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Tag: 2 Timothy

God has not given us the spirit of fear

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 2 Timothy, What’s new?.

but of power and of love and of a sound mind

What does it mean that God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)?

Before Paul’s death, Paul writes a letter of encouragement and exhortation to Timothy, his beloved protégé. Timothy has a shy personality and feels uneasy about his weighty responsibilities. Paul does not want fear to stifle Timothy’s ministry or his gift from God, so he addresses Timothy’s spirit of fear.

Paul says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). The Greek word for “fear” in this verse does not refer to reverential fear that is often associated with fear of the Lord. Rather, the word refers to cowardice or timidity. Matthew 25:14–30 provides an example of this type of fear. A master entrusts three servants with gold before embarking on a journey, and only two of the servants increase the master’s wealth during his absence. The third servant fears the master and buries his gold. The master responds to the servant’s cowardice by taking back the gold and giving it to the servant with the most gold. The servant’s fearful spirit hindered his full devotion to the master and his ability to make wise decisions.

In the context of 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul speaks of fear in sharing the gospel amidst persecution. The frightening circumstances surrounding Timothy’s calling to share the gospel add additional anxiety to his already timid personality. Paul encourages Timothy by reminding him of his heritage of faith. His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice provided an example of devout faithfulness to God throughout Timothy’s life. They likely taught him the Jewish Scriptures and showed him how to be an honorable man of God. Paul writes that Lois and Eunice’s sincere faith lives inside Timothy. Paul’s motivation in addressing Timothy’s spirit of fear is not that he doubts Timothy’s sincerity of faith. Rather, he desires to restore Timothy’s courage. Paul goes on to exhort Timothy to fan into flame his God-given gift. Gifts flourish when surrendered to God, and they decay when we allow fear to paralyze us. Fear can hinder a gift’s effectiveness, and Paul says that power, love, and a sound mind will aid Timothy’s flourishing and work toward God’s glory.

As Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fear, he focuses on the Spirit who gives us “power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 2:7, NLT). The spirit of power produces bravery and the resolution necessary to face and endure danger and difficulty. The spirit of love fuels sacrificial service toward God and mankind. Lastly, a sound mind cultivates self-control, alertness, and truth. Paul does not want fear of man or fear of death to keep Timothy from sharing the gospel. For the rest of 2 Timothy, Paul continues to prepare Timothy for a bold, gospel-focused life.

We should not give in to a spirit of fear. When we focus on our anxiety or on our own ability to obey and follow Christ, fear and timidity are the result. Yielding to the Spirit who gives us power, love, and alertness refocuses and calms us. It is only through God’s strength that we can boldly, lovingly, and accurately share the gospel. May we never allow fear to hinder us from sharing the gospel, but instead rely on God to give us courage!

Kept the faith

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 2 Timothy, What’s new?.

What did Paul mean when he said he had kept the faith?

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). This is one of the better-known and most-quoted passages of the apostle Paul. These words written just before Paul’s death are a powerful affirmation of his unyielding love and undying faith in Jesus and the gospel message (Galatians 1:4; 2:20; Philippians 1:21).

The word translated “kept” means “to keep by guarding, to watch over.” The Greek word for “faith” is pistis, which has to do with a conviction based on hearing (cf. Romans 10:17). Paul’s trust in Jesus never wavered. His faith was as solid on the day of his death as it had been the moment he first believed on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3). He was firm in his faith in the midst of the mob’s violence (Acts 16:22; 2 Corinthians 11:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:2). He stood uncompromising before the dignitaries Felix (Acts 22:10, 22), Festus (Acts 25:9), and Agrippa (Acts 25:26). He boldly confronted Peter when that apostle showed signs of compromising the teachings of Christ (Galatians 2:11-16).

The expression “I have kept the faith” has two possible meanings. One is that Paul had faithfully declared the gospel and guarded its truth, keeping its message unadulterated. Elsewhere, Paul called this the “pattern of sound teaching” and encouraged Timothy to “keep” it as well (2 Timothy 1:13; cf. 1 Timothy 6:20).

The other possible meaning of “I have kept the faith” is that Paul had fulfilled his divine appointment in this world, viz., that he would be Jesus’ messenger to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; 22:21). When Jesus commissioned Paul, He was clear that the appointment would mean much suffering (Acts 9:16). But Paul gladly accepted the summons and never wavered in his commitment, trusting that he would soon experience “an eternal glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Keeping the faith is never easy. Without question, Satan sought to derail Paul’s work by opposing him far and wide. There were Galatian legalists, Colossian Gnostics, and Judaizers at every turn. There were forged letters (2 Thessalonians 2:2). There were slanderous attacks on his integrity, his personal appearance, and his unpolished speech (2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 1:6). Not to mention the physical beatings he took (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). He was truly “hard pressed on every side” (2 Corinthians 4:8). Paul’s faith was the victory: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). What God had committed to Paul, Paul committed back to God. And through it all, Paul looked forward to the moment when he would hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

As believers in Christ, we, too, should “keep the faith.” What has God called you to do? Do it with all your might (Colossians 3:23). Just as Paul “longed for His appearing” and anticipated receiving the “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8), so should we serve the Lord and faithfully fulfill His plan for our lives.

Itching ears

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 2 Timothy, What’s new?.

What does 2 Timothy 4:3 mean by itching ears?

The apostle Paul wrote a warning for the church: “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).

The Greek word translated “itching” literally means “to itch, rub, scratch, or tickle.” To want one’s ears “tickled” is to desire massages rather than messages—sermons that charm rather than challenge, entertain rather than edify, and please rather than preach. The people Paul warns about will have, as one commentator put it, “ears which have to be continually titillated with novelties.”

“Itching ears” is a figure of speech that refers to people’s desires, felt needs, or wants. It is these desires that impel a person to believe whatever he wants to believe rather than the actual truth itself. When people have “itching ears,” they decide for themselves what is right or wrong, and they seek out others to support their notions. “Itching ears” are concerned with what feels good or comfortable, not with the truth—after all, truth is often uncomfortable. Paul’s warning is that the church would one day contain those who only opened their ears to those who would scratch their “itch.”

Those with “itching ears” only want teachers who will assure them that all is well, teachers who say, “Peace, peace . . . when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). Where there is a demand for something, the suppliers are not far away. Paul says that not only will there be great demand for watered-down, personalized messages, but there will be “a great number of teachers” willing to provide such pap and steer people away from “sound doctrine.”

Evidence today of people having “itching ears” includes the popularity of messages that people are not required to change, as if repentance were outmoded; that people are basically good; that God is too loving to judge anyone; that the cross, with all its blood, is not really necessary; and that God wants His children to be healthy, wealthy, and content in this world. As people turn their backs on the truth about sin and condemnation, they disregard their need for repentance and forgiveness. And a craving for “new” and “fresher” ideas grows—even though there is “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9–10)—accompanied by a longing to feel good about who they are and where they’re going. Messages that tickle ears can fill a lot of churches, sell a lot of books, and buy a lot of time on cable tv.

Some of the early followers of Jesus complained about some of the Lord’s words: “Many of his disciples said, ʻThis is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’ . . . From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:60, 66). Walking away from hard truth is easy to do.

In today’s postmodern church, we see many walking away from the hard truth. Some churches that once preached sound doctrine now teach as acceptable the very evils the Bible condemns. Some pastors are afraid to preach on certain passages of the Bible. “Christian feminists” deny God as a heavenly Father, calling Him a “she.” “Gay Christians” are not only welcomed without repentance into church fellowship but into the pulpit, as well.

The church’s remedy for those who have “itching ears” is found in the same passage of 2 Timothy: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). It is a solemn charge, made “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom” (verse 1). And it contains all the elements needed to combat the temptation to tickle ears: preach, correct, rebuke, and encourage. The content of preaching must be the written Word of God, and it must be preached when convenient and when inconvenient. This takes “great patience and careful instruction,” but sound doctrine is worth it.

The church’s quest to manage the comfort level of its audience must never take priority over preaching the Word. The fear of offending people’s sensibilities can never supersede the fear of offending God. Rather, the church should follow the example of the apostles: “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).

The church today, more than ever, needs to re-examine the teachings it endorses. We need to ask ourselves the following questions:

  • Are our teachings truly from God or simply itches we want to scratch?
  • Are we standing on solid biblical grounds, or have we allowed the world to influence our thinking?
  • Have we guarded ourselves from the schemes of Satan (Ephesians 6:11)?
  • Are we keeping ourselves “blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)?

The truth is, God is not concerned with scratching our itches but in transforming us into the image of His Son (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

Finished the race

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 2 Timothy, What’s new?.

What did Paul mean when he said he had finished the race?

“I have finished the race” is the second clause of three within a passage written by the apostle Paul to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). The apostle wrote these words near the end of his life. These three statements reflect Paul’s struggles in preaching the gospel of Christ and his victory over those struggles.

In the 1st century, the Romans celebrated both the Olympic Games and the Isthmian Games. Competitors would spend up to ten months in arduous physical training. Because the Corinthians were very familiar with these events, Paul used the games as an analogy for a believer’s life of faithfulness. He wrote the church in Corinth saying, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). Paul’s exhortation is that believers should be as focused and dedicated as those ancient runners in the games. Our motivation in serving Christ is much higher; we “run” not for a temporary crown, but for an eternal one.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul is not commending himself for having “run the full distance” (TEV); rather, he is simply describing what the grace of God had enabled him to do. In the book of Acts, Paul says these powerful words: “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

So, by declaring “I have finished the race,” Paul is telling Timothy that he had put every effort into the work of proclaiming to all the gospel of salvation. He had completed the course set before him; he had left nothing undone. He was ready to cross the finish line into heaven.

In a race, only one runner wins. However, in the Christian “race,” everyone who pays the price of vigilant training for the cause of Christ can win. We are not competing against one other, as in athletic games, but against the struggles, physical and spiritual, that stand in the way of our reaching the prize (Philippians 3:14).

Every believer runs his own race (1 Corinthians 9:24). Each of us is enabled to be a winner. Paul exhorts us to “run in such a way as to get the prize,” and to do this we must set aside anything that might hinder us from living and teaching the gospel of Christ. The writer of Hebrews echoes the words of Paul: “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

May we be diligent in our “race,” may we keep our eyes on the goal, and may we, like Paul, finish strong.

Show thyself approved

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 2 Timothy, What’s new?.

What does 2 Timothy 2:15 mean by “show thyself approved”?

To counter the false teachers who were misapplying and undermining the truth of God’s Word, the apostle Paul urged Timothy to work hard and study diligently to be sure that he had God’s approval when handling the Scriptures: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God” is antiquated language that challenges the understanding of current-day Bible readers. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved” (NIV) and “work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval” (NLT) are more modern renderings that bring transparency to the original text for today’s readers of the Bible.

False teachers were a problem in the early church, just as they are now. Pastors and church leaders are charged with the responsibility of keeping God’s people safe from gangrenous teachings that spread and choke out the truth of Scripture and lead to ungodly living (2 Timothy 2:16–17). Paul tells Timothy to warn God’s people “before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” (2 Timothy 2:14). Timothy was to command the people in the presence of God to stop fighting over words and stop listening to those who were stirring up trouble with their pointless, hair-splitting debates. The result of getting caught up in such ideas—building theological mountains out of mere foolish talk—would be spiritual ruin.

Show thyself approved means to present yourself to God in such a way that you receive His approval. Followers of Jesus Christ and especially pastors and teachers are to work persistently to understand and explain the truth of God’s Word correctly. In the original language, the word rendered “approved” in 2 Timothy 2:15 carries the idea of being “tried and true,” or tested and proven genuine. Receiving God’s approval seems to suggest having passed a vetting process (see 1 Thessalonians 2:4).

God’s approved workers handle the word of truth correctly. Rightly dividing literally means “cutting straight” in the original Greek. Pastors and teachers are to be skilled workmen of God’s Word who carefully and thoroughly search the revelation of God in Scripture, not deviating from or distorting its message in any way (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:5–6; Revelation 22:18–19). They cut straight lines and help build a stable foundation that will stand the test of time (2 Timothy 2:19). The approved worker is like the Bereans who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). He studies God’s Word and then seeks to apply it to his own life.

The unapproved worker swerves from the truth, cutting crooked lines with meaningless talk, godless chatter, false knowledge, and departures from the faith (1 Timothy 1:6; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16–18). He involves himself “in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time” (Titus 3:9, NLT). Paul describes the unapproved worker as “arrogant” and someone who “lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions” (1 Timothy 6:4, NLT).

Christian teachers who have proven themselves and received God’s approval have no reason to be ashamed. Paul’s target as a minister of Jesus Christ was to “never be ashamed, but . . . continue to be bold for Christ” and “bring honor to Christ” for the rest of his life (Philippians 1:20, NLT).

Paul’s directive to Timothy to “show thyself approved” echoes in his unapologetic commendation of himself before God as his witness: “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:1–2).

Always learning

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 2 Timothy, What’s new?.

What does it mean to be “always learning” in 2 Timothy 3:7?

In 2 Timothy 3:1–9, the apostle Paul warns Timothy of increasing moral deterioration that will afflict humanity in the latter days. He describes such godless people as “lovers of themselves” (verse 2) and “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (verse 4). They put themselves on the central throne of their affections in the place of God. Paul has false teachers and their devotees in mind when he elaborates: “They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (verses 6–7).

The women Paul mentions are easy targets for false teachers because they are vulnerable—“burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires” (2 Timothy 3:6, NLT). The weight of guilt from unrepented sin impairs one’s judgment, leaving a person susceptible to temptation and further bondage to sin (Psalm 31:10; 32:3–4). In this weakened state, one loses the ability to discern truth and make upright decisions. These women, wanting to appear wise and well-educated, became ardent disciples of the counterfeit teachers. They were always learning whatever new doctrine the false teachers promoted, but in doing so, they were never be able to understand God’s truth.

In Paul’s first epistle to Timothy, he gave a similar warning against false teachers: “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons” (1 Timothy 4:1, NLT). The inclination to follow deceitful teachings is not unique to women nor to the end times. Since the early days of the church, both men and women have been “always learning” the latest faddish teachings and self-pleasing doctrines. Paul stresses that the tendency will increase as we draw closer to the end times (2 Thessalonians 2:3–9; 2 Timothy 3:1).

On 2 Timothy 3:7, Warren Wiersbe writes, “These false religious leaders take advantage of the problems people have, and promise them quick and easy solutions. They ‘worm their way in’ and soon control people’s lives. It is not long before these leaders grab their followers’ loyalty, money, and service. And their ‘converts’ are worse off than they were before. They still have their problems, but they have been duped into thinking that all is well” (Wiersbe, W., The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2, Victor Books, 1996, p. 250).

Always learning is a fitting description of people who continually search for other people’s advice. Paul tells Timothy, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3, NLT). These types of people mainly want self-satisfying experiences and feel-good sensations rather than serious truth.

People who look for truth in the wrong places will never be satisfied (Ecclesiastes 7:24–29; 8:16–17; 1 Timothy 6:7–10). Instead, they will fall prey to spiritual swindlers and pseudo-Christian charlatans controlled by deceiving spirits. No matter how much time, devotion, or money they sink into their misguided studies, they will be “always learning” but never passing the test of truth. Only those who are born of God’s Spirit can comprehend spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only by believing the gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ and entering a relationship with Him do we come to the soul-satisfying knowledge of truth (John 4:7–14; 8:31–32; 14:6; 16:12–15; 18:37–38; 1 John 5:20; 1 Timothy 2:3–6; Colossians 2:2–3; 1 Corinthians 10:3–4).

I know whom I have believed

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

What does “I know whom I have believed” mean (2 Timothy 1:12)?

Second Timothy 1:12 reads, “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” In this verse and its context, Paul encourages his protégé, Timothy, to be bold and even “suffer for the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:8).

Paul, who suffered for the sake of the gospel he preached, remained unbothered and unashamed because he trusted Christ. His words serve as an encouragement for many Christians today, just as they did for Timothy.

Christ is the foundation for our faith (1 Corinthians 3:11), the One in whom Paul and we believe. Our confidence stems from Christ’s tangible demonstration of trustworthiness. Throughout His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus was faithful to His Father in heaven and faithful to His disciples. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).

Unlike other faith systems, biblical Christianity teaches that God initiated the relationship between Himself and mankind by taking on human flesh and dying on a cross. The crucifixion of Christ, supported by historical evidence, is transformative. Many individuals, having understood their moral accountability before God, have found freedom in the Son’s atonement. Christ’s resurrection further solidifies His claim to deity and unveils His magnificent plan for humanity. Christianity stands as a faith grounded on reason, inviting adherents to place their trust in Jesus. We, like Paul, can know in whom we have believed.

Paul was “convinced” that the One in whom he believed was able to keep what was committed to Him “until that day”—that is, the day of His return (2 Timothy 1:12). Christ is trustworthy because He is holy, perfect, and sinless. We rest assured that He will fulfill all His promises, including His promise to glorify us one day (Philippians 3:20–21; Romans 8:30). Christ also demonstrates His trustworthiness by meeting our needs and delivering us from difficulties or leading us through them. Countless people can testify to Christ’s trustworthy nature (www.tyndale.com/sites/unfoldingfaithblog/2018/10/02/check-out-these-real-life-testimonies/).

When we know whom we have believed, we have a stable ground to stand on through life’s uncertainties. Few people are prepared for tragedy, and suffering individuals can turn to depression or nihilism without any objective source of comfort. Christians grounded in Christ will also experience grief and may feel perplexed, yet they ultimately find rest in the unwavering presence of a sovereign God. All circumstances, good and bad, He uses for our good (Romans 8:28).

Our confidence in whom we believe also spurs us to “work enthusiastically for the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). In our pluralistic, postmodern society, enthusiastic work on God’s behalf can be difficult. However, challenges should not deter us. The apostles faced similar problems, yet they were unashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). The apostles’ perseverance was not a sign that they were super Christians; rather, it was a sign that they knew whom they had believed. And they knew their Lord and Savior was able to keep what was committed to Him.

What was it that Paul had entrusted to Christ, the One whom He believed? Various scholarly interpretations abound, but it seems likely that Paul was talking about his soul. He had committed his entire being to the Lord for safekeeping; he had fully entrusted himself, without reservation, knowing that the Lord is faithful. In this, Paul followed the example of Christ Himself, who, “when he suffered, . . . he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). As believers we are all in God’s hands. Christ is our hope, and we can be sure that He will preserve our souls.