remember what happened to Peter when he was ashamed of Jesus on the night he was captured – he denied him three times!

Matthew 26

 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

 NKJV

It seems that Paul was worried about Timothy’s spiritual life. Paul had been away in prison and Timothy (it is believed) was still in Ephesus. We have seen in his first letter that Paul wanted his spiritual son to ‘step up’ and be at the forefront of his ministry as a church leader. He needed to confront false teachers and even elders that were not the men of God that they should be. This could have easily brought great stress in this man’s life, not including the regular ‘church business’, teaching and disciplining that he attended to. It just may be that Timothy was growing weary, tired and spiritually fatigued. This would harm his ministry and the good standing of the church before the Lord. We can see three aspects of his life which Paul was concerned about.

6 for which reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 

This is the first aspect Paul wrote about. The word ‘reason’ (AITIA) means: logical reason, motive or matter. Paul wanted to ‘remind’ (ANAMIMNESKO) meaning: to remind, to recollect, to call to mind, as though Timothy may sometimes forget certain spiritual things or truths. We ALL need to be reminded and that is why we go to church to receive the nourishment of God’s Word and why we need to read and study the Holy Scriptures. We need to be reminded of these things and the apostle Peter tells his readers that this was an objective he kept in life:

2 Peter 1

 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,

 NKJV

This is what Paul wanted to remind Timothy about: ‘to rekindle the gift of God that is in you’. The word ‘rekindle’ (ANAZOPUREO) means: to re-kindle the embers, to stir-up, to inflame one’s mind. This is a hapax which means that it is the only place this word is used in the New Testament. We can only suppose that Timothy may have been losing heart so Paul reminds him of ‘the gift of God that is in you’. The word ‘gift’ (CHARISMA) means: gratuity, a spiritual endowment. As children of God we ALL have the benefit of having at least one spiritual gift bestowed unto us for the benefit of his kingdom.

1 Corinthians 12

 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

NKJV

1 Corinthians 12

 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

NKJV

This gift was ‘of God’. No man can personally decide to give a spiritual gift to someone. Remember when Simon saw Peter and the others lay their hands on people and they received the Holy Spirit, how he desperately wanted to have the same ability? This is what happened:

Acts 8

 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

 21 "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

(NKJV)

Paul reminds Timothy that this gift was ‘in you’ (EN) meaning: fixed in position, time or state. It was there but it needed to be ‘rekindled’. How many of God’s children have these spiritual gifts in them and they are dormant? How many neglect this treasure deposited in them by their Lord and Savior? May we all search our hearts and revive the gift(s) that is in us!

(v.6) …through the laying on of my hands. 

Actually, this is the second time that Paul speaks to Timothy concerning this gift(s) that he had received.

1 Timothy 4

 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

NKJV

Here Timothy was not to ‘neglect’ (AMELEO) which means: to be careless of, to make light of. Seeing this we can understand better why Paul later tells him to ‘rekindle’ (ANAZOPUREO) means: to re-kindle the embers, to stir-up, to inflame one’s mind. No one knows what happened but it seems that there may have been some type of carelessness or lassitude on Timothy’s part. He may not have heeded Paul’s warning and now there were just ambers slowly burning instead of flames! May all children of God be on their guard, for their spiritual gift(s) may also dwindle and die out if it is neglected! On both occasions (1 Tim. 4:14 and 2 Tim. 1:6) we see that the laying of the hands was used to pass this gift unto the believer. This is exceptional and we do not see this often in the New Testament.

7 For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and self-discipline.

This is the second aspect of Timothy’s life which Paul was concerned about, Timothy seemed to be a timid person. For the second time Paul tells Timothy that these spiritual gifts are from God: ‘For God’. There is no other author of gift-giving than the Lord God in a Disciple of Christ. One must always remind himself that all his capacities, either human or spiritual are from God. All your talents, capacities and intellect are from the Lord and you have no reason to glory in yourself for having them.

1 Corinthians 4

 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

NKJV

Paul tells Timothy that God ‘has not given us a spirit of cowardice’. The word ‘cowardice’ (DEILIA) means: timidity, fearfulness, cowardice, to dread. As a leader in his Christian community there were things that Timothy was called to do and he would have done anything not to have to do them. Every one in pastoral leadership knows this feeling. Sometimes this feeling is so great that a person can delay and often totally neglect to do what needs to be done. Notice that Paul writes ‘given us’, this is in general and for all of God’s children. We have not received a spirit of ‘cowardice’ but rather a spirit of:

(v.7) …power and love and self-discipline.

A spirit of ‘power’ (DUNAMIS) meaning: force, miraculous power or strength is given. With the Lord the words ‘I can’t’ should not be in our vocabulary. Yes, I can, for the Lord has given me power to do his will. I now have the capacities to fill the ministries he has given me. Even when Paul felt the most helpless in his life, he was able to say:

2 Corinthians 1

 8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

NKJV

The key is ‘we should not trust in ourselves’ (v.9). It is when we trust in our self that we lack power. When we look unto the Lord for strength then he enables us to move forward.

A spirit of ‘love’ (AGAPE) meaning: love, affection, charity is also in the believer. One of the reasons why people crowded around Jesus was his love and care for them. The religious elite saw themselves as being ‘above’ the general people. The love of Christ was seen and felt by those who came to him. One needs only to read about anyone who was miraculously cured by him! If we sense we lack ‘love’ it is not because it is not in us, but like Timothy, we may need to re-kindle what is in us.

Finally, Paul writes that the good Lord has given his children a spirit of ‘self-discipline’ (SOPHRONISMOS) meaning: discipline, self-control, calling to soundness of the mind. We also know that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:23). When we see a believer who lacks in power, love or self-control we instantly know that he/she has not kindled these in a long while!

 8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor me his prisoner, but suffer along with me for the gospel, according to the power of God, 

This is the third aspect of Timothy’s life that Paul is concerned with, he seemed to be rather shy of his testimony of Christ. Paul writes ‘do not be ashamed’. The words ‘do not’ (ME) mean: a qualified negation, neither, never, no. Paul really put his foot down on this one – NEVER, NEVER be ‘ashamed’ (EPAISCHUNOMAI) meaning: to feel shame for something. This reminds me of the story of Peter and how he was ashamed of Christ and denied him three times (Mat. 26:34). Most of God’s children do deny Christ in one way or another but for some it is more often than others. We are not told how or why Timothy sometimes was ashamed – but he was. For Paul this had to be corrected for how can you be a Christian leader if you have difficulty to openly present yourself as a Disciple of Christ! He was ashamed of the ‘testimony of our Lord’. The word ‘testimony’ (MARTURION) means: evidence given, testimony, witness. Jesus said:

Acts 1

 8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

 NKJV

In both verses, the words ‘testimony’ and ‘witness’ are from the same Greek root word MARTUS which means: a witness, a martyr. May this be a reminder for all true believers that we are to be witnesses of the Lord God. But Paul adds ‘nor me his prisoner’. The word ‘prisoner’ (DESMIOS) means: a captive, to be in bonds, prisoner. It may be that at this time Paul was no longer regarded lovingly as he should have been. After all he has been gone for years and we have heard that he was in prison. Who would want to be a witness for a prisoner!

(v.8) …but suffer along with me for the gospel, according to the power of God, 

Instead of sometimes being ashamed of God and of myself, this is what you aught to do – be ready to ‘suffer along with me for the gospel’. The word ‘suffer’ (SUGKAKOPATHEO) means: to suffer hardship along with or in company with. Suffer with me, not for my sake but ‘for the gospel’ (EUAGGELION) meaning: a good message, the gospel. This is what we all should be ready to suffer for – the gospel of Christ. Paul adds ‘according to the power of God’. This is an encouraging few words. Don’t be ashamed of Christ or of my chains. Be ready to suffer for the glory of the gospel, all of this ‘according to the power of God’. Paul reminds Timothy that God will be along-side him in his suffering for the gospel. God will provide all the ‘power’ (DUNAMIS) meaning: force, miraculous power, strength, when you go through these sufferings. God will not abandon you – never, as the writer of Hebrews reminds us:

Hebrews 13

 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

 NKJV

Paul continues to encourage Timothy by speaking about the one he is serving.

9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been disclosed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought to light life and immortality through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a proclaimer and an apostle and a teacher

Here Paul reminds Timothy what the Lord God (who he should not be ashamed of) has done for him (and all his children). Paul writes ‘who saved us’ (SOZO) meaning: to save, deliver or protect. He has saved us from the coming wrath, from the judgment to come, from what is called ‘the second death’. John writes that believers shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev.2:11), nor shall the second death have any power over God’s children (Rev. 20:6). The second death is the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14) where death and hades shall be thrown in.

Paul also states that Timothy (as well as all true believers) received ‘a holy calling’.  The word ‘holy’ (HAGIOS) means: sacred, pure, morally blameless and the word ‘calling’ (KLESIS) means: an invitation. This word is used especially for God’s invitation to man to accept the benefits of salvation. The calling of Timothy was to become Christ-like, to resemble the beloved Son, to be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:18). There is no higher calling in life, no greater vocation than to be an adopted child of God (Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5). This is the greatest gift that one can receive, to be called by God to enter into a relationship with him.

(v.9) …not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 

Receiving salvation and a holy calling is ‘not according to our works’. The word ‘according’ (KATA) means: about, according as, just as. It is not about us and the amount of ‘works’ (ERGON) meaning: to work, toil, labor, that we can do (Titus 3:5), for salvation is of the Lord (Jonas 2:9). If it is not according to our works then it is according to what? Paul answers by writing: ‘but according to his own purpose and grace’. It is again ‘according’ this is the same Greek word used just above. This is not according to man, BUT according to ‘his own’ (IDIOS) meaning: pertaining to self, one’s own. The salvation pertains to God and God alone, no one else has anything to do with redemption! All of this is according to his own ‘purpose’ (PROTHESIS) meaning: a setting forth of a thing, a purpose. God has designed a plan for HIS own purpose. Paul explains this in the first fourteen verses of Ephesians:

Ephesians 1

 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

NKJV

Once more we see the word ‘grace’, Paul uses it seven times in both letters to Timothy. All is covered by grace – our redemption and our calling. May each true believer rejoice and be eternally thankful for the grace given unto him! This ‘salvation’ and ‘calling’ given to Timothy through ‘grace’ is not through anything that he had done but it ‘was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began’. Who made this possible – if not the Messiah? All of this was ‘given in Christ Jesus’. He is the agent through which the grace, forgiveness and calling of the Father flows unto repentant believers! That is why Jesus could say:

John 14

 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

NKJV

All of this was prepared by the Lord God ‘before time began’. The word ‘before’ (PRO) means: in front of, prior, before and the word ‘time’ (CHRONOS) meaning: a space of time, a while. Finally, the word ‘began’ (AIONIOS) means: without beginning. This is another proof that people have nothing to do with their salvation. It was determined before time even existed!

10 but has now been disclosed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought to light life and immortality through the gospel, 

The mystery that Paul is writing about – the plan of God for redemption – was brought forth before time ever existed. What Paul is saying in this verse is that the plan was one day revealed to mankind!

The word ‘disclosed’ (PHANEROO) means: to render apparent, to manifest. At a time solely determined by God, he executed or brought forth his plan and this was done ‘by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ’. The Messiah is God’s only plan of salvation. His plan was revealed by the ‘appearing’ (EPIPHANEIA) meaning: a manifestation, an appearing. In other words, the birth of Christ was the beginning of the manifestation of the redemptive plan of God. When Simeon saw baby Jesus this is what he said:

Luke 2

 29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."

 NKJV

This great plan had one main goal (although there are many others) as Paul writes: ‘Jesus Christ who has abolished death and brought to light life and immortality through the gospel’. The Messiah came to ‘abolish death’ – Amen! The word ‘abolish’ (KATARGEO) means: to be entirely useless, abolish. Death was rendered useless, Christ was victorious over death, which was the penalty for our sins.

Colossians 2

 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

 NKJV

There is no second death for those who have received Christ as their Savior! May all of God’s children rejoice and be eternally grateful. Christ has not only abolished death he ‘brought to life and immortality through the gospel’. It was through the perfect and eternal sacrifice of the Son that ‘life’ (ZOE) meaning: life literally or figuratively and ‘immortality’ (APHHTRSIA) meaning: incorruptibility, immortality was brought forth ‘through the gospel’. The Good News brings ‘life and immortality’, to ALL who receive it with a humble repentant heart.

11 for which I was appointed a proclaimer and an apostle and a teacher

Paul reminds Timothy of what was his calling in life, for he was ‘appointed’ (TITHEMI) meaning: to place, to lay aside. From the very beginning Paul was called to be a ‘proclaimer’ (KERUX) meaning: a herald of divine truth and also an ‘apostle’ (APOSTOLOS) meaning: a delegate, an ambassador, of this glorious gospel.

Acts 9

 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

 16 "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

NKJV

If you are a true child of God may you never lose sight of your calling to be a witness of Jesus (Acts 1:8).

back to the menu

Second Timothy

04 – The example of Paul

2 Tim. 1 :12-14

12 for which reason also I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted until that day. 13 Hold fast to the pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

(LEB)

After telling Timothy to persevere and also giving him the reason why he should, Paul now turns to himself as an example of what he should follow. It is one thing to follow Christ and have him as our perfect example, it is another thing to see what the power of Christ can do in the life of a person such as Paul. May we never forget that Paul was a murderer and a religious fanatic. Today he would easily fall into the category of being a terrorist!

Paul speaks of the ‘reasons also I suffer these things’. In verse eight, Paul invites Timothy to suffer along-side of him. He recalls to Timothy’s memory that he IS SUFFERING for Christ. The word ‘reason’ (AITIA) means: a cause, a logical reason, a motive. He told Timothy that his calling was to be a preacher and an apostle (v.11) and it is because of his calling, that is the precise reason ‘I suffer these things’. Now the word ‘suffer’ (PASCHO) means: to feel, to suffer usually in a painful way. He was suffering, being old and chained in a dungeon cell. His freedom had been taken away from him, his friends were all gone except for one – Luke (2 Tim. 4:11). It was because of the gospel that he was waiting for his death sentence. He could tell Timothy: ‘look at me and what I suffer for Christ’.

(v.12) …But I am not ashamed, because I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted until that day. 

He has just written Timothy to not to be ashamed of him. Here Paul gives the reason why he is not ashamed of the gospel. The word ‘ashamed’ (EPAISCHUOMAI) means: to feel shame for something, be ashamed. Be like me Timothy and don’t be ‘ashamed’. I am not ashamed because ‘I know in whom I have believed’. I ‘know’ (EIDO) means: to see, to know, to be aware, to behold. Do you know Timothy? Have you forgotten Timothy? The word ‘believed’ (PISTEUO) means: to have faith in, to entrust, to believe. I remember in whom I have entrusted my faith – Jesus Christ! It is when we forget, that we slack in our commitment! Not only did Paul know but he also was ‘convinced’ (PEITHO) meaning: to convince, to assent, to agree. No one could take away his assurance of Christ, who he was and what he had done. This is what kept Paul above all circumstances life could throw at him. He was solidly grounded and founded on the person of Jesus Christ. Paul was convinced ‘that he is able to guard what I have entrusted until that day’. Christ was able to ‘guard’ (PHULASSO) meaning: to watch, to be on guard, to preserve. May we all remember the following words of Christ:

John 10

 28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

 30 "I and My Father are one."

 NKJV

Here we have a ‘double security’! Disciples of Christ are in his hand and also in the hand of the Father. Jesus says ‘neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hands’ so we are secure in his hand but he also says: ‘no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand’ – a double security. No wonder Jesus is able to ‘guard’ all his Father’s children. He is able to guard us ‘until that day’. The word ‘day’ (HEMERA) simply means: a day, a period, an age. I believe that Paul is either speaking of the day he will leave this earth or the day of the re-establishing of all things. Either way he is assured that he is well protected until he is with the Lord one way or the another.

13 Hold fast to the pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

Two recommendations are given. The first is to ‘hold fast’ (ECHO) meaning: to hold, to be able to hold. What Timothy needed to do was to hold on tightly ‘to the pattern’ (HUPOTUPOSIS) meaning: a sketch, a form or pattern. What Paul had outlined in his teachings – this is what Timothy had to hold on to tightly. When we loosen our grip on God’s word we slip automatically down! These were ‘sound words’ and not echoes of human thought or philosophy. The word ‘sound’ (HUGIAINO) means: to have sound health, wholesome and the word ‘words’ (LOGOS) means: something said, the divine expression. What I have taught you and spoken to you, these words are true – so hold on to them.

Paul had given these words in ‘the faith’ (PISTIS) meaning: persuasion, credence, moral conviction and ‘love’ (AGAPE) meaning: affection, benevolence, charity. All his teachings were out of the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. May we receive this also and remember that when we speak of the Lord, we also must do this out of the very heart of Christ.

14 Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

The second recommendation Paul gives to Timothy is also meant for us. This is the second time Paul reminds Timothy concerning the spiritual gifts he has received. He called upon Timothy to ‘guard’ (PHULAX) meaning: a watcher, a sentry, a keeper. It was his duty to ‘guard’, to have a watchful eye over. Just as we guard our little children from harm by being attentive, we also need to guard ‘the good deposit’. The word ‘good’ (KALOS) means: beautiful, good, valuable. What God had given Timothy, and what God has given to all his children, the spiritual gifts – they are ‘good’. They are also intended to do good to others.

God has placed a ‘deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us’. The word ‘deposit’ (PARAKATATHEKE) means: something put down along-side. God has placed spiritual gifts in his children – they are in us. They were placed in us ‘through the Holy Spirit’. He is the agent through which these spiritual gifts come. Notice the following ‘who lives in us’. Not only are believers endowed with spiritual gifts but the Holy Spirit actually ‘lives in’ (ENOIKEO) meaning: to inhabit, to dwell in. The Holy Spirit is not ‘up there’ somewhere, he is living IN the true believer.

Before the presence of God was OUTSIDE and man needed to go to Him. Now, through Christ, God lives INSIDE and we have become holy temples of the living God.

1 Corinthians 3

 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

 NKJV

1 Corinthians 6

 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

 NKJV

May we remember who we have become!

back to the menu

Second Timothy

05 – The example of Onesiphorus

1 :15-18

15 You know this, that all those in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he refreshed me many times, and was not ashamed of my imprisonment, 17 but when he was in Rome, he diligently sought me and found me. 18 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day! And how much he served me in Ephesus you know very well.

(LEB)

In this section Paul speaks of his present condition in relationship with Christians in Rome. He was chained in prison and he needed a support system. If he did not have one, he would soon perish because of lack of care. The prison made for Rome’s worst enemies are called a Tullianum. This was a place where people waited for their execution. The Carcer was a prison for those who awaited their trials. Since Paul knew that his death was close at hand (4:6) we can believe that he was held in the Tullianum. This was literally a dungeon dug out of solid rock. It was underneath the Carcer and impossible for humans to escape.

Paul refers to the knowledge of Timothy ‘you know’ (EIDO) meaning: to see, to know, to be aware. Timothy had knowledge of Paul’s situation in Rome. We may believe that ‘news’ concerning Paul was brought from Rome by the traveling brethren. But what did Timothy know?

(v.15) …that all those in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 

Paul had been abandoned except for Luke (4:11). The word ‘all’ (PAS) means: all, any, every. It is difficult to believe that even the children of God in the church of Rome to whom he had previously wrote his greatest epistle, were not there to help him! How cold hearted can one be? Where was the love of Christ? What a model Paul is for he did not complain about this to Timothy! He writes ‘all in Asia turned away from me’. When Paul speaks of ‘Asia’ (ASIA) it means: Asia Minor usually on its Western shore. The Christians had ‘turned away’ (APOSTREPHO) meaning: to turn away or to turn back. No one came to see him or cared for him! Can you imagine your friends in Christ turning their backs on you when you are in your greatest need? Two people are mentioned. The first is Phygelus. His name means fugitive in Greek. This is the only verse where we find his name and nothing is known about him. We also find the name of Hermogenes. His name in Greek means: begotten of Mercury. He also is named once and nothing is known, about him either. What we do know is that both of them had ‘turned away from’ Paul.

16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he refreshed me many times, and was not ashamed of my imprisonment, 17 but when he was in Rome, he diligently sought me and found me. 18 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day! And how much he served me in Ephesus you know very well.

These three verses talk about another Christian, the one we should all look upon as an inspiration – his name was Onesiphorus. His name means: useful or profitable. He carried his name well for he certainly was profitable for Paul! We can see  that Onesiphorus was a Christian from Ephesus (1:18) who took care of Paul while he was imprisoned.

Paul prayed a blessing upon him: ‘May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus’. He turned to the ‘Lord’ (KURIOS) meaning: supreme in authority, God, Lord, in prayer. No one should turn to anyone but the Lord in prayer. It is blasphemous to call on anyone else – it is idolatry! He hopes that God will ‘grant mercy’. Now the word ‘grant’ (DIDOMI) means: to give, to bestow, to bring forth. Paul asks the good Lord to give something to Onesiphorus’ family and that is ‘mercy’ (ELEOS) meaning: compassion, tender mercy. He desires God to place his hand upon his family ‘to the household’ (OIKOS) meaning: a dwelling, a family, a house. God’s blessing was for all his family, each and every person. I wonder how many blessings have been given to one’s family because of the ‘good works’ that one does for those in need? May this thought encourage us to care for others.

Paul was more than willing to bless Onesiphorus because ‘he refreshed me many times’. The word ‘refreshed’ (ANAPSUXIS) means: properly, a recovery of breath, revival. We do not know what Onesiphorus exactly did for Paul but the testimony of Paul was that it was like a breath of fresh air in his life. I can imagine the smile on Paul’s face when the door of the dungeon opened and the guards allowed Onesiphorus to visit Paul. This reminds me of the words of Christ:

Matthew 25

 36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

NKJV

Onesiphorus visited Paul not only once but ‘many times’ (POLLAKIS) meaning: many times, frequently, often. We can imagine that it was like visiting an elderly parent at the retirement home a few times a week. May we also regard it our caring duty to visit those who are lonesome or in need.

(v.16) …and was not ashamed of my imprisonment, 

If Paul told Timothy not to be ashamed of his chains (1:8), he now tells Timothy that Onesiphorus was not! What Timothy seemed to lack, Onesiphorus did not. The word ‘ashamed’ (EPAISCHUNOMAI) means: to feel shame for something. This man was a Christian and acted like a Christian. As Christ was not ashamed of us (Heb. 2:11) and God – the Father is also not ashamed of us (Heb. 11:16) Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul. He was not ashamed of his ‘imprisonment’ (HALUSIS) meaning: a fetter, a bond, chains. May we never be ashamed of brothers or sisters who suffer for the name of Christ!

17 but when he was in Rome, he diligently sought me and found me. 

In this verse, Paul tells Timothy in what way Onesiphorus was not ashamed of him, for we see that he sought him out. Here we read ‘but when he was in Rome’. We can understand that Onesiphorus was not normally in Rome. This was not his home town. As I wrote before Onesiphorus was from Ephesus and might have intentionally left to seek Paul and come to his aid. If this is the case one needs to remember that the modern distance from Ephesus to Rome by land and sea is 2023 km. If you travel only by land it is 2555 km. Imagine how difficult, dangerous and costly it would have been for Onesiphorus to travel that distance! Can you also imagine how long this trip would take?

When he landed in Rome ‘he diligently sought me and found me’. The words ‘diligently sought’ mean: very promptly, meticulously, thoroughly. He had a specific intent and was not going to be led astray by the ‘big city’ and all that it offers. He had a ‘one track mind’. We would say that he was ‘goal oriented’ and his goal was to find Paul and he did. Paul writes ‘and found me’. The word ‘found’ (HEURISKO) means: to find, to get, attain. Even if Paul was locked away in Rome’s deepest dungeon, this fine Christian man found Paul! Remember what Jesus said:

Matthew 7

 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

NKJV

Do you give up after a short while? Do you get tired of trying and trying again? Do you abandon your ministries or things that you know the Lord God wants you to be doing? If so, have a change of heart and become like Onesiphorus!

18 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day! And how much he served me in Ephesus you know very well.

Paul calls upon the Lord for another blessing This time it was to ‘find mercy from the Lord in that day!’ It was again for ‘mercy’ (ELEOS) meaning: compassion, tender mercy but this time NOT for here on earth as with his family in verse sixteen. But rather when he will meet the Lord face to face at the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10). That is the ‘day’ (HEMERA) meaning: a literal day, an age, a specific time, that Paul is referring to.

2 Corinthians 5

 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

NKJV

In a way, Paul asked the Lord not to forget all that Onesiphorus had done in his favor. May all true children of God remember that they also will pass before this tribunal, not to be judged for our sins (for Christ died on the cross in our stead) but for rewards for our deeds in the Lord’s name.

Paul tells the Lord ‘how much he served me’. This was dear to his heart. The presence of Onesiphorus and his help and comfort had a great price in his eyes. He ‘served’ (DIAKONEO) meaning: to be an attendant, to wait upon. He served Paul manifesting that Christ was truly living in him. He did this ‘very well’ (BELTION) meaning: better, very well. Onesiphorus took his ministry to heart and did a good job at it.

Paul states that it was in ‘Ephesus’ that Onesiphorus had also served him. We know by this that they had met there. We can only imagine the friendship that was built between both men.

I also would like you to notice that behind all of this it was the Lord God who placed in Onesiphorus’ heart to go, find Paul and be at his service. This encourages me because it tells me that even though you are locked up in an underground cell God sees and God knows and God can bring his comforting hand. He sent a man that was 2555 km. away and brought him to Rome just for Paul. If you are in a difficult situation, no matter what it is, trust that God sees, knows and is able to bring aid and support you in your times of trouble!

back to the menu

Second Timothy

06 – The illustration of a man of God

2:1,2

2 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also. 

(LEB)

As you may have noticed, I sometimes like to break down the Scriptures into smaller sections. In this one, Paul reminds Timothy to emulate him in his Christian ministry. We all need people who we can look up to and we all need to also be models for the ones around us.

After speaking about Onesiphorus and how he was a true encouragement in his life Paul now turns to Timothy by saying ‘You’. A bit like saying ‘Hey Timothy!’ The word ‘therefore’ (OUN) means: accordingly, certainly, verily, therefore. It is a link between what he has just written and what will be said. Paul had given the example of Phygellus and Hermogenes who had abandoned him and also of Onesiphorus the good servant. It may be that Paul is subtly saying: ‘who are you going to be like?’ It seems that Timothy had weakened in faith and needed to take a stand.

Paul calls him ‘my child’ (TEKNON) meaning: a child, daughter or son. Again, we see the very close relationship he had with Timothy. One can say that Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father. As his ‘father’ he encourages Timothy with the following:

(v.1) …be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 

The word ‘strong’ (ENDUNAMOO) means: to empower, strength, be strong. The word ‘grace’ (CHARIS) can also mean: the divine influence upon the heart. From what I see, here is something that all true believers experience – let me explain. The ‘grace’ of God is there and is always surrounding us. From our new birth to our last breath we are enveloped by God’s favor. What I also see is that the true believer has a responsibility towards this amazing grace. He has to be ‘strong’ in it. This is our obligation. The Lord God is favorable to his child and gives him all that he needs to live a life worthy of his calling. The child needs to believe this, apply it to himself and to walk in faith. This ‘grace’ is only found ‘in Christ Jesus’. It is as though the Father has deposited all the ‘grace’ that we will ever need in the person of his beloved Son. What we need to do is to approach the Son in humility to receive all the grace we need to carry on. Remember what Paul wrote:

Philippians 4

 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 NKJV

Imagine an apple tree filled with its ripe fruit with hundreds of apples covering the entire tree. The farmer opens his gate and invites you to walk in his apple grove and to taste its fruits. What will you do? Will you accept his invitation and enjoy the fruits or will you sit there wishing you could have some apples? God invites you to take all the grace you need but you have to come to him to receive it.

2 and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also. 

What is one of the reasons why Timothy had to strengthen himself in God’s grace? It was because of his ministry. He had to do something which was sometimes not pleasant. He had to take all the things, the sermons, the exhortations, the proclamation of the Good News that ‘you have heard’ (AKOUO) meaning: to hear, to come to the ears. All that he had been taught ‘from me’ Here Paul speaks of himself. Timothy had been traveling with Paul for years and had the privilege of being taught by him. Just as Paul learned at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) he passed on his knowledge to Timothy who also was ‘at his feet’. Can you imagine how it must have been?

This knowledge, all that he had been taught was not given in secret for it is written ‘in the presence of many witnesses’. Just as Jesus taught to anyone who desired to listen, Paul preached in the open. Nothing was to be hidden or only for a ‘special group’ of people. Paul preached openly and there were ‘many witnesses’ to attest to this. The word ‘many’ (POLUS) means: much, many, abundant and the word ‘witnesses’ (MARTUS) means: a witness, a martyr.

Timothy had to do something with all the teachings he had heard from Paul. He was not called to write them down but rather to ‘entrust these things’ (PARATHEKE) meaning: a deposit, to trust, commit to. Just as he received from Paul, he had to pass it down to others. These others were the ‘faithful people’. There are people who see the instruction from God as a more precious gift than others do. Timothy had to seek them out and deposit in them a deeper knowledge of the Scriptures.

(v.2) …who will be competent to teach others also. 

The idea was to pass down what he knew so that others could pass down what they had learned. The word ‘competent’ (HIKANOS) means: to arrive, competent. Some had a greater ability to learn and teach than others. These are the ones you should specifically search for and invest yourself in.

To master this task, it would take God’s grace. Are we learning the Scriptures? Are they precious to us? Are we also passing this knowledge and experience on to the next generation?

back to the menu

Second Timothy

07 – A soldier, an athlete and a farmer

2:3-7

3 Suffer together with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one who serves as a soldier is entangled in the activities of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. 5 And also if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The farmer who works hard must be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding in all these things.

(LEB)

In this section Paul will give three examples of people who work hard at what they do even to a point of enduring hardship. Is this Paul’s way of showing Timothy that he has relaxed his standards as a Christian leader? If these three categories of laborer’s work hard at what they do – how much more should you and I also work hard for the Lord!

3 Suffer together with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 

This is Paul’s general opening statement, this is what he wants Timothy to remember. The word ‘suffer’ (KAKOPATHEO) means: to undergo hardships, to endure afflictions. Christian life and Christian ministry are not for the feeble hearted! Suffering is part of the very core of being a child of God (1 Peter 3:14). Paul wrote this concerning suffering:

Philippians 1

 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

NKJV

Paul calls Timothy to suffer ‘together with me’. He is reminding Timothy that while he is asking Timothy to be ready to suffer – he is truly suffering, chained in a dungeon and waiting for death. Paul indicates what suffering is all about. I’m living it to its utmost! So, suffer with me Timothy ‘as a good soldier of Christ’. The word ‘good’ (KALOS) means: well (usually morally), honest. Be a good moral soldier of Christ and don’t avoid suffering for it is part of being a soldier.

Having introduced the illustration of a soldier, Paul will now use this and give his first example: a soldier

4 No one who serves as a soldier is entangled in the activities of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. 

Paul is absolutely positive when he writes ‘No one’ (OUDEIS) meaning: not even one, none, nothing. I wonder if each example has to do with a different aspect of Timothy’s life? Could it be that Paul is giving examples or hints of where Timothy needs to ‘step up’ in his Christian life?

There is not a ‘soldier’ (STRATEUOMAI) meaning: to serve in a military campaign that does this. What is Paul speaking about? No soldier ‘is entangled’ (EMPLEKO) meaning: to intertwine, to be involved with. This gives the picture of doing more than one thing at a time or being busy with things that takes you away from your first mission. A soldier is a soldier and should be occupied with soldier - things. That’s why Paul speaks of ‘activities of everyday life’. The word ‘activities’ (PRAGMATEIA) means: a transaction, negotiation. You cannot be a good soldier if your heart in not in warfare but in ‘everyday life’. Jesus spoke of something similar when he said:

Matthew 6

 24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

 NKJV

A soldier has only one person to please and that is his commander. That is why Paul writes that a soldier should not be occupied with everyday things. By doing so he will ‘please the one who enlisted him’. The word ‘please’ (ARESKO) means: to be agreeable, to please while the word ‘enlisted’ (STRATOLOGEO) means: to select as a warrior, enlist in the army. The one who enlisted you will be pleased with you if you keep your focus on what a soldier should do. Was Timothy slowly slipping away from the one who ‘enlisted him’? Was he taking more time with the things of this world than Paul would have liked him to?

5 And also if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

The second example Paul gives is that of an athlete. Here we see that Paul introduces the idea of entering into a competition ‘if anyone competes’. The word ‘competes’ (ATHLEO) means: to contend in the competitive games. Paul knew about these competitive events – everyone did! There were the Greek Olympics which went back to the seventh century B.C., which consisted of different sports such as running, jumping, disc throwing, boxing, equestrian events and wrestling. Rome also held competitive events in the colosseum. These were popular events which were greatly attended! Such events were popular all across the Roman empire.

Paul points out that an athlete ‘is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules’. Being ‘crowned’ (STEPHANOO) means: to adorn the honorary wreath. For the competing slaves it even meant that they could be set free and even become a Roman citizen! All athletes lived and worked out in their personal sport just to receive this honor. But they had to compete ‘according to the rules’. The word ‘according’ (NOMIMOS) meaning: legitimately, lawfully. There was NO crown if you cheated. You had to compete with the rules that were established. If not, then you were disqualified. Had Timothy lost sight of the rules that the Lord had set down to be qualified to represent him and have authority in the local church? Was he beginning to ‘cut corners’ and cheat a little? We do not know but in the context of First Timothy and also this second letter we may have certain concerns for Timothy.

The third and final example is one of a farmer.

6 The farmer who works hard must be the first to receive a share of the crops. 

The word ‘farmer’ (GEORGOS) means: a land worker, a farmer. Paul knows how difficult it is to work the land for it had been cursed by God!

Genesis 3

 17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.

 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.

 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."

NKJV

A farmer ‘works hard’ (KOPIAO) meaning: to feel fatigued, to work hard. He has to, for his harvest depends on it! From early in the morning to sunset, a farmer works the land. Because he does this he should be ‘the first to receive a share of the crops’. His work should be rewarded by being the first one to take advantage of his harvest. Had Timothy neglected to work hard for the Lord? Again, we do not know. What we do know is that Paul is concerned and gives Timothy a message with these three examples.

7 Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding in all these things.

Paul wants Timothy to reflect on what he is saying and uses the word ‘consider’ (NOIEO) meaning: to exercise the mind. Think about what I am saying, contemplate and reason things out. Surely you understand what I am saying? In case you don’t have a clue ‘the Lord will grant you understanding in all these things’. If you don’t understand, turn to the Lord and he will ‘grant’ (DIDOMI) meaning: to give, to bestow, to bring forth, all the ‘understanding’ (SUNESIS) meaning: a mental putting together. Ask God to guide you and help you put all these things together and he will!

We also may need to reflect on this section. Are we too busy with trivial things that have no eternal value? Do we accept the rules that the Lord wishes us to live by? Do we work hard for the kingdom of God? If you need help to figure these things out – ask the Lord.

back to the menu