(a) This was his final message

(b) He was writing to his closest companion and alter ego Timothy. 

In light of his personal relationship with Timothy (‘son’) and his impending execution, Paul would be at pains to ensure Timothy was properly appraised of his personal responsibilities and those of the office as the one designated to continue the work. Timothy was still a relatively young man and could be timid at times but Paul had no doubts about Timothy’s ability under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to set things in order. (See Lesson 1 & 2). Paul sought to instruct, warn, enlighten, encourage and strengthen Timothy for the long and knowingly difficult work for God.   

Despite his desperate situation Paul found solace and encouragement in God’s faithfulness and maybe with his erstwhile friends in mind, he urged Timothy to a life of piety and commitment to the Apostles doctrine. The doctrine was right and so the lifestyle and personal conduct must be in harmony. 

Naturally there are a number of personal references in the letter; Paul was, after all, writing to a friend who would have been very interested in his personal circumstances. He used Timothy’s righteous upbringing by his mother and grandmother, his early manifest giftedness and the account of those who had deserted him along with the faithful friendship of Onesiphorus, as a backdrop to his exhortation and encouragement to Timothy. Paul sought to motivate Timothy in the ministry and give him the best advice possible.  

Then as now, false teachers were a constant threat to the church and clearly Paul was cognizant of this fact, as throughout the epistle the problem of false teachers is always in the background.

One of the major themes that run through Paul’s letters to Timothy was the handling of the ‘word of God’: the blessing of rightly dividing the word of truth, as well as the consequences of its misuse.  Timothy was to re-establish sound doctrine, teach and pass it on to faithful men. They in turn would continue the process so that future generations would have the blessing of pure doctrine and that God would be glorified. 

Paul will use a number of different illustrations to impress on Timothy the profile of a faithful believer and worker for God. Note that he does this after describing the cost of the life of discipleship.  Then he tells him the divine truth that should motivate him to live this lifestyle of sacrifice. For common to all the figures was the overriding message of single-minded dedication, faithfulness and endurance. He was to be a ‘good soldier’, suffer with Christ and live a life of purity. These are absolutes to which all believers must strive.

Central to all this, the believers focus, attention and thoughts, must be on the Lord Jesus Christ as they meditate frequently on their first love.  The entire emphasis is on Jesus, and our life in Christ and the rewards that will come from being in Christ.  The danger in denying Christ is made clear, but then the Apostle reminds Timothy and assures him of the faithfulness of God. God will always be faithful to his children. 

Today’s lesson then deals with a wide range of instructions for Timothy on how to conduct himself in this battle for men's souls and maintaining the truths of God. The recurring message for him was to endure and pursue righteousness.  There is much detail on how a warrior of God should conduct himself. 

Note that these truths are timeless. This timeless advice is what is necessary to equip us to deal with the very clever attacks upon Christians and on their faith.  

Paul had been telling Timothy how to maintain God's truth and stand firm as a Christian in a pagan world.  He would face persecution from the outside. Now Paul introduced Timothy and us to the second of the two fronts of the war they fight daily. The second front is trouble and polarization from those within the body and here the Devil employs different tactics.

THE TEXT

Verse 1-2.  Timothy like Paul, was to be strong through the grace of Christ. The doctrines he had been taught and heard Paul preach to many congregations, he was now to pass on to trustworthy men, who would in turn , pass it on to others. This would set in motion the propagation of apostolic doctrine and teaching.

Verse 3-6.   Unwavering commitment and single-mindedness to the cause is enjoined on Timothy in the pictures of the soldier, the athlete and the farmer. The soldier must forsake all else to devote himself to duty, the athlete must perform according to regulations to win the prize and the farmer labours and waits for his reward. All are pertinent to Timothy’s situation as a minister of the gospel. He must be content to deny yourself, to suffer and to wait for his reward.

Verse 11-13.   Here Paul used the hope of salvation to encourage Timothy to endure hardship. The fact of Jesus’ resurrection was a guarantee of the believers own future resurrection. The verse (11) was an accepted teaching and applied both to the present situation of believers and their future with Christ. In a way believers were like Christ in that they were not slaves to sin (dead) and could resist its allurements.

Believers essentially follow in Jesus’ footsteps both in suffering and rewards. If we share his indignities here, we will then share his rewards in heaven. Christians must identify with Christ in all areas of their lives. If they are unwilling to express their attachment to him before men in every way possible, Paul added the caveat then he will deny them (Matt.10:32-33).

Paul reminded Timothy that if ‘believers’ are unbelieving and unfaithful, Christ would be true to his word and they could not hope to be saved. This would serve to underline the consequences of unfaithfulness and motivate and encourage Timothy to be diligent in his duties and endure the trials of his ministry.

“That they strive not about words to no profit…” avoid foolish disputes concerning words (war over words) – this is a characteristic of false teachers who often twist the plain teaching of the word. They major in minor issues and cause contention in the church.  “…some having swerved and turned aside unto vain jangling;…” 1 Tim1:6 .

“He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”  1 Tim 6:4-5     

It is clear that such ministers are in the ministry to serve themselves, not God.  The outcome of those who teach false doctrine, purposefully or otherwise, is the subverting of those that hear their words.  One writer puts it this way:

“Turning them away from the simplicity of faith. It is rare, indeed, that a religious controversy does not produce this effect, and this is commonly the case, where, as often happens, the matter in dispute is of little importance.”

 Note that Timothy faced a two front war, consisting of persecution from the outside and trouble and dissension from inside the body. 

He was next told to handle these internal quarrels and dissensions by demonstrating a proper handling of the Scriptures, hence the stress in the next verse.

It is to be pointed out that it is not necessarily only false teachers that engage in these “ word battles”. Many times in church history we see the church struggling to define doctrines and then fighting terrible wars over the meaning of words.  Some of these ‘word battles’ have been extremely destructive and have led to unnecessary splits among believers. 

Today we note that they are divisive word battles in the area of prophecy and on what will happen in the time of the end.  Others areas of dispute include ‘inerrancy’ and about ‘ethics’ and how we should deal with some practical matters important for decision-making.   

Paul warned Timothy to be very careful in determining what are destructive disputings over ‘words’ and pointed to some that will lead to ruin of people. The destructive battle over words would be avoided by properly handling Scripture.

Verse 15.   Rather study…"be zealous, take pains" or "make every effort." in the pursuit of pleasing God. Approved means ‘tested for purity’ and was used of testing metals for their purity or inspecting animals before sacrifice. Believers must always endeavour to purify their motives and actions by rigorous self-examination and unswerving devotion to Christ-likeness of character. 

Ministers of the gospel and leaders in the church should be diligent in the study of the word; equipped and well able to defend the word.  “Holding fast to that which is true” and uncompromising in the teaching of pure doctrine.  This is the only way to win the approval of God and avoid the shame of not rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (1Thes.2:4).

Note, leaders must be workmen; they have work to do and they must take pains in it. Workmen that are unskilled or unfaithful or lazy, have need to be ashamed; but those dedicated to their business, who keep to their work are workmen that need not be ashamed. 

The practical implication is that in order for the minister to truly help those under his care, he must have a right understanding of the word and be able to wisely apply it to various situations or whatever circumstance might arise. One writer adds:

“The object of the ministry is not to please men. Such doctrines should be preached, and such plans formed, and such a manner of life pursued, as God will approve. To do this demands study or care - for there are many temptations to the opposite course; there are many things the tendency of which is to lead a minister to seek popular favor rather than the divine approval. If any man please God, it will be as the result of deliberate intention and a careful life.”  

Rightly dividing the word of truth…  The phrase literally means to ‘cut straight or to divide right’.  The idea seems to be that the minister is not only able to rightly and skilfully teach the word of truth but be able to judiciously make applications of the word in every appropriate situation.  

Note, to please God, the believer should approach the word of God with great fear and reverence. He knows that understanding the mind of God and accurately transmitting messages from God requires great effort, for the mind of the flesh constantly seeks to modify and muffle what God is saying. 

Hence it is very important to keep the word of God on a straight course, and not go off on tangents.  Unfortunately this happens all the while, for people do not treat the word of God as part of a consistent whole. 

So we stress that if a person wants to understand the truth of Scripture, he or she has to fit everything spoken in individual passages into what the Scriptures elsewhere speak about on that matter.  A person cannot simply take an individual passage, or what is said in a individual book of Scripture, concentrate on a few specific texts that they choose and create an entire doctrine.  

That kind of approach has led to terrible deviations in doctrines of the Holy Spirit, about the Sabbath, about the nature of Jesus, the nation of Israel, and many other matters. 

Verse 16-17.   In sharp contrast to the positive command of verse 15 Paul gave the prohibition here. The minister was to shun (go around so as to avoid) those arguments that treat the sacred as common (profane) and secular. These would be arguments characteristic of false teachers who lean to the high-sounding and impressive words to nullify, blunt, blur the lines between right and wrong and set-aside the teachings of scripture. Paul labelled such talk vain, empty or useless and to be avoided.  

Despite the seeming pointless nature of these conversations and arguments, they are neither neutral or harmless and according to Paul, lead to ungodliness. They are really godless chatter and empty babblings, even if they do not appear that way at first glance. These discussions invariably degenerate into sinful words and unwittingly or not they corrupt God’s truth. One started, this kind of doctrine or words, always leads to worse. They invariably degenerate into sinful words and unwittingly or not they corrupt God’s truth.  

Will eat…erroneous doctrines are likened to gangrene which destroys the infected area and the usual cure is amputation, due to its characteristic virulent spread to other areas if not arrested. Any attack on or the distortion of any truth of scripture necessarily skews other truths, because the teachings of scripture are so inter-connected. Errors then necessarily attack not just a particular truth but all related teachings. Thus the believer should be alert to avoid the slippery slope of error.  

Paul identified two of the false teachers and their infamy (vs. 18) has survived into perpetuity. At some point those who persist in error have to be identified publicly, if only for the protection of the church. 

Note that this man Hymenaeus had been mentioned in 1 Tim. 1:20 as a man who several years before had been delivered to Satan so that he would learn not blaspheme.  He had not learned his lesson and was still spreading false doctrines through the church. 

This was cancerous teaching by men who had defected from the true faith. We should not be silent when men are women begin to introduce teachings which deviate from the word of scripture.

Verse 18.   This was an attack on one of the foundations of the Christian faith (1Cor.15:12-19). Not surprising then that Paul characterizes the effects of this error as to “…overthrow the faith of some…”.  The particular error would certainly have far-reaching effects and definitely affect other basic doctrines. Whatever the particular form of the distortion, any deviation from the true understanding of a future bodily resurrection was a very dangerous departure and was so understood by Paul.  

Actually we must remember that in Ephesus and in the Greek world,

the accepted teaching was that there would be a spiritual resurrection, the spirit would live on, but the body which was evil, would never be resurrected.  Bodies were simply tombs restricting our spirits.  Many should be glad to escape their bodies. 

This false teacher was therefore accommodating himself to Greek pagan teaching.  By saying that the resurrection of believers was already past, he would be teaching that once a person has been born-again that is the only resurrection that would take place. 

Now it is true that a spiritual resurrection was already past, but he omitted to say that every believer would still experience a glorious future physical resurrection.  This was a dangerous half truth.  False teachers always have some element of truth but like Satan they never tell full truth. 

This deviant was ignoring the teaching of Jesus himself stated in John 5:28-28.  This was bad doctrinal defection.

Verse 19.   The apostasy, the falling-away notwithstanding, the foundation of the Church remained unmoved, since… “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”, (Eph.2:18-21). Yes, occasionally the purveyors of error would manage to overturn the faith of some but not to worry, the foundation remained unshaken.

The unbelief of men does not impact God’s promise to those who are faithful.

The foundation of God is absolutely firm. Timothy should not panic, for heresy and dissension in the church will not stop the salvation of God's chosen people. When Jesus brought Judas among his disciples, Jesus knew before choosing him that he was a devil.

Jesus knows his own and he knows also those that do not belong to him.

We know and can be absolutely confident, that no matter what the heresy or false teaching, the church of God will never be shaken, toppled, diminished or destroyed.

Our responsibility is to know those that are moving from the truth into iniquity, false doctrine and false teaching and remain confident; that true Christians with eventually identify whatever error they are attracted to as such and will eventually leave it.

Timothy should urge people to remember what Jesus said, remind them of who they are as children of God, ensure that he worked for an accurate understanding of scripture and avoid anxiety.

The Church is often portrayed as a building set on a solid foundation (Ephesians 2:20,21 1 Corinthians 3:9,10; Matthew 16:18) and here 

So some believe Paul alluded to the practice of placing an inscription (seal) on the foundation of a building that gave some indication of the builder, design or purpose of the building etc. The seal/inscription would be part of the foundation as long as the building lasted. The idea being, the church has this seal on it’s foundation: The Lord knoweth them that are his, regardless of how many might turn away from the Church or how many might be pretenders or hypocrites. The other foundational tenet in the church, is that God’s people must live holy lives and shun all sin and impiety. Those who ‘nameth the name of Christ’ are his people, called to a life of obedience and righteousness. Here is both an exhortation and an affirmation. The true church must maintain their Christ-like character and behavior in the face of apostasy and persecution.

Note, the fact God knows his people in the ‘church’ is both a comfort and assurance for Timothy and a warning for the insincere.

Verse 20-21.   These verses are important for addressing those people who really feel and want to do something for God. In all this though remember that God even uses his enemies like Pharaoh, and even the devil to accomplish his work. 

God is Majestic, supreme, sovereign and whether or not we like it, he will use anyone to accomplish his purposes. (Read Romans 9.) We all must ask ourselves, for what purpose does God use us? 

Are we vessels of honor, useful, kept permanently by God, or are we used but not presentable and worthy to be displayed, disposed of after maybe only one use? 

Staying with the ‘church as a building’ illustration

(I Tim. 3:15, I Peter 2:5, 4:17, Paul would have Timothy know that as in any great house so it is in the church; there are fine Christians whose lives are a testimony to God’s grace and power. But there are also others in the house whose "earthy" lifestyles are an embarrassment to the name of God.  So some in the church will be ‘vessels of wood and earth’, these are the vessels of dishonor. But while they exist in the church, there are also ‘vessels of gold and silver. They are the ones who bring honor to God.

….therefore links verse 21 to verse 20 and Paul seemed to urge true believers to disengage themselves from the vessels of dishonor. They would be the false teachers, members in blatant carnality and others,

(I Cor 5:11-13; 2 Thess. 3:16-15; Titus 3:10-11). 

Note, believers should divide their time between unbelievers (evangelism) and other sincere believers (discipleship or fellowship). They should not maintain intimate relationships with "vessels unto dishonor," then it will be only a matter of time until they become tainted. Be not deceived, Evil company corrupt good morals,1 Cor.15:33. 

Believers must be purged from corrupt opinions, associations and practices and so be sanctified for the Master’s use and prepared unto every good work.

We must come to church, learn the truth of the Word of God and apply them to ourselves.  We will not be used by God, except we repent and commit ourselves to turning away from what is wrong, reject the philosophy and the rewards of the world. When we are ready for the ways of God, we will become useful and profitable to God and he will use us to accomplish his great will.

Verse 22.   Despite Timothy’s deserved reputation for chastity and piety, Paul knew he was still subjected to the passions of youth, so much of which are the expressions of the flesh. It is also clear that it takes more than just avoiding evil characters to be a ‘vessel of honor’. So Timothy was very firmly commanded to flee youthful lusts and instead pursue righteousness, faith, charity and peace, in the fellowship and company of other sincere and obedient believers.  

The word pursue means to go after something.  Note, all these things that Timothy was told to pursue are gifts from God. He was told that to get these gifts he had to pursue them, go after them to get them.

The idea was for Timothy to practise all that was good and virtuous. He was to observe righteousness, or justice and equity in all his dealings with men; faith, or fidelity and diligence; charity, or love to all men, peace, or harmony and accord with all others. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit was to characterize his personal life and be evident in all his relationships.  

Note, these virtues are the antidote for youthful and all forms of sinful lust and are enjoined on all believers.

. . . with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure hear.. .not only must believers flee ungodly companions, they should cultivate godly companions. There is no recognition in scripture for the "lone ranger" Christian. The true believer must build some "iron sharpening iron" relationships (Prov. 27:17).  This means that we ought to be very careful who we chose as our most intimate friends; "Can two walk together unless they be agreed? Amos 3:3. The unity of the saints will keeps us from fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

Verse 23.   The Greeks were given to endless discussions, controversies and debates, many of which were circular and interminable. Paul called these trifling and advised Timothy that they were to be avoided, having no edification but usually leading to ill-tempered quarrels. The servant of God was to ‘pass’ or ‘beg-off’ on the occasions these useless controversies arose.

Verse 24-25.   God’s servants should be seeking to teach and the patient, gentle approach is conducive to such an end.

These verses address problems and arguments in the church, though it applies to relationships with outsiders.  Paul had previously taught that there would be controversies or heresies in the church but these were to be handled with Christian maturity, (See 1 Cor. 11:19). The reason is that one should expect some in the church, to not be as knowledgeable in the scriptures as they should be.  In addition those outside would be even more ignorant.

The Spirit controlled individual should exude a certain calmness of demeanour that others will find attractive and drawn to, thereby multiplying opportunities for fellowship and evangelism. 

Humility is at the root of the quality Paul had in mind, a lack of aggression and a reluctance to retaliate or dominate. Rather,

consideration for others should be the reputation of the servant of God. Believers should be peaceable, seeking to soothe rather than aggravate, even while insisting on the truth. Still God’s servant must take an authoritative stand for truth against those who would challenge or pervert it. But this stand must be done in a spirit of humility and meekness. 

A genuine desire and concern to see others come to a knowledge of the saving grace of God which they themselves have experienced, should be the motive as believers engage others. The saints should be mindful that God may or may not use their reasonings and exhortations but it is He that actually convicts men; "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God Who gives the increase" I Cor. 3:5-7. 

Believers should not be dogmatic but, in meekness, seek to maintain dialogue in the hope God would open people’s eyes to his truth. Those opposed seemed to have deliberately embraced error and are ignorant of the truth and should not be held up to ridicule or scorn. Rather, the scriptures prescribe that they be instructed in the truth. 

Note Christians are most like their Master when they have the same response to the hostile as well as the gracious, when they love enemies as well as his friends, Luke 6:32-36.

Verse 26.   Here Paul gave the reason for his though of verse 25; it was so that those in error might be recovered from the snare of the Devil who had taken them captive. Another confirmation of an oft-stated fact of Scripture, the Devil is the author of error. 

Paul pictured those in error as being both in a stupor (drunkenness) and in the trap of the Devil. Either way their situation demanded help. Any one in Satan’s trap has one foot in hell. This is the situation that the saints must attempt to change when they engage those who are in error, or who are otherwise beguiled by Satan. 

It is also clear that Satan is actively laying his trap for the unwary or careless Christian and once snared, their recovery requires divine intervention. Paul’s representation shows that those trapped by Satan are unaware of their danger, as he has them brainwashed and oblivious to their peril. The Devil fully intends to keep them ensnared and enslaved as his servants, doing his will.

One writer notes: It is a rather sobering thought to realize that none of us can escape being used, whether by the Prince of peace or by the Prince of darkness. All of us are playing a part on the stage of human history, and our performance will promote either good or evil, light or darkness, Christ or Satan.

There is no comfortable middle ground; no haven for the complacent and mediocre saint, though many would vainly imagine that there is. "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad" Matt.12:30.

CONCLUSION

Paul exhorted Timothy to be a faithful servant of the Lord. He asked him to rise above the influence of ungodliness, false teaching and evil people, and to set the church right. To do so he had to keep his mind on the truth of God and be sure that he and his people avoided the impact of false teaching.

Timothy would need unwavering commitment and endurance in the face of apostasy and hostility. He would need to be beyond reproach in personal conduct and be able to quell the impulses of the ‘flesh’ so common to the young.

The job description was nothing short of daunting and has come down to all Christians in some form. Clearly this is an overwhelming situation for mere mortals but not to worry, the power of the Holy Spirit made Timothy and makes us equal to the task.

Paul exhorted Timothy to a life of holiness and the pursuit of righteousness as a framework for the accomplishment of the task set before him. That same advice is as relevant today as it was to Timothy and Christians today are exhorted to the same, in accomplishing whatever task God has set before them.

Timothy was to understand that he carried with him love of God and so he should make himself useful for God, so that Satan will be thwarted in his program to ‘catch men alive’ and turn them into destroyers of men.

Let us remember that none of us can escape being used. The only choice is whether we choose to be used by Jesus Christ, the glorious Prince of peace, or whether weak tools to be used by the Prince of darkness. There is no middle ground, no place of rest or comfort for the complacent and lazy, Matthew 12:30 tells us plainly:

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad.”