This chapter, 2 Timothy 2, is made up of various exhortations and encouragements to duty. The apostle exhorts Timothy to be strong in the Christian graces 2 Timothy 2:1; to commit the great trust which he had received to faithful men 2 Timothy 2:2; to endure hardships like a good soldier 2 Timothy 2... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU THEREFORE - In view of the fact stated in the previous chapter, that many had turned away from the apostle, and had forsaken the paths of truth. BE STRONG IN THE GRACE WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS; - compare the notes at Ephesians 6:10. The meaning is, Be strong, relying on the grace which the Lor... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST HEARD OF ME AMONG MANY WITNESSES - Margin, “by.” Before, or in the presence of, many witnesses. Perhaps he refers to a solemn charge which he gave him, in the presence of the church, when he was ordained. It is by no means improbable that such a charge was given then t... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU THEREFORE ENDURE HARDNESS, AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST - Such hardships as a soldier is called to endure. The apostle supposes that a minister of the gospel might be called to endure hardships, and that it is reasonable that he should be as ready to do it as a soldier is. On the hardships... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MAN THAT WARRETH ENTANGLETH HIMSELF WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE - Having alluded to the soldier, and stated one thing in which the Christian minister is to resemble him, another point of resemblance is suggested to the mind of the apostle. Neither the minister nor the soldier is to be encumbere... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF A MAN ALSO STRIVE FOR MASTERIES - As in the Grecian games. See this favorite illustration of Paul explained in the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:24 ff. YET IS HE NOT CROWNED, EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY - In conformity with the rules of the games. See Grotius, in loc. No one could obtain the prize u... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HUSBANDMAN THAT LABOURETH - The margin is, “labouring first, must be partaker.” The idea, according to the translation in the text, is, that there is a fitness or propriety (δει dei) that the man who cultivates the earth, should enjoy the fruits of his labor. See the same image explained in the... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSIDER WHAT I SAY; - see the notes at 1 Timothy 4:15. The sense is “Think of the condition of the soldier, and the principles on which he is enlisted; think of the aspirant for the crown in the Grecian games; think of the farmer, patiently toiling in the prospect of the distant harvest; and then g... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER THAT JESUS CHRIST, OF THE SEED OF DAVID, WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD - Or rather, perhaps, “Remember Jesus Christ; him who was raised from the dead.” The idea seems not to be, as our translators supposed, that he was to reflect on the fact that he was raised from the dead; but rather that he w... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN I SUFFER TROUBLE, AS AN EVIL-DOER - as if I were a violator of the laws. That is, I am treated as if I were a criminal. EVEN UNTO BONDS - As if I were one of the words kind of malefactors; see the notes at Ephesians 6:20. During the apostle’s first imprisonment at Rome, he was permitted to “... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I ENDURE ALL THINGS FOR THE ELECT’S SAKES; - see the notes at 2 Corinthians 1:6. The sense is, What I suffer is in the cause of the church, spoken of here, as it is often, as chosen, or elected; see the notes at Ephesians 1:4. THAT THEY MAY ALSO OBTAIN THE SALVATION, ... - Their salvation... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS A FAITHFUL SAYING - Or, rather, that which he was about to say was worthy of entire credence and profound attention; see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:15. The object is to encourage Timothy to bear trials by the hope of salvation. FOR IF WE BE DEAD WITH HIM - see the notes at Romans 6:8. WE SHALL... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE SUFFER, WE SHALL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM - The meaning is, that the members will be treated as the Head is. We become united with him by faith, and, if we share his treatment on earth, we shall share his triumphs in heaven; see the notes at Romans 8:17. IF WE DENY HIM, HE ALSO WILL DENY US; - see... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE BELIEVE NOT, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL - This cannot mean that, if we live in sin, he will certainly save us, as if he had made any promise to the elect, or formed any purpose that he would save them; whatever might be their conduct; because: (1) He had just said that if we deny him he will den... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THESE THINGS PUT THEM IN REMEMBRANCE - These great principles in regard to the kingdom of Christ. They would be as useful to others as they were for Timothy, to whom they were specially addressed. CHARGING THEM BEFORE THE LORD - In the presence of the Lord, implying that it was a very important... [ Continue Reading ]
STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD - Give diligence 2 Peter 2:10, or make an effort so to discharge the duties of the ministerial office as to meet the divine approbation. The object of the ministry is not to please men. Such doctrines should be preached, and such plans formed, and such a manne... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SHUN PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS, - see the notes at 1 Timothy 6:20. FOR THEY WILL INCREASE UNTO MORE UNGODLINESS - Their tendency is to alienate the soul from God, and to lead to impiety. Such kinds of disputation are not merely a waste of time, they are productive of positive mischief. A man f... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEIR WORD - The word, or the discourses of those who love vain and idle disputations. WILL EAT AS DOTH A CANKER - Margin, “gangrene.” This word - γάγγραινα gangraina - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It is derived from γραιω _graiō_, γραινω _grainō_, to devour, corrode,” and means... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CONCERNING THE TRUTH HAVE ERRED - To what extent they had erred is unknown. Paul mentions only one point - that pertaining to the resurrection; but says that this was like a gangrene. It would certainly, unless checked, destroy all the other doctrines of religion. No man can safely hold a single... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS THE FOUNDATION OF GOD IS SURE - Margin, “steady.” The meaning is, that though some had been turned away by the arts of these errorists, yet the foundation of the church which God had laid remained firm; compare Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and proph... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IN A GREAT HOUSE - Still keeping up the comparison of the church with a building. The idea is, that the church is a large edifice, and that in such a building we are not to expect entire uniformity in all the articles which it contains. THERE ARE NOT ONLY VESSELS OF GOLD AND OF SILVER, ... - Yo... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN THEREFORE PURGE HIMSELF FROM THESE, HE SHALL BE A VESSEL UNTO HONOUR - If a man “cleanse” or “purify” himself; compare the notes on John 15:2. The word “these” refers, here, to the persons represented by the vessels of wood and of earth - the vessels made to dishonor, as mentioned in the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
FLEE ALSO YOUTHFUL LUSTS - Such passions as youth are subject to. On the word “flee,” and the pertinency of its use in such a connection, see the notes at 1 Corinthians 6:18. Paul felt that Timothy, then a young man, was subject to the same passions as other young men; and hence, his repeated cautio... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT FOOLISH AND UNLEARNED QUESTIONS AVOID; - see the notes at 2 Timothy 2:16; compare the notes at 1Ti 1:4, 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:7. The word “unlearned,” here, means “trifling; that which does not tend to edification; stupid.” The Greeks and the Hebrews were greatly given to controversies of v... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SERVANT OF THE LORD - Referring here primarily to the Christian minister, but applicable to all Christians; for all profess to be the servants of the Lord. MUST NOT STRIVE - He may calmly inquire after truth; he may discuss points of morals, or theology, if he will do it with a proper spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MEEKNESS INSTRUCTING THOSE THAT OPPOSE THEMSELVES - That is, those who embrace error, and array themselves against the truth. We are not to become angry with such persons, and denounce them at once as heretics. We are not to hold them up to public reproach and scorn; but we are to set about the b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT THEY MAY RECOVER THEMSELVES - Margin, “awake.” The word which is rendered “recover” in the text, and “awake” in the margin - ἀνανήψωσιν ananēpsōsin - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means, to become sober again, as from inebriation; to awake from a deep sleep, and... [ Continue Reading ]