Study Notes 2 Timothy Protect the treasure that has been entrusted to you.
David Anderson
Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately (2:15).
On Paul’s 2 missionary journey, the church in Lystra and Iconium highly recommended a young man named Timothy (Acts 16:1-2). Paul heeds their recommendation, circumcises Timothy and takes him on missionary journeys where he trains him. At the end of Acts, Paul is imprisoned in Rome and probably released around AD 62. After Paul travels towards Macedonia, he leaves Titus in Crete (which we will study next week) and leaves Timothy in Ephesus for a very difficult assignment (1 & 2 Timothy). Unfortunately, Paul’s prediction to the Elders of the Ephesian church was realized, I know that after I am gone fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Even from among your own group men will arise, teaching perversions of the truths to draw the disciples away after them (Acts 20:29-30).
The Ephesian heresy: The Ephesian false teachers were preoccupied with myths, genealogies, useless speculation, profane chatter, absurdities, so-called “knowledge” (1 Tim. 1:4, 6, 4:7, 6:4, 20-21). They wanted to use the Law to make themselves look good, but the Law was given to condemn, convict and to show us that salvation does not come from law-keeping but by Christ’s grace (1 Tim.1:8-17). The Ephesian false teachers were also undermining the roles of men and women in the church as well (1 Tim. 2:9-15).
Asceticism was prevalent in the Ephesian heresies. This false doctrine of extreme self-denial in order to release the soul from the body caused them to prohibit marriage, abstinence from certain foods (1 Tim. 4:3-5). The false teachers were characterized by: envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, constant bickering and greed (1 Tim. 6:4- 10, 17-18).
Some like Hymenaeus and Philetus had strayed further and further from the truth, even saying the resurrection has already occurred (2 Tim. 2:16-18). The false teachers undermined the people’s faith and captivated weak women who are overwhelmed with sins (2 Tim. 3:6). The time was coming when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. And they will turn away from hearing the truth (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
In 2 Timothy, Paul is in Rome as a prisoner again (2:9), but it is not the house arrest of Acts 28 or 1 Timothy. Sometime has passed and Paul is probably imprisoned in a dark, cold, and dank dungeon in Rome. According to tradition, Paul was beheaded under Nero’s persecution at Tre Fontane near the 3 milestone on the Ostian Way in Rome
(Bruce). He declares in 2 Timothy 4:16, “At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me–may they not be held accountable for it.” Paul is lonely and awaiting his execution (4:6) and he wants Timothy to encourage him in Rome with his shepherding heart (1:4, Phil. 2:20).
As Paul faces death, his heart turns toward encouraging and equipping his dear Timothy and the difficult assignment he has given him in Ephesus. Paul’s message is unlike any of his other eleven epistles. Paul’s words to Timothy are personal, intimate, and soaked with love and care. On the eve of his own death, Paul explains to Timothy three ways to steward this wonderful gift of God’s Word that Timothy has been entrusted with.
1) So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1). Timothy needed to hear this message as much as Paul longed to have his companion with him gain (1:1-4, 4:9, 21). Timothy’s gift needed rekindling (1:6), his fear needed to be addressed head on (1:7) and be cautioned of his potential shame over the gospel and Paul (1:8). Post A.D. 64 (Rome’s burning), it was even more difficult and dangerous to be a Christian. Many of Paul’s partners chose to pull back and protect themselves from the hostility and attacks on the faith (4:10). Unlike Demas and others who were running from the suffering (4:10), Paul exhorts Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
1) Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus
2) Entrust the Word to faithful people
3) Seize your share of suffering
Stewardship begins by living it out. If you want the Word of God to have an impact on others, it needs to begin with you. You can’t give away, what you have not received. Grace is what strengthens and unfortunately our pride and natural gifts and abilities can be the greatest enemies of grace!
2) And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well (2:2). Entrust the Word to faithful people so that they will teach others. Paul is not talking about seminars or finding the right book to read. He is talking about discipleship. The reason Paul says, “and entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses” is Timothy was a living example of this discipleship process. Timothy was Paul’s spiritual child in the faith. Paul had poured months and years into Timothy.
For some reason, we picture Paul as this self-sufficient, self-starter, conquering missionary of Jesus Christ. Paul was never alone, except for those moments he was forced to be in prison. He was always pouring into people’s lives and expecting them to do the same. Paul tells Timothy to entrust, disciple and equip “faithful” people: trustworthy, faithful, and dependable.
3) Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. (2:3-7). Paul exhorts Timothy to seize or embrace his share of the suffering (1:8, 2:3, 3:12, & 4:5).
There is as Paul describes in Philippians 3:10, a fellowship of suffering. Accepting or taking your share of suffering is joining the world-wide fellowship of that suffering that of course Jesus Christ has led us in. Taking this opportunity to put yourself under this weight and carrying it with the world-wide Body of Christ. Peter says, your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering (1 Pet 5:9).
Paul gives us 3 illustrations: 1) the singular focus of the soldier, 2) the training and discipline of the athlete and 3) the hard-working farmer. Each metaphor offers a different reward: pleasing the one who recruited him, being crowned as the winner, and the first share of the crops.
Additional advice: Don’t wrangle over useless, damaging words (2:14), avoid profane chatter (2:16), avoid youthful passions (2:22), reject foolish and ignorant controversies (2:23), must not engage in heated disputed (2:24). Make every effort to be a proven worker, teaching the message of truth accurately (2:15), pursue righteousness, faithful- ness, love, and peace (2:22), be kind towards all, apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness (2:23- 24). Continue in the complete and sufficient truth of Scripture despite the coming doctrinal assault (3:1-16). Preach the Word despite the moving culture and waves of dissent; for Christ is going to judge the living and the dead (4:1- 8).
Why faithfully release God’s Word? The power of Jesus Our reward and reign In order for others to Truth will no longer
Christ over death: with Christ: obtain salvation: be tolerated & Scripture is sufficient.
Jesus is the only One who gave us this holy calling, broke the power of death and brought life and immortality. He is the One who is able to protect, strengthen, and deliver what has been entrusted (1:9-10, 12, 4:17-18).
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel (2:8).
Please the One who recruited him (soldier), crowned winner (athlete),and enjoying the first share of the crops (farmer) (2:4-7).
We will reign with Christ (2:12), Christ will judge the living and the dead (4:1) and will award the crown of righteousness (4:8).
Paul’s in prison but God's message is not imprisoned! Endure hardship so that others can obtain salvation (2:9-10).
Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will (2:25-26).
People will no longer tolerate truth but will turn to myths and will love pleasure rather than loving God (3:1-9, 13, 4:3-4).
Scripture is God breathed, complete and sufficient for every good work (3:16- 17).
