2 Timothy Two

2Tim.2:[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

[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.

The subject is strong in the grace. Not the legalistic ways of those who would put Christians under the law. Apostle Paul has continuously struggled with the Jews and Christians who wish to place the burden of the Jewish law on believers. The doctrines taught by the Apostle are meant to be followed by the church throughout the centuries.

The first requirement for stewards is faithfulness. If we ourselves are unfaithful then how may we be expected to instruct others?

Verses [3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

[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.

Verses [5] And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

[6] The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

We find three comparisons for the men who are faithful and have been taught. Compared to a soldier, an athlete and a farmer.

As a soldier we must endure the hardships and be dedicated to our cause. (The spreading of the gospel and instruction of believers) Concentrated always on the glory of the Lord. Knowing we are in a spiritual battle with spiritual enemies. Our enemy is not the unsaved but rather their father the devil. Note in this example the purpose to please God.

As an athlete one who has practiced their faith and prepared for the contest providing all things honest in the sight of all men, saved and unsaved alike. You don’t win a race without trying and putting forth maximum effort. This requires training and dedication. Note in this example there is reward for those who do it right.

As a farmer one who plants the seed of the word in speech and deed. Tending to the crops and nurturing the crop. Note again the reward for the work of the Lord is the reaping.

Verses [7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

[8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

The emphasis here is on the Kingship and the right to the throne of Israel by being of the seed of David and not just Abraham. We Christians are also considered of the seed of Abraham but the emphasis here is on the king of Israel. This being the one of promise to ascend to the throne of Israel forever. Yes the resurrection is our guarantee of victory over death but it is also the guarantee to the nation of Israel that they have a future with the Eternal Son Jesus Christ sitting on the throne of Israel. If Jesus were dead He could never return to occupy His throne and rule over the resurrected nation of Israel.

Acts 2: [29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

Verses [9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

There should be NO doubt Paul is speaking of lost people in these verses. Continuing the theme of Israel and Jesus their King. What lost people does the New Testament speak of as “elect”? What people does the Apostle Paul refer to as “elect”? What people does the Apostle Paul want to be converted more than any other? What people will Jesus be a King over?

Rom.11: [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

Rom.9:[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

[2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

[3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

[4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Read on:

Verse [11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

This verse is speaking to the resurrection of the nation of Israel. The time when the nation of Israel will ascend to the ruling of nations and Jesus, the son of David, (verse 8) will sit upon his “father’s” throne in Jerusalem. The “we” being the elect of God, those who are the Jews! This foretold in Isaiah 26:

Isa.26: [19] Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

 

Verse  [12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

 

Mt 10: [31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

[32] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

[33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

[34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Jesus speaking to the Jews and the future war for the nation of Israel when Jesus returns and destroys the anti-Christ and all those who have rejected Him and received the mark of the Beast.

In the future the Jews will once again have the opportunity to receive Jesus as King. Those who during the Tribulation have the testimony of Jesus and the commandments of God. Those who are martyred during the Tribulation. (Rev. 20:5-6-Rev 3:5-Rev 6:10-11) ]

1 Pe 2:4,7     Ps. 118:16-22     Is 28:14-18   Mt 21:42

[13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Jesus is a JEW! No denying the chosen people of God for He Himself is one! His promises concerning the Jews have in no way diminished. The covenants, promises and ELECTION are a promise to the Jews, for the Jews and about the Jews!

Rom.11: [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

Read on:

[14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

Here the pronoun “them” is used. According to the context of everything so far discussed the “them” is the Jews the unsaved elect. The “they”, “them” and “we” of the proceeding verses are the Jews of which Jesus was born of and King of. (Verse 8 the heir of King David ) They are the “elect” which as yet are unsaved. Timothy is to preach the GRACE of God and not the law. Who was it throughout the early ministry which preached the law for Gentile converts? The Jews who had been converted! Timothy is to remind them the present gospel is of GRACE AND GRACE ALONE NOT OF WORKS.

 

Verse [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We must in this Age divide scripture between physical promises made to the Jews and Spiritual promises made to Christians. We must rightly divide between Jewish laws and Christian doctrine. Those benefits which have been obtained by Christians through the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 1) There is a division of Scripture between Jew and Gentile, Old Testament saint and New testament Christian. All scripture is profitable BUT only if properly APPLIED!

[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

[17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

[18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Certainly it should be obvious Hymenaeus and Philetus did NOT teach the Christian Resurrection had past NOR the end of time Resurrection had past! How stupid would that be? In context of the passage they were saying the resurrection of the nation of Israel had PAST! More likely than not they also taught the nation’s position with God was done and the church had supplanted rather than joined into the blessedness of Israel.

Check these passages: Revelation 20:5-6(Mt 27:52-53//Is 26:19///Hos 5:13-6:3////Jer. 23:1-8////Ez 37:21-28////Ez 20:40-44 (rescued NOT because of their righteousness but because of God’s promises))

Rom.11:[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

Isa.49:[6] And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Amos.9:[11] In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

Hos.6:[2] After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.   ( also Ho. 5:14-15)

Is 26:13-19

 

[19] Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

What foundation? The law, the prophets and Old Testament saints was the foundation. Not the foundation upon which the church is built but the nation of Israel and the promises made to them by the Father. The Lord knows which Jews are His and we who are Christians live a separated life. Notice the verse has TWO sentences indicating there is a definite break between God knowing who are His and Christians. We will be united into one household of God. (The sealing of the Jews is spoken of in Revelation 7 along with the raptured Gentiles) After the Rapture there will be 144,000 Jews sealed upon the basis of their righteousness and love for God. This remnant will be the beginning of the Resurrection of Israel as the people of God.

[20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

[21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

[22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

[23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

[25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

[26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

In summation of the chapter Paul instructs Timothy the proper Christian walk and attitude as a teacher of rightly divided truth. Notice the purity of walk is a personal decision not one of God’s imposed will. The foolish insist the Christian walk under the Law of Moses but we who are believers walk in love under the direction and submission to the Holy Spirit within us.

People who oppose themselves are those teaching such things as the law as a means of walk or teaching God is done with Israel.