Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:1 - 2:7
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Ti_2:1-7
1You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
2Ti_2:1 "You therefore" This seems to relate to 2Ti_1:15-18, where Paul contrasts those who abandoned him with those who remained faithful.
▣ "my son" This refers to Paul as Timothy's father in the gospel (cf. 2Ti_1:2; 1Ti_1:2; Tit_1:4).
▣ "be strong" This can be
1. a present passive imperative, "continue to be made strong" (Word Pictures in the Greek New Testament by A. T. Robertson; A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek NT by Zerwick and Grosvenor; and Analytical Greek New Testament by Barbara and Timothy Friberg)
2. a present middle imperative, "continue to be strong" (The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised by Harold K. Moulton and the Charles B. Williams translation).
Does the believer participate in the empowering, or does God do the empowering? This is the tension between the sovereignty of God and the free will of humans. In the NT both are involved in salvation and the Christian life. God deals with fallen mankind in a covenant relationship. There are both rights and responsibilities, requirements and privileges! Grace (i.e., divine initiative) is always priority, but a human response is mandated!
hyperlink
2Ti_2:2 "the things you have heard from me" Timothy is to pass on Paul's Apostolic teachings, not his own personal opinions or theories (cf. 2Ti_1:13, see Special Topic at 2Ti_1:14).
▣ "in the presence of many witnesses" This phrase could mean
1. Timothy's ordination sermon (cf. 2Ti_1:6; 1Ti_4:14)
2. what Timothy heard Paul teach he also heard confirmed by other prophets/teachers
3. Timothy heard Paul preach/teach the same truths many times
▣ "entrust these" This is an aorist middle imperative. This is the same word used in 2Ti_1:12; 2Ti_1:14 and 1Ti_1:18. See note at 2Ti_1:12 and 1Ti_1:18.
NASB, NKJV "to faithful men"
NRSV "to faithful people"
TEV, NJB "to reliable people"
This is the Greek noun pistis translated into English as "faith," belief" or "trust." Here it is used as an adjective, pistos, in the OT sense of trustworthy, faithful, hopefully discerning potential church leaders. This is the principle of delegation and multiplication. Jesus spent His time on a select few so as to reach many through them. Two wonderful books which develop this concept are The Master Plan of Evangelism and The Maser Plan of Discipleship, both by Robert E. Coleman.
▣ "who will be able" Christian preachers'/teachers' competency/adequacy comes from
1. God Himself, cf. 2Co_2:17; 2Co_3:5-6
2. their having received/believed Apostolic truth
Adequacy does not come from one's intelligence or education or personality type. We must be faithful communicators of God's word/truth!
2Ti_2:3 "Suffer hardship with me" This is an aorist active imperative. It has been a recurrent theme (cf. 2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_1:12; 2Ti_2:3; 2Ti_2:9; 2Ti_4:5). See fuller note at 2Ti_1:8. Ministry often causes a reaction from a lost neighbor, civil authority or culture.
▣ "as a good soldier" Paul often described the Christian life in military (cf. v.4) or athletic (cf. v.3) metaphors (cf. Rom_13:12; 2Co_6:7; 2Co_9:7; 2Co_10:4; Eph_6:11-17; Php_2:25; Phm_1:2; 1Ti_1:18; 1Ti_6:12; 2Ti_4:7).
2Ti_2:4 "No soldier. . .athlete. . .farmer" Paul uses three occupational examples to express his encourage-ment to Timothy.
▣ "entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life" This is a present middle participle which emphasizes continuing actions on the part of the subject. It is not that secular things are bad, they just cannot be priority or ultimate (cf. 2Pe_2:20). Leaders must maintain a ministry focus!
2Ti_2:5 "if" This is a third class conditional sentence which speaks of potential action.
▣ "competes according to the rules" This was used of professional, full-time athletes. If a competitor deviates from the rules, he/she is disqualified (cf. 1Co_9:24-27).
2Ti_2:6 "the hard-working farmer" Paul uses three strenuous professional examples:
1. soldiers fight for their commander
2. athletes strive within the rules to win a crown
3. farmers work hard to partake of the fruit of their crops
All involve commitment, effort, patience and suffering! All receive their due reward (cf. Pro_27:18).
2Ti_2:7 "Consider what I say" This is present active imperative which implies "continue to think through this carefully." Notice the continuing play between human responsibility and God's gracious provision.
▣ "the Lord will give you understanding in everything" The Lord, by means of the Holy Spirit, will give His people understanding (cf. Joh_14:16; Joh_16:13). This may reflect the new covenant of Jer_31:31-34 (esp. 2 Tim. 2:33-34).
This surely does not refer to specific, complete knowledge in every area of life, but a full and complete knowledge of the gospel and its implications. The Spirit provides believers with all the knowledge they need to live a life pleasing to God.