2 Timothy 2
June Memory Verse: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Read: 2 Timothy 2
2nd Timothy is widely regarded as the final letter Paul ever wrote. Chuck Swindoll, in his book profiling the Apostle Paul, called him a man of “grace and grit.” In chapter 4, Paul writes that, “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Paul fought, raced, and remained faithful to the end, leading to reward. As we rewind back into chapter 2, Paul urges the young Timothy how he too can finish well.
In chapter 2, Paul made three comparisons to a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. As we’ve seen in chapter 4, it seems like he reiterates these three images, essentially saying that “at the end of my life and ministry I have done that which I challenge you to do.”
This chapter has so much to offer, but these three examples have stood out to me for many years to undergird how I live and serve the Lord. So, what do we learn from each one?
First, the soldier does two things—a soldier suffers, and lives on mission above “civilian pursuits.” In John 16:33, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.” A soldier for Christ understands this and lives missionally anyway. Paul had been imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten, and suffered a great deal for Christ. He “fought the good fight.”
Secondly, Paul gave the example of an athlete. Specifically, an athlete must “compete according to the rules.” In life, God has established boundaries with a list of do’s and don'ts. Our response of holiness means that we must agree with God about what he calls good and live inside of that framework. We get into trouble when we act, think, or speak in a way that explicitly or implicitly calls something “good” that God calls “not good” or vice versa. Even “giving approval to sin” (Romans 1:32) is disagreeing with God in this way. That means I don’t have to actually act sin out; all I have to do is passively approve it. The phrase, “You do you,” is a great example of this idea. Instead, Paul “finished the race” according to the rules.
Finally, the farmer receives the first share of crops. Farming is hard work, but as Nick taught Sunday from Mark 4, the farmer has no ability to cause growth. However, when the harvest comes in, it is the farmer who receives his portion first—“the crown of righteousness.”
Many years ago, I came across this passage and it struck me that a believer in Jesus Christ is called to live as, what I call, a Soldier Steward. A soldier endures on mission. Paul clearly instructs Timothy to “avoid irreverent babble” with many other examples of not being sucked into secular squabbles.
The athlete and farmer provide two examples of stewardship. An athlete must train with single-minded focus. An athlete must steward what God has entrusted to them internally to perform externally, and just like a cleaned vessel, an athlete who has stewarded well will be, “useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” Likewise, a farmer must steward work. He can only plant, water, weed, and harvest—that’s a lot of work to do, but it cannot produce fruit, only God does that.
Paul was a soldier steward, he charged Timothy as a soldier steward, and like Timothy, we can become a soldier steward.
By: Tyler Short
Read: 2 Timothy 2
2nd Timothy is widely regarded as the final letter Paul ever wrote. Chuck Swindoll, in his book profiling the Apostle Paul, called him a man of “grace and grit.” In chapter 4, Paul writes that, “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Paul fought, raced, and remained faithful to the end, leading to reward. As we rewind back into chapter 2, Paul urges the young Timothy how he too can finish well.
In chapter 2, Paul made three comparisons to a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. As we’ve seen in chapter 4, it seems like he reiterates these three images, essentially saying that “at the end of my life and ministry I have done that which I challenge you to do.”
This chapter has so much to offer, but these three examples have stood out to me for many years to undergird how I live and serve the Lord. So, what do we learn from each one?
First, the soldier does two things—a soldier suffers, and lives on mission above “civilian pursuits.” In John 16:33, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.” A soldier for Christ understands this and lives missionally anyway. Paul had been imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten, and suffered a great deal for Christ. He “fought the good fight.”
Secondly, Paul gave the example of an athlete. Specifically, an athlete must “compete according to the rules.” In life, God has established boundaries with a list of do’s and don'ts. Our response of holiness means that we must agree with God about what he calls good and live inside of that framework. We get into trouble when we act, think, or speak in a way that explicitly or implicitly calls something “good” that God calls “not good” or vice versa. Even “giving approval to sin” (Romans 1:32) is disagreeing with God in this way. That means I don’t have to actually act sin out; all I have to do is passively approve it. The phrase, “You do you,” is a great example of this idea. Instead, Paul “finished the race” according to the rules.
Finally, the farmer receives the first share of crops. Farming is hard work, but as Nick taught Sunday from Mark 4, the farmer has no ability to cause growth. However, when the harvest comes in, it is the farmer who receives his portion first—“the crown of righteousness.”
Many years ago, I came across this passage and it struck me that a believer in Jesus Christ is called to live as, what I call, a Soldier Steward. A soldier endures on mission. Paul clearly instructs Timothy to “avoid irreverent babble” with many other examples of not being sucked into secular squabbles.
The athlete and farmer provide two examples of stewardship. An athlete must train with single-minded focus. An athlete must steward what God has entrusted to them internally to perform externally, and just like a cleaned vessel, an athlete who has stewarded well will be, “useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” Likewise, a farmer must steward work. He can only plant, water, weed, and harvest—that’s a lot of work to do, but it cannot produce fruit, only God does that.
Paul was a soldier steward, he charged Timothy as a soldier steward, and like Timothy, we can become a soldier steward.
By: Tyler Short
5 Comments
v3) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (NIV)
This verse convicted my heart today. My natural tendency is to complain and say things like, "that's not fair or that's not right". I've never been imprisoned, beaten, or severely persecuted for Christ like Paul centuries ago. Voice of The Martyrs newsletter and email updates remind me that this type of persecution is still happening to our brothers and sisters in much of the world dominated by Islam, Hinduism, and brutal atheist dictators. We need to be in prayer for the persecuted church that God will use their suffering for the salvation of many and the glory of Christ.
Thanks for the commentary Tyler and for reminding me to be a good soldier enduring hardship for Jesus!
It stood out to me that three times in this chapter Paul warned against quarreling and useless talk and foolish arguments. This is prevalent outside the church but also within it. It can be divisive.
Instead, we are to be "kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. v24
Great commentary Tyler. Thanks
Great breakdown of the 3 different types of believers mentioned here, Tyler. Your commentary was really helpful. The phrase "you do you" is something we are all guilty of to some extent, whether we just don't want to address a friends sin, or maybe we just don't want to ruffle any feathers. However, playing by the rules God has laid out means there will be times that we have to call sin what it is, and that may not sit well with others. However, if we are to help people see their need for Christ, this is necessary in our walk with God so we can point others to Him. There is a loving way to do this, and I don't think we need to be harsh in addressing these things, but it is necessary none the less. Thanks for explaining all this so well today!
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant the repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
This spoke to me so strongly about how I need to approach those who are unsaved, especially my family and friends. Like Nick said on Sunday, it's not our job to change people's hearts. It's our job to live the life of Christ before them and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. This is very freeing.
Thanks for your insights Tyler!