Category: 2 Timothy

The last section brings everything to a head. Paul lays a charge of persistent, patient, faithful teaching and pastoring at the feet of Timothy, accountable to Jesus himself! These are beautiful commands, though. Preach the word. Just tell people about the Good News of Jesus. Be ready when when people expect it and when they don’t. Be honest, have integrity to tell people when they are walking away or crooked and set it right; encourage them with complete patience. That’s complete patience, fellas, not hair-trigger tolerance that overreacts when people don’t do the things we try to help them in doing. It’s not productive. Overreacting at how sinful someone else is generally comes from forgetting how sinful you are and how gracious God has been with you. Do the work, but be patient in it. (See Luke 16 on the unjust steward who refuses to give the same grace to others as he himself has received. That ends poorly for him.)

This thing about folks having itching ears is especially relevant today. People go to the Bible to have what they already think affirmed instead of coming to it looking to have it change them. If you’re not prepared to read the word of God and have it change your life, put it down, you’re not using it correctly. The problem Paul talks about here is the reason we have people justifying all kinds of nonsense (past and present) by looking for things in the Bible that will affirm what they want while ignoring the parts that put it into context or directly refute their desires.

For example, look back at 1 Timothy chapter 6, the one about the slaves. Some people used this verse in modern America to justify owning people and treating those who bear the image and likeness of God (and frankly a skin tone closer to what Jesus would have had then the gaggle of Anglo-Saxons doing this Bible study) in terrible ways. However, as we pointed out in that book, Paul lists “enslavers” as lawless and disobedient in chapter 1. Can’t just take what we want. The desire in our culture of individualism to have our opinion or feelings on one matter or another be treated as if it true and right simply because it originated from us will continue to be a serious roadblock in people getting to know Jesus. To believe in, submit to and follow Jesus is to acknowledge his authority, that he is right regardless of how you “feel” about it. If you’re not prepared to bring your entitlement in this area to die so that His authority may reign over you, then you’re not ready to live in His Kingdom, you’re just trying to rent space and open up a bakery in his lands. (As you should be aware, Jesus is fully capable of handling his own bread situation.)

But what’s our response to this? Be pissed? Put fingers in faces and bring the truth to bear in holy and righteous anger?! Nah, stay sober-minded (you’re grounded in the truth, let’s act like it). Endure suffering and do the work of an evangelist (which should be considered in this context both sharing good news and disciple-making). People often yell and cuss and waive their arms around and other stuff to try and make the thing they are saying more forceful. But the truth does its own work. Yes, some folks are wrong, but it’s often because they are deaf or don’t speak the language. Getting louder at either of these groups doesn’t help, but living with integrity and helping them see truth that matches what you’re speaking, suddenly those words will start to make sense.

Ultimately what Paul is asking Timothy to do is what he has done himself. And because of this work he is about to die. But, as always, he is ok with his life being an example, for ever since being accosted by Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), Paul has fought the good fight, kept the faith and kept running until the end (some of his best work was in prison, actually. What is hindering you from doing what God has going on in your life?) I’m struck by the endurance, here. I have trouble keeping up with anything or an extended amount of time, and that’s for things that don’t cause me any particular pain or suffering or inconvenience. But Paul can look back at the last 3 decades and comfortably say, “I’ve kept the faith”. You don’t get that way making big plans, it happens by walking one mile and then walking the next. It happens by taking the sheep out of the barn and then back into the barn, over and over and over again. Walk miles, sheep in sheep out, be faithful in the means and let God handle the ends. You live your life like you live your days. So, mind your days, keep the faith in the small things and the big thing will happen all by itself.

Paul’s reward awaits him in heaven, a crown of righteousness (it’s indistinct what exactly this means in the afterlife but, you know, I can’t imagine it’ll be a disappointment.) And, it’s not just for Paul, it’s for all who follow Jesus and await His return.

The personal instructions are interesting. It kind of reinforces the mixed world and responses that Paul is subject to in His gospel work. It’s interesting that Mark shows up here in the list after Paul and him had a falling out previously (Acts 15). Paul also wants his coat and some stuff to read (pretty normal prison action) and warns Timothy to keep an eye out for some ne’re-do-wells, including the coppersmith, who doesn’t take kindly to good news. Don’t miss Paul’s response to those who deserted him. Like Jesus, who looked down at those who mocked him and likely thought of his students that had abandoned him, Paul asks that they be forgiven, the debt they incurred by their sin be not charged against them. Can you do that? Can you think of those who have wronged you and honestly desire that the harm they have done you not be counted against them? (See above on the dangers of reading the Bible without the intention of it changing you.)

Paul ends with some specific greetings. He speaks of Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila (Acts 18), who remain an interesting couple in that she is always mentioned first. In the ancient world, order of names listed was to denote importance (note that Peter is always first in the list of disciples, no matter what gospel account you’re reading.) To have a woman be first is interesting, as well as the fact that we find her involved with helping share truth with a man named Apollos in Acts 18. These things provide a unique context to our understanding of Paul’s view on women and their role in the church. It’s one of the reasons why this topic remains a work in progress for me.

Paul desires for Timothy to come and to try to make it before winter. This is likely because it’s dangerous to travel in the winter and, of course, he’s supposed to be bring Paul a coat, which doesn’t do much good if brought after Winter.

Paul ends the letter simply, in some ways unceremoniously given the situation he’s in and the fate that is before him. Although, he did most of that earlier in this chapter (the beautiful encouragement, the final description of his own perseverance, and the reminder of how it will all end.) However, there likely isn’t anything more appropriate to leave his spiritual son with then a desire that the Lord be with him.

Where the last chapter ends with some hope that folks might be convinced of the truth of Jesus, the work laid out for Timothy remains difficult, as it has been for Paul. Again, when Paul says “last days”, the implication isn’t that it’s only a week or two and then Jesus is expected to return. They are in the “last” days, as we are, because upon the return of Jesus we will no longer count days. So, what we are living in now are it.

What kind of difficulty? Well, folks will largely worship themselves and their own desires and abandon any concept of a greater morality that is beyond them. Notice that almost all of these descriptions are self-serving, self-focused and self-promoting. Certainly, this has always been a problem (Joshua 21:25 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This was a description of God’s people then who basically didn’t submit to a specific moral standard and just did whatever they individually thought was best.)

This is problematic, of course, because if there is no objective standard of morality (what we would say comes from God) then there is no such thing as evil. If what is good or not good is simply a matter of individual opinion, although you may find theft to be wrong, as long as the thief doesn’t see a problem with it then it’s simply what you think is good vs. what he thinks is good. And since folks tend to be easy on themselves and hard on others when it comes to how they evaluate right and wrong, the end result is a selfish free-for-all. You want to know why God gives a law, both an identity and how to live? Because what is right in my eyes comes from a very limited perspective that tends to favor me. I need someone who has the big picture to set that right and God does that.

The world Timothy is in, the one that we are still in today, continues to trend away from what God says is good and towards what each individual says is good. And Paul is right, that’s difficult, because most people don’t take kindly to the assertion that what they “feel” or “believe” to be good isn’t really good at all. That’s a perspective not changed, though, by finger pointing (if they don’t know Jesus, we can’t be surprised that they don’t trust His perspective on morality.) If it’s to change, it’s changed by Jesus, the combination of truth and love. That’s why we’re about the business we’re about.

Paul calls out fellas who deceive women, specifically women who have had difficult and likely sinful pasts and who are susceptible to false promises and the deceit of these dudes. But just like Jannes and Jambres, the names of the Egyptian magicians from Exodus 7 who were able to turn their staffs into serpents just like Moses did, they will be outed as being in opposition to God’s truth (Moses’ snake eventually eats theirs. The Bible doesn’t explain how these magicians were able to turn their staffs into snakes). Their relevance to the fellas Paul is talking about is that, despite their deceit and tricks, ultimately God will ensure that their folly is revealed to all.

In contrast, what Paul has been teaching and living is not deceit, it’s the real deal and Timothy has been following in those footsteps. One of the ways this is affirmed is in Paul’s suffering. The big list in the previous paragraph is all about selfishness; Paul’s example and constant call (echoing that of Jesus, of course) is in service to God, the message of the Good News, and to others. In fact, Paul says that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. I think that’s a key point, these dudes are deceived and their deceit upon others is an outpouring of that. That doesn’t excuse it, of course, but I say it to point out that false teaching and selfish deceit very rarely limit their damage to the individual; it spreads to the world around them with little effort.

So, that’s the work. Timothy is to continue in confidence in what he has learned and counter the deceit that is perpetuating from elsewhere (obviously, this is still our work). Where do we go for a firm foundation? Scripture. Paul says that all Scripture is “God-breathed”, basically given to us using human authors but ensured to be the accurate information God wanted communicated. Now, in the context of this letter, Scripture would most likely mean the Old Testament, that was what they actually had for Scripture. However, by this point there are probably some New Testament documents available to them as well (Matthew, for example). In either case, we protect against deceit by reading Scripture, knowing the difference between what God says is good and what is not, and soaking in the example of Jesus so that we know how we shall live in these days of difficulty; not just to survive this world but to be part of sharing Good News for its redemption.

Paul continues the same discussion in chapter 2, just in slightly different ways. We’re still talking about the grace of Jesus and still talking about carrying forth that which Paul started. In an echo from his first letter to Timothy, Paul encourages him to, “…entrust [what you have heard from me] to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Basically, make disciples. Also, remember the word “disciple” means “student”. You tend to attract the type of students who you would make a good teacher for. That means as you live your life following Jesus and take people with you, don’t surprised that you’re making different kinds of disciples that focus on different things, have different skill sets, seem adept at certain areas compared to the kinds of disciples I make. It takes all kinds boys, and God is in the all kinds business. Faithful in the means, let God handle the ends. Timothy, as a teacher, will tend to attract other teachers. Seems good!

Paul then follows with three examples illustrating ways to live for Jesus. First, the picture of a soldier, being about the King’s business and suffering, if need be, to keep on with the mission at hand. Said soldier doesn’t get distracted by other affairs because, again, He’s on the King’s business. Seems like a good reminder. King Jesus says take up your cross and follow me, how often do you get derailed to pick your undies out of your butt crack and to chat up some other loafer who has decided to not be about the King’s business? Watch your distractions, especially the value you give societal work that isn’t related to what God is up to. (In case you need an example, sometimes politics is the Lord’s work, sometimes it’s a pair of undies up your butt crack. Use some discernment.)

Second, an athlete. This one’s pretty simple, if your goal is to win a certain event, you can’t cheat, got to play by the rules. The encouragement here is to be faithful to the way things are done as laid out by the actual judge of the event. Again, faithful in the means, let God handle the ends. We can get this wrong, obviously, if we try to attain the things that represent God-honoring victory in ways that don’t honor God. We can’t gimmick the masses into heaven, we can’t hide things that Jesus says that make people uncomfortable and we can’t act like you can take on the new identity Jesus provides without giving up yourself completely to it. We are faithful in the means because they are good!

Thirdly, the hard-working farmer. This one is more ambiguous because, although Paul provides some level of explanation on the first two, he simply tells Timothy to think on this one and the Lord will provide understanding. It seems right to me here for us to do the same. However, if there are certainties in here given the two examples that came before it, the ultimate point is related to the work done in service of the King and that which is reaped from it. (Some might jump to heavenly rewards here, but I’m not sure that has to be in view. What is the product, the crop of faithful disciple making and Kingdom work? Are there things that this might point to in this life as opposed to being exclusively in the next? Just something to ponder.)

Timothy’s rightful work continues in view, with Paul reminding him of the core gospel. (His gospel? Yeah, it’s the good news that Paul brings, there’s no scandal here.) Paul is suffering, bound up, the the word of God is not bound! (I mean, that’s probably in the top 3 for tattoo options. Freakin’ right the Word is not bound!) What’s Paul getting at? This is the work, man. It’s the work for Paul, it’s the work for Timothy, heck, it’s the work of disciple making. It’ll put you in the straights, people will ignore you, or try to suppress what you’re doing. As we’ve seen elsewhere people who you think were getting it turn on you or start listening to false teaching as soon as you stop giving them attention. It’s a rough deal sometimes. However, it’s done so that folk may be saved from separation from God; that they may be forever with He who loves like no one else. (The trustworthy phrase at the tail end of this is something probably worth memorizing. It’s encouraging, true, convicting, and shows God is better than us at this relationship. All good things to remember.)

You know what’s interesting, starting in verse 14 there’s a bit of a parallel between the examples from earlier. The soldier who isn’t to get distracted with other affairs shows up in, “…not to quarrel about words…”, distracted by things that aren’t essential to what’s going on. There also is a bit of a parallel with the athlete who needs to follow the rules God lays out in, “…avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.” These aren’t slam dunks but they seem close. I’d feel more comfortable about it intentionality if there was a farm-worker-esque item here, although that would be stealing understanding that the Lord is on the hook for so I guess it wouldn’t make sense to include here either.

We covered this in the Thessalonica letters, but it sounds like that isn’t the only church who is hearing from dudes who ought to know better who are saying that the Day of the Lord has already come and gone and that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred. Why do people do that, tell lies and rile people up? Because even false knowledge is power. Once you know something someone else doesn’t, they will not only look to you to provide it but also how to react to it. It’s how you make disciples of Jesus, but it’s also how you make disciples of yourself. The distinction is the knowledge that you share and its truth. We need a great arbiter to know the difference and God provided it in Scripture. That’s how we know.

I’ll skip a full review on the vessels, just know that you’re supposed to be up to honorable use. Not sure what to pray in the morning? Try, “Lord, how can I be useful to you today? Protect me, keep me so that I may be of honorable use.” That’s not a tattoo, it’s too long and in Chinese it ends up looking like a hut on the back of a turtle.)

The chapter ends in the same vein. What does it look like to serve Jesus and others? It looks like righteousness, faith, love and peace. It looks like a pure heart, avoiding quarrels, kindness, patience in the face of evil, courage and gentleness in correction so that they may repent and know the truth and escape the snare of the devil. You know, I was thinking today of the phrase “Enoch walked with God”. Enoch didn’t sit on his brains and tell God that He was doing cool things while waiting for God to take him to heaven. God is up and about and moving and Enoch is doing the same. Salvation isn’t sedentary, it’s an active relationship with King Jesus. You can have that relationship because he allows it, no other reason. However, now that you’re friends, he gives you good gifts and Kingdom work to do. The best is yet to come, but for now. we walk with God by doing the work. We avoid sin because our King who loves us says it’s bad for us and because it brings junk into His Kingdom. What I’m getting at here is that Christians miss out on a lot of what Jesus offers because we’re sitting down yelling, “Atta boy, Jesus. Salvation! Fist pump!” Do the work. Repent. Be kind. Avoid quarrels. Make disciples. Get into prison or something. It’s not an easy life, but it’s the right one. (Did taking up a cross sound easy to you? Of course not.)

Paul opens as he always does with an identification of who he is, who he is writing to, and the offering of some combination of grace, peace and mercy. His inclusion of “…the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus…” is interesting given his current situation of imprisonment and anticipation of execution (which will indeed soon happen). Also note his description of Timothy as his “beloved child”. This has to be a difficult letter for Paul to write. Yes, he has been in tough spots before, but seems to recognize through this letter that this particular situation will end in his death. His role now is to lead Timothy to continue the work he can no longer do.

And Timothy is not just a dude he met along the journey. Paul prays all the time for him, remembering his mother and grandmother by name and the faith that they had. In light of this lineage, Paul reminds Timothy to “…fan into flame the gift of God…”. There is no restraint here. Timothy comes from a faithful family and has been taught by a faithful man who encountered the risen Jesus himself. God has given Timothy the skills and means to change the world with Good News, Paul says pour gas on that beast, carry the light boldly, with love and no fear. (Don’t miss the personal application here both as a child of God and, if it is your situation, as a parent yourself. Whatever way God has gifted you to change the world with His Good News, live it out and pass it on.)

Paul continues, ever willing to have people imitate him as he imitates Christ. He tells Timothy to not only not be ashamed of Paul’s situation, but share in it (not for the sake of being in the straights, it’s gospel work.) Keep this paragraph in context, “…his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus…”. The focus of this isn’t Paul and Timothy, it’s Jesus. Jesus was the purpose and grace that was planned since the beginning that ultimately manifested itself through his life, death, resurrection and ascension. Paul and Timothy’s work, as ours is, is to proclaim this reality. Jesus abolished death (we need say cool things like this more often); he brought life and immortality to light (something Paul might have had on his mind given his situation.)

But as can be expected, Paul is resolute. He is not ashamed of his position, he has been faithful in the means and trusts that God will appropriately handle the ends, guarding the reward that is due those who serve righteously in the Kingdom. And, he encourages Timothy to do the same. Again, the legacy Paul leaves is one we are called to as well. Who are you taking with you as you follow Jesus? Who can you encourage and say, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”? Gotta do it, fellas. Paul isn’t in prison for loving Jesus, he’s in prison for trying to make disciples.

And the consequences of doing so are sometimes too much for others to take. Sounds like the folk in Asia abandoned Paul in his needs upon his imprisonment, especially a couple cats with long names. Hermogenes sounds like doofus anyway. But not everyone cut him loose, Onesiphorus seems like a good dude, not only unashamed of Paul but seeking him out to visit. Man, visiting folks in prison has been on my mind quite a bit lately, gotta figure that out.