2Timothy 2:1-13 (web)

Characteristics of a Faithful Minister

Discipling Teacher

2:1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2:2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses,
commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Single-Minded Soldier or Athlete

2:3 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2:4 No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life,
that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
2:5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

Enduring Farmer

2:6 The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.
2:7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel,
2:9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained.
2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake,
that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2:11 This saying is faithful:
For if we died with him, We will also live with him.
2:12 If we endure, We will also reign with him.
If we deny him, He also will deny us.
2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He can't deny himself.

Discussion Questions

Discipling Teacher

How many generations are mentioned in vs 2?
What are you doing to help Christians in the future?
What long-term goals do you have for the furtherance of the kingdom?
What constitutes a "reliable" person?

Single-Minded Soldier or Athlete

What does it mean for a Christian to get involved (be entangled) with civilian affairs?
What rules must a Christian follow to receive a reward? What reward is he referring to? (see 1Cor 3:11-15)

Enduring Farmer

What "crops" is Paul referring to? (example: 1Cor 9:11-14)
What hinderances have you encountered in communicating the gospel?
vs 12,13 What is the difference between being "faithless" and "disowning" Christ?

Comment

Notice the commands
  • Entrust - (delegating responsibilities to other Christians)
  • Endure - (reacting properly to difficulties)
  • Reflect - (deriving applications from the Word of God through meditation)

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    The Conditional Clauses of verses 11-13
    2Tim 2:11 = An eternal security verse
    If we died with him, (ONCE SAVED)
    we will also live with him; (ALWAYS SAVED)
    "died" is in the aorist tense indicating something that occured at a distinct point in time. Things that occur in the perfect tense or aorist tense are not subject to change, unlike those in the present tense. And therefore once such a condition is satisfied, there is no way back.
    if we endure, we will also reign with him.
    "endure" is present tense (really "if we are presently continuously enduring")
    A Christian who does not endure will not be saved.

    The only logical way to resolve the apparent contradiction between these two verses is by a doctrine known as "The Perseverance of the Saints", which is simply the idea that once saved, God causes the believer to endure to the end as well as satisfy any other verse that appears to make salvation based on a person's performance. Such an internal change in those born of God is described in 1John 3:9.

    If we are denying him in a present continuous sense, he will deny us."denying", being in the present has its emphasis on continuity. Had it been in the aorist, it would be referring to "denying" at a point in time, like Peter had done. The condition here seems to leave no room for repentance. This may be an application of Heb 6:4-6.

    "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." The promise is not one of eternal life for this person, but rather this describes a similar type of person as one who denies him. Such a person does not have a promise of eternal life, but on the other hand, God will not react to him as he has done to God. (Again another Heb 6:4-6 type, or 2Peter 2:20-22)

    The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources


    Feb 10,2009