Daily Scripture Reading 2Timothy 2:8 - 3:9
A common saying in our society is “Keep the main thing the main thing”. A similar phrase is “Major on the majors, not the minors.” The first verse in today’s passage contains a reminder of the main thing Christians should focus on. The main thing is a truth that serves as the foundation of Christianity. Paul preached that truth relentlessly, and we should do likewise.
In chapter one, Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong in the Lord and hold to the standards which he heard from Paul. Christians are soldiers of Christ, and our focus should be on pleasing Jesus.
2Tim. 2:8 ¶ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel,
The first three words of this verse are a command to remember Jesus. The next four words describe Jesus as “risen from the dead”. Out of every descriptor Paul could have used, he reminded Timothy that Jesus rose from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is essential to the gospel.
Modern society rejects the historicity of the miracles of Jesus and mocks people who believe in the miracles. They also mock the idea that Jesus rose from the dead. Thus, Christians today tend to shy away from proclaiming the miracles and resurrection. Instead of telling non-Christians that Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God and Lord, we try to convince people of all the earthly benefits people will receive as Christians.
That is a defect because the Christian faith is based on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Preaching the resurrection is the most important fact we should be proclaiming.
2Tim. 2:9 for which I endure hardship even to chains as a criminal. But the word of God has not been chained.
Notice the word “criminal”. Paul was being treated as a criminal.
2Tim. 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
2Tim. 2:11 It is a trustworthy saying:
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
2Tim. 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we will deny Him, He also will deny us;
2Tim. 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
2Tim. 2:14 ¶ Remind them of these things, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
2Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Look at the word “diligent”. Being diligent requires effort, focus, and intentionality. Paul told Timothy to focus on being approved by God.
Now look at the term “accurately handling”. One of the descriptors of an unashamed worker for God is accurately handling the Bible.
This is an area where 21st century evangelical leaders are failing. Modern Christianity is so focused on feelings and emotions that church leaders do not focus on the relentless pursuit of truth that is required to accurately handle the Bible. Since they want to make people feel good, they pluck individual verses out of context in order to give people a positive emotional high, completely ignoring the context of the verse. Then they ignore verses and passages that contain truths people do not want to hear.
2Tim. 2:16 But avoid godless and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
2Tim. 2:17 and their word will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2Tim. 2:18 who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
Paul taught the Jesus rose from the dead and someday deceased Christians would also rise from the dead. Apparently, Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching that the dead in Christ had already arisen.
2Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,” and, “EVERYONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF THE LORD is to DEPART FROM WICKEDNESS.”
2Tim. 2:20 ¶ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
2Tim. 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.
Paul drew a contrast between vessels intended for honorable use and those for dishonorable use. We have the same in our houses. Toilets have a purpose that is far less noble than the purpose of a kitchen sink.
In the following verses, Paul listed actions and traits we should pursue because they are honorable, as well as actions and traits we should eschew and reject because they are dishonorable.
2Tim. 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2Tim. 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
2Tim. 2:24 And the Lord’s slave must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
2Tim. 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may give them repentance leading to the full knowledge of the truth,
2Tim. 2:26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
2Tim. 3:1 ¶ But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
Take note of the phrase “in the last days”. The sins listed in the following verses are prevalent in our world today.
2Tim. 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Many forces in our world today encourage children to rebel against their parents.
2Tim. 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good,
2Tim. 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Many modern Christians are lovers of pleasure. Most church services are designed to be pleasurable and highly entertaining. Meanwhile, we love God by obeying God, and that is a teaching that is not prevalent in our churches today.
2Tim. 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Keep away from such men as these.
2Tim. 3:6 For among them are those who enter into households and take captive weak women weighed down with sins, being led on by various desires,
2Tim. 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.
2Tim. 3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, disqualified in regard to the faith.
2Tim. 3:9 But they will not make further progress, for their folly will be obvious to all, just as theirs was also.
A common saying in our world is “Keep the main thing the main thing.” The main thing in Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. Our faith is based on that truth. Unfortunately, modern evangelical leaders are so focused on making people feel good, that they are not relentlessly proclaiming the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.
Other than at Easter, how many times throughout the year does your Pastor mention the resurrection of Jesus?
If someone who knows nothing about Christianity started attending your church, would they have any clue that the resurrection is the foundation of our faith?
If a non-Christian visited your church’s website, would they have any clue that the resurrection is the essential truth that undergirds our belief system?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”