Tag Archives: 2 Timothy

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Memorize Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:16-18

After encouraging Timothy on what he should be doing as a minister in the church in Ephesus, Paul turns briefly to what he should not be doing, and gives the example of a couple of men who fit the description of the false teachers.

See this passage for yourself at 2 Timothy 2:16-18:

2 Timothy 2:16-18

Paul just spent the previous verses explaining to Timothy what he should be doing as a minister, as a believer. He now turns to what Timothy should avoid. This is a pretty strong contrast to what the description of a workman approved by God should look like.

Godless chatter

The first thing he mentions here is “godless chatter.” He has already spoken of this to Timothy, in 1 Timothy 6:20 (1 Timothy 1:6 and Titus 3:9 also convey this idea). Paul’s first word in this statement is the word “avoid.” This is a pretty strong command, telling Timothy that he should do whatever it takes to stay away from such a thing. But just what exactly is this? The Greek word literally means “profane and worthless, empty noise.” These false teachers are using a lot of empty speech to spread their teachings. Look at verse 18 for an example, referring to how the false teachers handled the resurrection. They said that it was already past. Such teaching is nothing more than empty speech. But behind this chatter, the philosophical implications were powerful, and once they were accepted, they robed the gospel of its power.

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Memorize Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14-15

Paul moves into the fifth example in his series of illustrations in this second chapter. This illustration is familiar to a lot of people, and the latter half of this week’s passage has often been quoted to encourage believers to study the Word.

You can see this passage in 2 Timothy 2:14-15:

2 Timothy 2:14-15

Much like Paul’s first letter to Timothy, this second letter contains a series of instructions on how to deal with false teachers. In the previous passages, Paul has encouraged Timothy to stand strong in the faith, especially as one living and serving in a pagan world. As Paul begins this passage, he continues that encouragement, but in light of the false teachers that have apparently been a problem for Timothy since the first letter was written.

This passage can be broken into three parts, or three exhortations, from Paul to Timothy.

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Memorize Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-10

Paul proceeds to give Timothy some clear instructions in this week’s passage. After describing the “spirit” Timothy is to have, not one of fear and timidity, but one of power and love and self-discipline, Paul gives Timothy two clear commands, and the reasoning behind them.

You can see it for yourself in 2 Timothy 1:8-10:

2 Timothy 1:8-10

This passage begins with the word “so”, which is literally translated as “therefore.” This connects it directly back to what Paul just wrote about the spirit which was given to Timothy, and to Paul, and to us.

Paul’s statement begins with a request for Timothy’s continued faithfulness, both to Paul and to the gospel. This comes from Paul’s anguish in being imprisoned. He probably feels abandoned by many of his fellow workers and, based upon his close connection with Timothy, doesn’t want that to happen in that relationship as well.

Paul is suffering. He is in prison. He may be near the end of his life. Throughout his letters, he has always closely associated his own suffering with that of Christ, whether it is physical suffering and abuse, or the humiliation of the crucifixion. In order to understand his next two commands to Timothy, we need to see them through this lens of suffering, as Paul did.

In fact, both of these commands are two sides of the same coin.