Main Verse:

2 Timothy 2:1-7

The Appeal Renewed (NIV) Be strong (NASB)

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace
that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you
have heard me say in the presence of many
witnesses entrust to reliable people who will
also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with
me in suffering, like a good soldier of
Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier
gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather
tries to please his commanding officer. 5
Similarly, anyone who competes as an
athlete does not receive the victor’s crown
except by competing according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer should be the
first to receive a share of the crops. 7
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord
will give you insight into all this.
8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the
dead, descended from David. This is my
gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to
the point of being chained like a criminal.
But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore
I endure everything for the sake of the
elect, that they too may obtain the
salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal
glory.
You therefore, my [a]son, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things
which you have heard from me in the
presence of many witnesses, entrust these
to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a
good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No 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. 5 Also if anyone competes as an
athlete, he [b]does not win the prize unless
he competes according to the rules. 6 The
hard-working farmer ought to be the first
to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider
what I say, for the Lord will give you
understanding in everything. 8 Remember
Jesus Christ, risen from the
dead, descendant of David, according to my
gospel, 9 [c]for which I suffer hardship even
to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word
of God is not imprisoned. 10 For this
reason I endure all things for the sake of
those who are chosen, so that they also may
obtain the salvation which is in Christ
Jesus and with it eternal glory.

Background:
 Paul has led Timothy to Christ during his first missionary journey
 V.1 - Here is the main admonition in the first part of the letter. Paul is calling for
Timothy to overcome his apparent drift toward weakness and renew his commitment to
his ministry.
 V.2 - Timothy maintained close association with Paul. Timothy has heard divine truth
which God had revealed through Paul. Others (like Silas, Barnabas, Luke, and others)
have attested to the divine authenticity of Paul’s teaching. Thus, this is a needed
reminder to Timothy in light of the many defections at Ephesus. 1

12 Timothy 1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and
Hermogenes. – Paul specifically mentions that those believers in Asia who had formerly received the apostle’s
ministry now forsook him. Instead of such desertion, the apostle grew stronger in the grace that was in Christ,
who was the same and would never change.
 Timothy was to take the divine revelation he had learned from Paul and teach it to other
faithful men – men with proven spiritual character and giftedness and who would in turn
pass on those truths to another generation.
 Paul to Timothy to faithful men to others = 4 generations of godly leaders – This is a
process of spiritual reproduction which became in the early church and is to continue
until the Lord returns.
 V.3 – Metaphor for a Christian life is a warfare (against the evil world system, believer’s
human nature, and Satan); In this case, Paul is dealing with the conflict against the hostile
world and the persecution.2
 V. 4- When a soldier is called to duty – he is completely severed from the normal affairs
of civilian life – in the same way, he must also be a good soldier of Jesus Christ and
refuse to allow the things of the world to distract him.
o James 4:4 - You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the
world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend
of the world becomes an enemy of God.
o John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves
the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from
the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but
whoever does the will of God lives forever.
 V.5 – Athlete – from the greek word athelo – expresses the effort and determination
needed to complete successfully in an athletic event – this shows the spiritual effort and
untiring pursuit of the victory. This means that the athlete’s hard work and discipline will
be wasted if he/she fails to compete according to the rules. This is a call to OBEY the
Word of God in the pursuit of spiritual victory.
 V.6 – Hard working – is from the Greek verb: “to labor to the point of exhaustion” Paul
is teaching Timothy not to be lazy or indolent, but to labor intensely with a view of the
harvest
o Colossians 1:28-29 – 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching
everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in
Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so
powerfully works in me.
o 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 - What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only
servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each

22 Timothy 2:8-9: 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of
David, according to my gospel, 9 [a]for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as
a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned; 2 Timothy 1:8: 8 So do not be
ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in
suffering for the gospel, by the power of God; 2 Timothy 3:10-11 - 10 You, however,
know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love,
endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in
Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from
all of them; 2 Timothy 3:112-13- 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in
Christ Jesus will be persecuted;
 his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it
grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but
only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters
have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
 V. 7. –Consider – this does not mean “an advice” but it denotes a clear perception, full
understanding, and careful consideration – strong admonition to give deep thought to
what he was writing
 V. 8 – Remember Jesus Christ – supreme model of faith – TEACHER, SOLDIER,
ATHLETE and FARMER.
o Timothy must follow the example of Jesus in teaching, suffering, pursuing
the prize, and planting the seeds of truth for a spiritual harvest.
o The resurrection of Jesus is the central truth of the Christian faith
 V. 9 – Paul contrasts his imprisonment for the sake of the gospel to the unfettered
power of the word of God.
 V. 10 – Those of the elect – having been chosen for salvation from before the world
began, who had not yet come to faith in Jesus Christ.
o The gospel must be proclaimed because the elect are not saved apart from faith
in Christ.
o Eternal glory is the ultimate outcome of salvation.