2 Timothy 3:10-15 [show] [10]You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, [11]my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. [12]Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13]while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. [14]But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15]and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
Paul’s great concern was that the gospel would continue to advance after his death. He had seen many either turn away to another to a false gospel or just simply walk away from the faith. So after detailing the spiritual decay of these persons in verses 1-9, Paul turned to exhort Timothy to “continue” in the gospel. He provides three contrasts between those who fall away and those who remain.
Matthew 28:16-20 [show] [16]Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17]And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18]And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV)
Why should anyone engage in missions? If we focus upon ourselves, then it’s not hard to make a case against it. Jesus answers our fears and concerns, however, with two powerful statements about his mission.”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” and “I am with you always.” Because of these two truths, there is nothing more foolish and fruitless than to oppose the mission of Christ–but there is also nothing more safe, wise, and profitable than to take up that mission.
2 Tim. 3:1-9 [show] [3:1]But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2]For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3]heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, [4]treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5]having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. [6]For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, [7]always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. [8]Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. [9]But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (ESV)
Spiritual deception is an ugly thing. In this first half of chapter 3, Paul describes five aspects of what this looks like within the church. After examining this text, we’ll then draw back and try to answer the question, “How does such a horrible thing happen?
2 Timothy 2:14-26 [show] [14]Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. [15]Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. [16]But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, [17]and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, [18]who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. [19]But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
[20]Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. [21]Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
[22]So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. [23]Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. [24]And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, [25]correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, [26]and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (ESV)
Paul turns to address how the man of God is to respond to the wolves in sheep’s clothing which the Lord promised, and Paul predicted would come to Ephesus. In his advice to Timothy, the apostle sets up the pattern for all God’s people in responding to false teachers, neither squabbling nor compromising, but hoping in the goodness and power of God and His purposes.
2 Timothy 2:8-13 [show] [8]Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, [9]for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! [10]Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [11]The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
[12]if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
[13]if we are faithless, he remains faithful--
for he cannot deny himself. (ESV)
Oftentimes, we see the church as a place of comfort. This is true, but it is not the whole truth. Jesus also desires the church to be the means of advancing his gospel. As this text demonstrates, when we do that, the church will become a place where we share in suffering for the gospel. There is a cost, a reward, and a promise for the church that engages in the task of advancing the gospel of Christ.
