Be Strong In Grace.

BE STRONG IN GRACE.

2 Timothy 2:1-7.

2 TIMOTHY 2:1. Paul exhorts Timothy, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

In other words, in the face of the general apostasy (cf. 2 Timothy 1:15), you stand firm! The timid young man is not being encouraged to stoicism, to muster up strength from within himself. Nor are we. Elsewhere we are encouraged, ‘be strong in the LORD, and in the power of His might’ (cf. Ephesians 6:10).

This is not just passive, but involves an inward drawing of strength from “the grace” of God which is our present possession “in Christ Jesus.” This is the way forward for all who would serve the cause of Christ.

2 TIMOTHY 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.”

What Paul had received from Christ, Paul had committed to Timothy – not just on one occasion, but over the course of many years. The “many witnesses” not only attest to the truth of what was being taught, but also show that the apostolic teaching is very much in the public domain. Rather than yet another secret society.

What Timothy had received from Paul; Timothy was to pass on to “faithful men.” Such men, Paul says elsewhere, are ‘ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2). As well as “faithful” these stewards were to be ‘apt to teach’ (cf. 2 Timothy 2:24). And what the “faithful men” received; they were to teach others also.

2 TIMOTHY 2:3. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” This, of course, is a metaphor.

The first thing that “a good soldier of Jesus Christ” must do, is to “endure hardness.” We can talk all we like about ‘dedicating our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ;’ but we need to remember His warning, ‘If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you’ (cf. John 15:20). The soldier’s duty involves a commitment to undergo whatever hardships he must in order to accomplish his mission. Nobody goes into service expecting an easy time. They have to be ready to face danger at any moment of any day. The Christian who imagines that this is an easy life is perilously deceived!

2 TIMOTHY 2:4. “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.”

There is a warning here against getting “entangled” with the cares of this world. The good soldier needs to be fully available to obey every command of his officer. This does not mean that we shun secular activity altogether, but rather such “entanglements” as interfere with our service of Christ.

2 TIMOTHY 2:5. “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” This is another metaphor.

Every sport has its own rules. The same is true of the Christian walk and life. We are to “strive lawfully.” Not that we are under law, but under grace: but having been justified by God, the Holy Spirit writes God’s law upon our hearts, and we are ‘called to be holy’ (cf. 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Not that we are competing against each other: but like Timothy, we are called to ‘Fight the good fight of faith’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:12); and like Paul, we all have a course to finish, and a 'faith' to keep (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7-8). And “a crown,” indeed, ‘a crown of righteousness’ awaits us at the end.

2 TIMOTHY 2:6. “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.” This is a third metaphor.

The hardworking farmer must spend himself in labour. Having done so, he might rightfully be the first partaker of the fruits. In the Christian life there is the “fruit” of holiness. We grow in holiness as we ‘walk in the Spirit’ (cf. Galatians 5:16); and if we ‘sow to the Spirit’ we shall ‘of the Spirit reap life everlasting’ (cf. Galatians 6:9).

Another “fruit” is the harvest of souls won for Christ. ‘The harvest truly is plenteous, and the labourers few; Pray ye therefore the LORD of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest’ (cf. Matthew 9:37-38).

2 TIMOTHY 2:7. Paul ends this paragraph, “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”

This is how we come to an understanding of Scripture. We think it over, meditate, reflect: and as we thus apply ourselves to the task, it is the Lord who gives us understanding.