2 Timothy 2:1-7

Paul Encourages Timothy To Find His Strength In The Unmerited Favour And Compassion Of Christ And To Respond By Genuinely Obedient Service (2 Timothy 2:1-7 ).

After first of all pointing out to Timothy his resources in Christ the emphasis in the first part of this passage is on being faithful, strong and enduring. For the very purpose of the provision of the resources by Christ is in order to enable an obedient response from His people. All the riches of the unmerited favour and compassion of Christ Jesus are available to each Christian, through which he or she can be empowered (endynamited) for what lies ahead if they will but look to Him and trust Him. But in response they must be faithful, obedient and hardy, and ready to steadfastly endure.

Analysis.

a You therefore, my child, be strengthened (empowered) in the grace which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).

b And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

c Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3).

d No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:4).

c And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, unless he has contended lawfully (or ‘in accordance with the rules’) (2 Timothy 2:5).

b The husbandmen who labours must be the first to partake of the fruits (2 Timothy 2:6).

a Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things (2 Timothy 2:7).

Note that in ‘a’ Timothy is to be empowered in Christ Jesus, and in the parallel he is to receive understanding from the Lord. In ‘b’ he is to establish and train a group of teachers to labour in God’s vineyard, and in the parallel it is the vinedresser who labours who must be the first to partake of the fruits. In ‘c’ he is to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ, and in the parallel he must compete in accordance with the rules (which include enduring hardship). Centrally in ‘d’ he is to be totally taken up with the things of Christ.