Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 2 Timothy » Chapter 2 » Verse 1-26

2 Timothy 2:1-26 King James Version (KJV)

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.


2 Timothy 2:1-26 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Thou G4771 therefore, G3767 my G3450 son, G5043 be strong G1743 in G1722 the grace G5485 that is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424

2 And G2532 the things G3739 that thou hast heard G191 of G3844 me G1700 among G1223 many G4183 witnesses, G3144 the same G5023 commit thou G3908 to faithful G4103 men, G444 who G3748 shall be G2071 able G2425 to teach G1321 others G2087 also. G2532

3 Thou G4771 therefore G3767 endure hardness, G2553 as G5613 a good G2570 soldier G4757 of Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547

4 No man G3762 that warreth G4754 entangleth himself G1707 with the affairs G4230 of this life; G979 that G2443 he may please G700 him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. G4758

5 And G1161 if G1437 a man G5100 also G2532 strive G118 for masteries, yet is he G4737 not G3756 crowned, G4737 except G3362 he strive G118 lawfully. G3545

6 The husbandman G1092 that laboureth G2872 must be G1163 first G4413 partaker G3335 of the fruits. G2590

7 Consider G3539 what G3739 I say; G3004 and G1063 the Lord G2962 give G1325 thee G4671 understanding G4907 in G1722 all things. G3956

8 Remember G3421 that Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 of G1537 the seed G4690 of David G1138 was raised G1453 from G1537 the dead G3498 according to G2596 my G3450 gospel: G2098

9 Wherein G1722 G3739 I suffer trouble, G2553 as G5613 an evil doer, G2557 even unto G3360 bonds; G1199 but G235 the word G3056 of God G2316 is G1210 not G3756 bound. G1210

10 Therefore G1223 G5124 I endure G5278 all things G3956 for G1588 the elect's G1588 sakes, G1223 that G2443 they G846 may G5177 also G2532 obtain G5177 the salvation G4991 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 with G3326 eternal G166 glory. G1391

11 It is a faithful G4103 saying: G3056 For G1063 if G1487 we be dead with G4880 him, we shall G4800 also G2532 live with G4800 him:

12 If G1487 we suffer, G5278 we shall G4821 also G2532 reign with G4821 him: if G1487 we deny G720 him, he also G2548 will deny G720 us: G2248

13 If G1487 we believe not, G569 yet he G1565 abideth G3306 faithful: G4103 he cannot G3756 G1410 deny G720 himself. G1438

14 Of these things G5023 put them in remembrance, G5279 charging G1263 them before G1799 the Lord G2962 that they strive G3054 not G3361 about words G3054 to G1519 no G3762 profit, G5539 but to G1909 the subverting G2692 of the hearers. G191

15 Study G4704 to shew G3936 thyself G4572 approved G1384 unto God, G2316 a workman G2040 that needeth not to be ashamed, G422 rightly dividing G3718 the word G3056 of truth. G225

16 But G1161 shun G4026 profane G952 and vain babblings: G2757 for G1063 they will increase G4298 unto G1909 more G4119 ungodliness. G763

17 And G2532 their G846 word G3056 will eat G2192 G3542 as G5613 doth a canker: G1044 of whom G3739 is G2076 Hymenaeus G5211 and G2532 Philetus; G5372

18 Who G3748 concerning G4012 the truth G225 have erred, G795 saying G3004 that the resurrection G386 is past G1096 already; G2235 and G2532 overthrow G396 the faith G4102 of some. G5100

19 Nevertheless G3305 the foundation G2310 of God G2316 standeth G2476 sure, G4731 having G2192 this G5026 seal, G4973 The Lord G2962 knoweth G1097 them that are G5607 his. G846 And, G2532 Let G868 every one G3956 that nameth G3687 the name G3686 of Christ G5547 depart G868 from G575 iniquity. G93

20 But G1161 in G1722 a great G3173 house G3614 there are G2076 not G3756 only G3440 vessels G4632 of gold G5552 and G2532 of silver, G693 but G235 also G2532 of wood G3585 and G2532 of earth; G3749 and G2532 some G3739 G3303 to G1519 honour, G5092 and G1161 some G3739 to G1519 dishonour. G819

21 If G1437 a man G5100 therefore G3767 purge G1571 himself G1438 from G575 these, G5130 he shall be G2071 a vessel G4632 unto G1519 honour, G5092 sanctified, G37 and G2532 meet G2173 for the master's use, G1203 and prepared G2090 unto G1519 every G3956 good G18 work. G2041

22 Flee G5343 also G1161 youthful G3512 lusts: G1939 but G1161 follow G1377 righteousness, G1343 faith, G4102 charity, G26 peace, G1515 with G3326 them that call on G1941 the Lord G2962 out of G1537 a pure G2513 heart. G2588

23 But G1161 foolish G3474 and G2532 unlearned G521 questions G2214 avoid, G3868 knowing G1492 that G3754 they do gender G1080 strifes. G3163

24 And G1161 the servant G1401 of the Lord G2962 must G1163 not G3756 strive; G3164 but G235 be G1511 gentle G2261 unto G4314 all G3956 men, apt to teach, G1317 patient, G420

25 In G1722 meekness G4236 instructing G3811 those that oppose themselves; G475 if G3379 God G2316 peradventure G3379 will give G1325 them G846 repentance G3341 to G1519 the acknowledging G1922 of the truth; G225

26 And G2532 that they may recover themselves G366 out of G1537 the snare G3803 of the devil, G1228 who are taken captive G2221 by G5259 him G846 at G1519 his G1565 will. G2307


2 Timothy 2:1-26 American Standard (ASV)

1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Suffer hardship with `me', as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of `this' life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully.

6 The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:

9 wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.

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

11 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:

13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging `them' in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.

15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

17 and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus;

18 men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work.

22 after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

24 And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,

25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,

26 and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.


2 Timothy 2:1-26 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Thou, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that `is' in Christ Jesus,

2 and the things that thou didst hear from me through many witnesses, these things be committing to stedfast men, who shall be sufficient also others to teach;

3 thou, therefore, suffer evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ;

4 no one serving as a soldier did entangle himself with the affairs of life, that him who did enlist him he may please;

5 and if also any one may strive, he is not crowned, except he may strive lawfully;

6 the labouring husbandman it behoveth first of the fruits to partake;

7 be considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David, according to my good news,

9 in which I suffer evil -- unto bonds, as an evil-doer, but the word of God hath not been bound;

10 because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that `is' in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.

11 Stedfast `is' the word: For if we died together -- we also shall live together;

12 if we do endure together -- we shall also reign together; if we deny `him', he also shall deny us;

13 if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.

14 These things remind `them' of, testifying fully before the Lord -- not to strive about words to nothing profitable, but to the subversion of those hearing;

15 be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;

16 and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,

17 and their word as a gangrene will have pasture, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 who concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some;

19 sure, nevertheless, hath the foundation of God stood, having this seal, `The Lord hath known those who are His,' and `Let him depart from unrighteousness -- every one who is naming the name of Christ.'

20 And 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, then, any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified and profitable to the master -- to every good work having been prepared,

22 and the youthful lusts flee thou, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart;

23 and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,

24 and a servant of the Lord it behoveth not to strive, but to be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient under evil,

25 in meekness instructing those opposing -- if perhaps God may give to them repentance to an acknowledging of the truth,

26 and they may awake out of the devil's snare, having been caught by him at his will.


2 Timothy 2:1-26 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Thou therefore, my child, be strong in the grace which [is] in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also.

3 Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one going as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And if also any one contend [in the games], he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully.

6 The husbandman must labour before partaking of the fruits.

7 Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ raised from among [the] dead, of [the] seed of David, according to my glad tidings,

9 in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound.

10 For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that *they* also may obtain the salvation which [is] in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 The word [is] faithful; for if we have died together with [him], we shall also live together;

12 if we endure, we shall also reign together; if we deny, *he* also will deny us;

13 if we are unfaithful, *he* abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put in remembrance, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to have disputes of words, profitable for nothing, to the subversion of the hearers.

15 Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth.

16 But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety,

17 and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 [men] who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, [The] Lord knows those that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of [the] Lord withdraw from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, [in separating himself from them], he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.

24 And a bondman of [the] Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing;

25 in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps may sometime give them repentance to acknowledgment of [the] truth,

26 and that they may awake up out of the snare of the devil, [who are] taken by him, for *his* will.


2 Timothy 2:1-26 World English Bible (WEB)

1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

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.

3 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

6 The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.

7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Gospel,

9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained.

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.

11 This saying is faithful: For if we 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. He can't deny himself.

14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

16 But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

17 and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

19 However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord{TR reads "Christ" instead of "the Lord"} depart from unrighteousness."

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.

21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work.

22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,

25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.


2 Timothy 2:1-26 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 So then, my child, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things which I have said to you before a number of witnesses, give to those of the faith, so that they may be teachers of others.

3 Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.

4 A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army.

5 And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.

6 It is right for the worker in the fields to be the first to take of the fruit.

7 Give thought to what I say; for the Lord will give you wisdom in all things.

8 Keep in mind Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, who came back from the dead, as my good news gives witness:

9 In which I put up with the hardest conditions, even prison chains, like one who has done a crime; but the word of God is not in chains.

10 But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a true saying: If we undergo death with him, then will we be living with him:

12 If we go on to the end, then we will be ruling with him: if we say we have no knowledge of him, then he will say he has no knowledge of us:

13 If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.

14 Put these things before them, giving them orders in the name of the Lord to keep themselves from fighting about words, which is of no profit, only causing error in their hearers.

15 Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.

16 But take no part in wrong and foolish talk, for those who do so will go farther into evil,

17 And their words will be like poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Men whose ideas are all false, who say that the coming back from the dead has even now taken place, overturning the faith of some.

19 But God's strong base is unchanging, having this sign, The Lord has knowledge of those who are his: and, Let everyone by whom the name of the Lord is named be turned away from evil.

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but others of wood and earth, and some which are honoured and some without honour.

21 If a man makes himself clean from these, he will be a vessel for honour, made holy, ready for the master's use, ready for every good work.

22 But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a clean heart.

23 And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.

24 For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

25 Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,

26 And so they may get themselves free from the net of the Evil One, being made the prisoners of the Lord's servant, for the purpose of God.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Timothy 2

Commentary on 2 Timothy 2 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 2

In this chapter our apostle gives Timothy many exhortations and directions, which may be of great use to other, both ministers and Christians, for whom they were designed as well as for him.

  • I. He encourages him in his work, showing him whence he must fetch help (v. 1).
  • II. He must take care of a succession in the ministry, that the office might not die with him (v. 2).
  • III. He exhorts him to constancy and perseverance in this work, as a soldier and as a husbandman, considering what would be the end of all his sufferings, etc. (v. 3-15).
  • IV. He must shun profane and vain babblings (v. 16-18), for they will be pernicious and mischievous.
  • V. He speaks of the foundation of God, which standeth sure (v. 19-21).
  • VI. What he is to avoid-youthful lusts, and foolish and unlearned questions; and what to do (v. 22-26).

2Ti 2:1-7

Here Paul encourages Timothy to constancy and perseverance in his work: Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, v. 1. Observe, Those who have work to do for God must stir up themselves to do it, and strengthen themselves for it. Being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus may be understood in opposition to the weakness of grace. Where there is the truth of grace there must be a labouring after the strength of grace. As our trials increase, we have need to grow stronger and stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. Or it may be understood in opposition to our being strong in our own strength: "Be strong, not confiding in thy own sufficiency, but in the grace that is in Jesus Christ.' Compare Eph. 6:10, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. When Peter promised rather to die for Christ than to deny him he was strong in his own strength; had he been strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he would have kept his standing better. Observe,

  • 1. There is grace in Christ Jesus; for the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, Jn. 1:17. There is grace enough in him for all of us.
  • 2. We must be strong in this grace; not in ourselves, in our own strength, or in the grace we have already received, but in the grace that is in him, and that is the way to be strong in grace.
  • 3. As a father exhorts his son, so does Paul exhort Timothy, with great tenderness and affection: Thou, therefore, my son, be strong, etc. Observe,
    • I. Timothy must count upon sufferings, even unto blood, and therefore he must train up others to succeed him in the ministry of the gospel, v. 2. He must instruct others, and train them up for the ministry, and so commit to them the things which he had heard; and he must also ordain them to the ministry, lodge the gospel as a trust in their hands, and so commit to them the things which he had heard. Two things he must have an eye to in ordaining ministers:-Their fidelity or integrity ("Commit them to faithful men, who will sincerely aim at the glory of God, the honour of Christ, the welfare of souls, and the advancement of the kingdom of the Redeemer among men'), and also their ministerial ability. They must not only be knowing themselves, but be able to teach others also, and be apt to teach. Here we have,
      • 1. The things Timothy was to commit to others-what he had heard of the apostle among many witnesses; he must not deliver any thing besides, and what Paul delivered to him and others he had received of the Lord Jesus Christ.
      • 2. He was to commit them as a trust, as a sacred deposit, which they were to keep, and to transmit pure and uncorrupt unto others.
      • 3. Those to whom he was to commit these things must be faithful, that is, trusty men, and who were skilful to teach others.
      • 4. Though men were both faithful and able to teach others, yet these things must be committed to them by Timothy, a minister, a man in office; for none must intrude themselves into the ministry, but must have these things committed to them by those already in that office.
    • II. He must endure hardness (v. 3): Thou therefore, etc.
      • 1. All Christians, but especially ministers, are soldiers of Jesus Christ; they fight under his banner, in his cause, and against his enemies, for he is the captain of our salvation, Heb. 2:10.
      • 2. The soldiers of Jesus Christ must approve themselves good soldiers, faithful to their captain, resolute in his cause, and must not give over fighting till they are made more than conquerors, through him that loved them, Rom. 8:37.
      • 3. Those who would approve themselves good soldiers of Jesus Christ must endure hardness; that is, we must expect it and count upon it in this world, must endure and accustom ourselves to it, and bear it patiently when it comes, and not be moved by it from our integrity.
    • III. He must not entangle himself in the affairs of this world, v. 4. A soldier, when he has enlisted, leaves his calling, and all the business of it, that he may attend his captain's orders. If we have given up ourselves to be Christ's soldiers, we must sit loose to this world; and though there is no remedy, but we must employ ourselves in the affairs of this life while we are here (we have something to do here), we must not entangle ourselves with those affairs, so as by them to be diverted and drawn aside from our duty to God and the great concerns of our Christianity. Those who will war the good warfare must sit loose to this world. That we may please him who hath chosen us to be soldiers. Observe,
      • 1. The great care of a soldier should be to please his general; so the great care of a Christian should be to please Christ, to approve ourselves to him. The way to please him who hath chosen us to be soldiers is not to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life, but to be free from such entanglements as would hinder us in our holy warfare.
    • IV. He must see to it that in carrying on the spiritual warfare he went by rule, that he observed the laws of war (v. 5): If a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. We are striving for mastery, to get the mastery of our lusts and corruptions, to excel in that which is good, but we cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws. In doing that which is good we must take care that we do it in a right manner, that our good may not be evil spoken of. Observe here,
      • 1. A Christian is to strive for masteries; he must aim at mastering his own lusts and corruptions.
      • 2. Yet he must strive according to the laws given to him; he must strive lawfully.
      • 3. Those who do so shall be crowned at last, after a complete victory is obtained.
    • V. He must be willing to wait for a recompence (v. 6): The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Or, as it should be read, The husbandman labouring first must partake of the fruits, as appears by comparing it with Jam. 5:7. If we would be partakers of the fruits, we must labour; if we would gain the prize, we must run the race. And, further, we must first labour as the husbandman does, with diligence and patience, before we are partakers of the fruit; we must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience, Heb. 10:36.
      The apostle further commends what he had said to the attention of Timothy, and expresses his desire and hope respecting him: Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things, v. 7. Here,
      • 1. Paul exhorts Timothy to consider those thing about which he admonished him. Timothy must be reminded to use his considering faculties about the things of God. Consideration is as necessary to a good conversation as to a sound conversion.
      • 2. He prays for him: The Lord give thee understanding in all things. Observe, It is God who gives understanding. The most intelligent man needs more and more of this gift. If he who gave the revelation in the word does not give the understanding in the heart, we are nothing. Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things, we must exhort and stir them up to consider what we say, for consideration is the way to understand, remember, and practise, what we hear or read.

2Ti 2:8-13

  • I. To encourage Timothy in suffering, the apostle puts him in mind of the resurrection of Christ (v. 8): Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel. This is the great proof of his divine mission, and therefore a great confirmation of the truth of the Christian religion; and the consideration of it should make us faithful to our Christian profession, and should particularly encourage us in suffering for it. Let suffering saints remember this. Observe,
    • 1. We are to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, Heb. 12:2.
    • 2. The incarnation and resurrection of Jesus Christ, heartily believed and rightly considered, will support a Christian under all sufferings in the present life.
  • II. Another thing to encourage him in suffering was that he had Paul for an example. Observe,
    • 1. How the apostle suffered (v. 9): Wherein I suffer as an evil-doer; and let not Timothy the son expect any better treatment than Paul the father. Paul was a man who did good, and yet suffered as an evil-doer: we must not think it strange if those who do well fare ill in this world, and if the best of men meet with the worst of treatment; but this was his comfort that the word of God was not bound. Persecuting powers may silence ministers and restrain them, but they cannot hinder the operation of the word of God upon men's hearts and consciences; that cannot be bound by any human force. This might encourage Timothy not to be afraid of bonds for the testimony of Jesus; for the word of Christ, which ought to be dearer to him than liberty, or life itself, should in the issue suffer nothing by those bonds. Here we see,
      • (1.) The good apostle's treatment in the world: I suffer trouble; to this he was called and appointed.
      • (2.) The pretence and colour under which he suffered: I suffer as an evil-doer; so the Jews said to Pilate concerning Christ, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee, Jn. 18:30.
      • (3.) The real and true cause of his suffering trouble as an evil-doer: Wherein; that is, in or for the sake of the gospel. The apostle suffered trouble unto bonds, and afterwards he resisted unto blood, striving against sin, Heb. 12:4. Though the preachers of the word are often bound, yet the word is never bound.
    • 2. Why he suffered cheerfully: I endure all things for the elects' sake, v. 10. Observe,
      • (1.) Good ministers may and should encourage themselves in the hardest services and the hardest sufferings, with this, that God will certainly bring good to his church, and benefit to his elect, out of them.-That they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. Next to the salvation of our own souls we should be willing to do and suffer any thing to promote the salvation of the souls of others.
      • (2.) The elect are designed to obtain salvation: God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation, 1 Th. 5:9.
      • (3.) This salvation is in Christ Jesus, in him as the fountain, the purchaser, and the giver of it; and it is accompanied with eternal glory: there is no salvation in Christ Jesus without it.
      • (4.) The sufferings of our apostle were for the elects' sake, for their confirmation and encouragement.
  • III. Another thing with which he encourages Timothy is the prospect of a future state.
    • 1. Those who faithfully adhere to Christ and to his truths and ways, whatever it cost them, will certainly have the advantage of it in another world: If we be dead with him, we shall live with him, v. 11. If, in conformity to Christ, we be dead to this world, its pleasures, profits, and honours, we shall go to live with him in a better world, to be for ever with him. Nay, though we be called out to suffer for him, we shall not lose by that. Those who suffer for Christ on earth shall reign with Christ in heaven, v. 12. Those who suffered with David in his humiliation were preferred with him in his exaltation: so it will be with those who suffer with the Son of David.
    • 2. It is at our peril if we prove unfaithful to him: If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we deny him before man, he will deny us before his Father, Mt. 10:33. And that man must needs be for ever miserable whom Christ disowns at last. This will certainly be the issue, whether we believe it or no (v. 13): If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself. He is faithful to his threatenings, faithful to his promises; neither one nor the other shall fall to the ground, no, not the least, jot nor tittle of them. If we be faithful to Christ, he will certainly be faithful to us. If we be false to him, he will be faithful to his threatenings: he cannot deny himself, cannot recede from any word that he hath spoken, for he is yea, and amen, the faithful witness. Observe,
      • (1.) Our being dead with Christ precedes our living with him, and is connected with it: the one is in order to the other; so our suffering for him is the way to reign with him. You that have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel Mt. 19:28.
      • (2.) This is a faithful saying, and may be depended on and ought to be believed. But,
      • (3.) If we deny him, out of fear, or shame, or for the sake of some temporal advantage, he will deny and disown us, and will not deny himself, but will continue faithful to his word when he threatens as well as when he promises.

2Ti 2:14-18

Having thus encouraged Timothy to suffer, he comes in the next place to direct him in his work.

  • I. He must make it his business to edify those who were under his charge, to put them in remembrance of those things which they did already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that which they do know, charging them that they strive not about words. Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive about matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very destructive to the things of God. That they strive not about words to no profit. If people did but consider of what little use most of the controversies in religion are, they would not be so zealous in their strifes of words, to the subverting of the hearers, to the drawing of them away from the great things of God, and occasioning unchristian heats and animosities, by which truth is often in danger of being lost. Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strifes never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in his name and from his word; when they produce their warrant for what they say.-Study to show thyself approved unto God, v. 15. Observe, The care of ministers must be to approve themselves unto God, to be accepted of him, and to show that they are so approved unto God. In order thereunto, there must be constant care and industry: Study to show thyself such a one, a workman that needs not be ashamed. Ministers must be workmen; they have work to do, and they must take pains in it. Workmen that are unskilful, or unfaithful, or lazy, have need to be ashamed; but those who mind their business, and keep to their work, are workmen that need not be ashamed. And what is their work? It is rightly to divide the word of truth. Not to invent a new gospel, but rightly to divide the gospel that is committed to their trust. To speak terror to those to whom terror belongs, comfort to whom comfort; to give every one his portion in due season, Mt. 24:45. Observe here,
    • 1. The word which ministers preach is the word of truth, for the author of it is the God of truth.
    • 2. It requires great wisdom, study, and care, to divide this word of truth rightly; Timothy must study in order to do this well.
  • II. He must take heed of that which would be a hindrance to him in his work, v. 16. He must take heed of error: Shun profane and vain babblings. The heretics, who boasted of their notions and their arguments, thought their performances such as might recommend them; but the apostle calls them profane and vain babblings: when once men become fond of those they will increase unto more ungodliness. The way of error is down-hill; one absurdity being granted or contended for, a thousand follow: Their word will eat as doth a canker, or gangrene; when errors or heresies come into the church, the infecting of one often proves the infecting of many, or the infecting of the same person with one error often proves the infecting of him with many errors. Upon this occasion the apostle mentions some who had lately advanced erroneous doctrines: Hymeneus and Philetus. He names these corrupt teachers, by which he sets a brand upon them, to their perpetual infamy, and warns all people against hearkening to them. They have erred concerning the truth, or concerning one of the fundamental articles of the Christian religion, which is truth. The resurrection of the dead is one of the great doctrines of Christ. Now see the subtlety of the serpent and the serpent's seed. They did not deny the resurrection (for that had been boldly and avowedly to confront the word of Christ), but they put a corrupt interpretation upon that true doctrine, saying that the resurrection was past already, that what Christ spoke concerning the resurrection was to be understood mystically and by way of allegory, that it must be meant of a spiritual resurrection only. It is true, there is a spiritual resurrection, but to infer thence that there will not be a true and real resurrection of the body at the last day is to dash one truth of Christ in pieces against another. By this they overthrew the faith of some, took them off from the belief of the resurrection of the dead; and if there be no resurrection of the dead, nor future state, no recompence of our services and sufferings in another world, we are of men the most miserable, 1 Co. 15:19. Whatever takes away the doctrine of a future state overthrows the faith of Christians. The apostle had largely disproved this error (1 Co. 15), and therefore does not here enter into the arguments against it. Observe,
    • 1. The babblings Timothy was to shun were profane and vain; they were empty shadows, and led to profaneness: For they will increase unto more ungodliness.
    • 2. Error is very productive, and on that account the more dangerous: it will eat like a gangrene.
    • 3. When men err concerning the truth, they always endeavour to have some plausible pretence for it. Hymeneus and Philetus did not deny a resurrection, but pretended it was already past.
    • 4. Error, especially that which affects the foundation, will overthrow the faith of some.

2Ti 2:19-21

Here we see what we may comfort ourselves with, in reference to this, and the little errors and heresies that both infect and infest the church, and do mischief.

  • I. It may be a great comfort to us that the unbelief of men cannot make the promise of God of no effect. Though the faith of some particular persons be overthrown, yet the foundation of God standeth sure (v. 19); it is not possible that they should deceive the elect. Or it may be meant of the truth itself, which they impugn. All the attacks which the powers of darkness have made upon the doctrine of Christ cannot shake it; it stands firm, and weathers all the storms which have been raised against it. The prophets and apostles, that is, the doctrines of the Old and New Testament, are still firm; and they have a seal with two mottoes upon it, one on the one side, and the other on the other, as is usual in a broad seal.
    • 1. One expresses our comfort-that the Lord knows those that are his, and those that are not; knows them, that is, he owns them, so knows them that he will never lose them. Though the faith of some be overthrown, yet the Lord is said to know the ways of the righteous, Ps. 1:6. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen.
    • 2. Another declares our duty-that every one who names the name of Christ must depart from iniquity. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege must make conscience of the duty. If the name of Christ be called upon us, we must depart from iniquity, else he will not own us; he will say in the great day (Mt. 7:23), Depart from me, I never knew you, you workers of iniquity. Observe,
      • (1.) Whatever errors are introduced into the church, the foundation of God standeth sure, his purpose can never be defeated.
      • (2.) God hath some in the church who are his and whom he knows to be his.
      • (3.) Professing Christians name the name of Christ, are called by his name, and therefore are bound to depart from iniquity; for Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Tit. 2:14.
  • II. Another thing that may comfort us is that though there are some whose faith is overthrown, yet there are others who keep their integrity, and hold it fast (v. 20): In a great house there are not only vessels of gold, etc. The church of Christ is a great house, a well-furnished house: now some of the furniture of this house is of great value, as the plate in a house; some of small value, and put to mean uses, as the vessels of wood and earth; so it is in the church of God. There are some professors of religion that are like the vessels of wood and earth, they are vessels of dishonour. But at the same time all are not vessels of dishonour; there are vessels of gold and silver, vessels of honour, that are sanctified and meet for the Master's use. When we are discouraged by the badness of some, we must encourage ourselves by the consideration of the goodness of others. Now we should see to it that we be vessels of honour: we must purge ourselves from these corrupt opinions, that we may be sanctified for our Master's use. Observe,
    • 1. In the church there are some vessels of honour and some of dishonour; there are some vessels of mercy and other vessels of wrath, Rom. 9:22, 23. Some dishonour the church by their corrupt opinions and wicked lives; and others honour and credit it by their exemplary conversation.
    • 2. A man must purge himself from these before he can be a vessel of honour, or meet for his Master's use.
    • 3. Every vessel must be fit for its Master's use; every one in the church whom God approves must be devoted to his Master's service and meet for his use.
    • 4. Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work. The tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good.

2Ti 2:22-26

  • I. Paul here exhorts Timothy to beware of youthful lusts, v. 22. Though he was a holy good man, very much mortified to the world, yet Paul thought it necessary to caution him against youthful lusts: "Flee them, take all possible care and pains to keep thyself pure from them.' The lusts of the flesh are youthful lusts, which young people must carefully watch against, and the best must not be secure. He prescribes an excellent remedy against youthful lusts: Follow righteousness, faith, charity peace, etc. Observe,
    • 1. Youthful lusts are very dangerous, for which reason even hopeful young people should be warned of them, for they war against the soul, 1 Pt. 2:11.
    • 2. The exciting of our graces will be the extinguishing of our corruptions; the more we follow that which is good the faster and the further we shall flee from that which is evil. Righteousness, and faith, and love, will be excellent antidotes against youthful lusts. Holy love will cure impure lust.-Follow peace with those that call on the Lord. The keeping up of the communion of saints will take us off from all fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. See the character of Christians: they are such as call on the Lord Jesus Christ, out of a pure heart. Observe, Christ is to be prayed to. It is the character of all Christians that they call upon him; but our prayers to God and Christ are not acceptable nor successful except they come out of a pure heart.
  • II. He cautions him against contention, and, to prevent this (v. 23), cautions him against foolish and unlearned questions, that tend to no benefit, strifes of words. Those who advanced them, and doted upon them, thought themselves wise and learned; but Paul calls them foolish and unlearned. The mischief of these is that they gender strifes, that they breed debates and quarrels among Christians and ministers. It is very remarkable how often, and with what seriousness, the apostle cautions Timothy against disputes in religion, which surely was not without some such design as this, to show that religion consists more in believing and practising what God requires than in subtle disputes.-The servant of the Lord must not strive, v. 24. Nothing worse becomes the servant of the Lord Jesus, who himself did not strive nor cry (Mt. 12:19), but was a pattern of meekness, and mildness, and gentleness to all, than strife and contention. The servant of the Lord must be gentle to all men, and thereby show that he is himself subject to the commanding power of that holy religion which he is employed in preaching and propagating.-Apt to teach. Those are unapt to teach who are apt to strive, and are fierce and froward. Ministers must be patient, bearing with evil, and in meekness instructing (v. 25) not only those who subject themselves, but those who oppose themselves. Observe,
    • 1. Those who oppose themselves to the truth are to be instructed; for instruction is the scripture-method of dealing with the erroneous, which is more likely to convince them of their errors than fire and faggot: he does not bid us kill their bodies, under pretence of saving their souls.
    • 2. Such as oppose themselves are to be instructed in meekness, for our Lord is meek and lowly (Mt. 11:29), and this agrees well with the character of the servant of the Lord (v. 24): He must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient. This is the way to convey truth in its light and power, and to overcome evil with good, Rom. 12:21.
    • 3. That which ministers must have in their eyes, in instructing those who oppose themselves, must be their recovery: If God, peradventure, will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Observe,
      • (1.) Repentance is God's gift.
      • (2.) It is a gift with a peradventure in the case of those who oppose themselves; and therefore, though we are not to despair of the grace of God, yet we must take heed of presuming upon it. To the acknowledging of the truth.
      • (3.) The same God who gives us the discovery of the truth does by his grace bring us to the acknowledging of it, otherwise our hearts would continue in rebellion against it, for we are to confess with our mouths as well as to believe with our hearts, Rom. 10:9, 10. And thus sinners recover themselves out of the snare of the devil; see here,
        • [1.] The misery of sinners: they are in the snare of the devil, and are led captive by him at his will, v. 26. They are slaves to the worst of task-masters; he is the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, Eph. 2:2. They are taken in a snare, and in the worst snare, because it is the devil's; they are as fishes that are taken in n evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare. Further, They are under Ham's curse (a servant of servants shall he be, Gen. 9:25), they are slaves to him who is but a slave and vassal.
        • [2.] The happiness of those who repent: they recover themselves out of this snare, as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken and they have escaped; and the greater the danger the greater the deliverance. When sinners repent, those who before were led captive by the devil at his will come to be led into the glorious liberty of the children of God, and have their wills melted into the will of the Lord Jesus. The good Lord recover us all out of the snare.