2 Timothy. Who is a Spiritual Christian?
Paul wrote a letter, shortly before his execution, to Timothy who was leading the church in Ephesus. He summarises what is most important in a Christians life emphasising that the most important feature of a spirit-filled life is holding firmly to Jesus. Early in the letter Paul writes,
“I am reminded of your sincere faith.” 2 Timothy 1:5
Nothing is more important than to remain in a faithful relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Clarence Jordan
Clarence Jordan was such a Christian man with unusual abilities and commitment. He had two PhD’s, one in agriculture and one in Greek and Hebrew. So gifted was he, he could have chosen to do anything he wanted but he chose to serve the poor. In the 1940s, he founded a farm in Georgia, and called it Koinonia Farm. It was a community for poor whites and poor blacks. As you might guess, such an idea did not go over well in the Deep South of the '40s. Ironically, much of the resistance came from church people who followed the laws of segregation as much as the other folk in town. The town people tried everything to stop Clarence. They tried boycotting him, and slashing workers' tires when they came to town. Over and over, for fourteen years, they tried to stop him.
Finally, in 1954, the Ku Klux Klan had enough of Clarence Jordan, so they decided to get rid of him once and for all. They came one night with guns and torches and set fire to every building on Koinonia Farm but Clarence's home they riddled with bullets. They chased off all the families, except one black family which refused to leave. Clarence recognized the voices of many of the Klansmen, and, as you might guess, some of them were church people. Another was a local newspaper reporter. The next day, the reporter came out to see what remained of the farm. The rubble still smouldered and the land was scorched, but he found Clarence in the field, hoeing and planting.
“I heard the awful news,” he called to Clarence, “and I came out to do a story on the tragedy of your farm closing.”
Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. The reporter kept prodding, kept poking, trying to get a rise from this quietly determined man who seemed to be planting instead of packing his bags. So, finally, the reporter said in a haughty voice,
“Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.s and you've put fourteen years into this farm, and there's nothing left of it at all. Just how successful do you think you've been?”
Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blue eyes, and said quietly but firmly,
“About as successful as the cross. Sir, I don't think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We're staying. Good day.”
Beginning that day, Clarence and his companions rebuilt Koinonia and the farm is going strong today.
The question Paul goes on to answer is what Christian faithfulness means.
Keep praying
Paul’s prayers demonstrated that his whole life revolved around living for God. He constantly prayed out of gratefulness to God and particularly for people’s walk with God.
“I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” 2 Timothy1:3
What does it say about a person’s walk with his heavenly Father and Saviour if prayer is treated indifferently?
Keep Witnessing to non-Christians
Some may think this is a strange way for Paul to move onto in his description of the features of a real faith, but this is what he does,
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.” 2 Timothy 1:8
An open acknowledgement that ‘Jesus is Lord’ is a fundamental requirement for all Christians. Paul had written to the Romans,
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
The church in Mongolia was very small when the communist regime fell and a parliamentary democracy started in 1990. But in just 30 years, 2.1 per cent of the population have put their faith in Jesus. This rapid growth has come about largely through personal evangelism. Tsogoo is now a Physics professor at Khovd university who is now a Christian who loves teaching the Bible to men’s groups. He had no Christian background or knowledge at all until a friend returned with a strange book and a new faith. His friend encouraged him to read the Bible and he became intrigued. A few years later he declared himself to be a Christian and he also committed himself to acquainting those he meets with the message of the Bible.
Could this opening indicate that Paul considers a longing to share the faith in Jesus as an essential mark of being spiritual?
Keep teaching the Bible
This is what Paul asks Timothy to do next, to keep on sharing God’s message to others.
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you . . .” 2 Timothy 1:13-14
We guard the gospel by faithfully passing it on, otherwise it will die with us! The prime purpose of a church is to teach the Word of God to others and encourage people to keep living by its precepts. Paul repeatedly returns to this theme. Later in this letter Paul again emphasises that the Bible is central to the Christian faith.:
“. . . and how from infancy you have known the Scriptures that are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of god may be equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
In the final chapter teaching what the Bible teaches becomes the impassioned plea,
“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, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4
Train others to pass on the gospel
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Training others is vital in a church and vital for a successful Christian. What a disaster it is when people expect the minister to be doing the evangelism, pastoring and teaching of a church. No, we should all be thinking how we can pass on what we have learnt to others, including children in our families and others around.
An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service.
“Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy.”
The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling.
“I feel it all," he replied, "but God knows I've tried to do my duty.”
On that day the minister's heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign. After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked,
“Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher--perhaps a missionary?”
Again tears welled up in the minister's eyes.
“Ah, this heals the ache I feel,” he said. “Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher.”
Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa's most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk. Lord, help us to be faithful. Then give us the grace to leave the results to you.
There are Christian groups that feel secure because they adhere to orthodox Christian doctrine and who may even give lip service to evangelism but which die out because they are so introspective. They haven’t followed what the Bible teaches about becoming salt of society, their members don’t actually invite friends to join their group to hear the gospel. They do not take the time to make friends with those outside the faith but think that God will work just because they ask him to. Prayer is key but not a substitute for living the life. One test is to ask ourselves who of our friends we are praying for. Another test is to look at how many outsiders are attending their Bible study groups. A third test is to look back and think which non-Christians we have either spoken to about Jesus or invited to come and hear about him in the last month.
Paul’s letter to Titus begins with this need,
“. . . straighten out was was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town . . . He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught.” Titus 1:5,9
“There are many rebellious people . . .They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach.” Titus 1:10-11
Make living for Christ your life’s work
For many Christians today there is little to differentiate them, during the working week, from their secular friends; their speech and behaviour are little different. Paul compares the single-minded commitment a representative of Jesus should have to the singled-minded commitment of a soldier, an athlete or a farmer.
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” 2 Timothy 2:5-7
At times hard decisions about our priorities will have to be made. One stormy night in Birmingham, England, Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China, was to speak at a meeting at the Severn Street schoolroom. His hostess told him that nobody was likely to attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. “I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper.” Less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come.
Remain Christ-centred
There are many emphases within today’s churches, such as helping alleviate social needs with food banks, water wells for Africa, and supporting those with health problems. These are all worthy causes and should be supported; however it is easy for these to become the church’s main concern and replace the teaching of the gospel; everyone has a need for Jesus. A spiritual Christian will keep the relationship with Jesus right at the centre of their daily life. Everything Christians do should be to please Jesus and bring him honour. Paul wrote to emphasise this,
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:8
The message of the church is essentially how people may become right with God so they can serve him. The Bible is clear, people can only serve God and go to heaven if they have personally put their faith in Jesus.
“There I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” 2 Timothy 2:10
All Christians have been chosen by God to both glory in Christ and to glorify Christ, by passing his message on to others so that they may be saved.
Professor David Short of Aberdeen was the Queens Physician in Scotland. He was very eminent and highly regarded. One day, he overheard some people talking about him: they were saying what a great person he was in so many areas. But he noticed that they did not mention his being a Christian. He then realised that much of what he had done in medicine had been for his glory and not for the glory of the Lord Jesus. We have been chosen to be Christians in order that we might glorify Christ and nothing less.
One of the common arguments for leaving Christ out of our conversations is that we might lose friends or influence. We may be rejected or not invited back. The devil loves such arguments. So many have drifted from Christ because of such thinking; they think of the price and not the privilege and future glory in paradise that there is for those who remain in Christ. Of course we must we wise how we say things. We must not be the offence, but people will inevitably find the message of the cross foolish (1 Corinthians 1:17-18).
Paul wrote,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered from the truth. They say the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.” 2 Timothy 2:15-18
So a spiritual Christian is someone who is determined to obey God as we have been taught in his word and does not drift from this.
A spiritual Christian is also someone who lives in the certain knowledge that Jesus has saved them from the consequences of their sin but who also knows that they will have to give an account to him of the decisions they have made in life.
“If a man cleanses himself from the latter (ignoble purposes), he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared for any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:21-22
To be spiritual is hard work. We are accepted freely into God’s kingdom and are empowered so that we can do this work for him. Church history is full of groups and individuals who think they are safe because they have accepted orthodox beliefs or are in the right organisation but have not moved on to walk the talk. Bonhoeffer called such teaching ‘cheap grace’ – it produces shallow impotent Christians.
To become a spirit-filled person means to be determined to have God at the centre of my life. To be a spiritual man is costly, it will affect how we spend our time, our finances, and our priorities.
Remain loyal to your church and Christians in difficulties
It is all to easy to become upset with others in our churches and look for other groups to join. There may be a time, if Scriptural truths are not being taught in a church and you feel you cannot bring people to hear the gospel there, and there seems no hope of changing this,for a move to be necessary. However most church hoppers do so for less honourable reasons, for their own preferences, prestige or purposes. Paul had been faithful in passing on what Jesus had taught and yet some, such as Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Timothy 2:17) and Alexander (2 Timothy 4:14) had deserted him for worldly reasons
Stand against false teachers
Today there are are so many sects and false teachers about. Christians in Africa are being inundated with ‘health and wealth teaching’ that has infiltrated the continent from America. This encourages people to see material and physical benefits as the reward for being Christians. Sects such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and the so-called Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), that do not teach Biblical truths and are not therefore Christian, are seducing many people all over the world.
There are those who think that criticising the teaching of other groups is unloving. Paul thinks it is vital, he specifically names Alexander and says,
“You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.” 2 Timothy 4:15
Paul began his first letter to Timothy with this concern,
“ . . . so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer . . .” 1 Timothy 1:3
Conrad Mbewe has pastored in Lusaka, Zambia, since 1987 and has seen prosperity teaching become an unwelcome guest that has taken up permanent residence in Africa. A Reformed Baptist, he hopes to see a revival of the true gospel in his country. He has said,
“We need to address prosperity theology here in Africa because it has replaced the true gospel of salvation with a kind of “gospel” that is no gospel at all. This is happening in what once were mainstream evangelical circles. Everywhere, especially on radio and television, almost all you hear is this message about how God in Christ wants us to be physically healthy and materially prosperous. You hardly ever hear sermons about sin and repentance. So salvation has now become deliverance from sickness and poverty. It is temporal rather than eternal. Prosperity theology is like the Arabian camel that gave the impression it simply wanted a little space in the tent, but now the whole of it is inside and the true gospel is outside.”
The effect of false teaching is false living. Paul gives a long list of the consequences of rejecting God, finishing with,
“. . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:4-5
Paul contrasts this with the character of someone dedicated to Christ,
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings . . .” 2 Timothy 3:10-11
Willing to suffer for Christ
A successful Christian is willing to suffer because of his commitment to Christ. Suffering only comes to those who put their heads above the parapet and speak up for Christ. Lie low and the flak will fly past you to others. Just be kind and respectful and no-one will trouble you. But Paul says,
In fact everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12
Pleasing Jesus matters more to the spiritual man than pleasing others.
Looks forward to being with Christ in eternity
What a wonderful summary Paul could give of his own life as it comes to an end; his execution was fast approaching. He could say,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day – and not to me, but also to all who have have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7
The spiritual person will be able to say something similar at the end of their life.
Summary
A successful Christian is therefore a person who is sold out to the service of his Saviour. Jesus does want all his people to be effective and productive for him, but he will only use those who work hard at being the sort of people he wants. Peter wrote at the end of his life about what really matters. We rely on the free grace of God for our acceptance by him but then build on this.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8
We must ‘make every effort’ to be like Jesus in our character and purpose. Jesus’ priority was to train up future leaders who would be effective in establishing his church. God wants all his people to work hard at becoming good, knowledgable and godly people and so becoming effective and productive for him.
Is that really me?
BVP
2 Timothy 2:1-13. Soldiers for Christ
The word ‘soldier’ comes 54 times in the Old Testament and 36 times in the New. The Bible teaches us that Christians are signed up soldiers of Christ. William Booth was a Methodist preacher who established the Salvation Army as a missionary organisation to fight against the forces of sin and evil. He thought that this required a more disciplined and organised approach than seen in other denominations. He adopted ranks like ‘officers’ and the use of uniforms.
The apostle Paul was also concerned that some churches and their leaders had an undisciplined approach to their Christian lives which was to the detriment of both the individuals and the churches. Some were preferring the comfortable life rather than a costly one. They liked a gospel that does not involve carrying the cross. To be a Christian, the Bible says you must “take up your cross” — which means daily, loyal, self-denying commitment to Christ, even when it’s costly. Jesus said:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
This is a compulsory command of our Commanding officer, it is not an option.
Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his last will and testament shows this longing that church leaders and the churches understand the need for commitment and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 2:1-13 is a marvellous passage which exhorts Christians to be strong. In Paul’s first open letter to Timothy he had listed the qualifications that church elders and pastors need to have. They all need to be able to manage their households and keep their children respectful in every way.
“He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)” 1 Timothy 3:4-5
If a man is so weak that he cannot look after his own children, how can he lead a church: There must be some strength of character if people are to respect a leader.
This passage begins:
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1
Note he doesn’t say,
“Dear Timothy, my son, you cannot do this in your own strength, wait on God to do it.”
In contrast to such common thinking today Paul says ‘Be strong’. Christians have been given God’s Spirit, we have his power, now we must get on and use him. Paul had reminded Timothy at the beginning of this letter:
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
If we have been given this Spirit from God, what are we to do? Paul continued:
“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life.” 2 Timothy 1:8-9
The ‘us’ in this section must refer to all Christians. We must be strong and determined. As we step out and act for Christ we then find that we have the power to achieve the goal.
The British Soldiers Values and Standards booklet explains:
“All soldiers need courage, both physical and mora;”
This certainly applies to soldiers for Christ. The RAFs ‘Ethos and Core Values and Standards’ describes moral courage as -
“The Conviction to do what you believe to be right, even though it might be unpopular or dangerous and the personal cost may be high.”
Jesus who we follow and whose Spirit has been given to us, was the most morally courageous person ever to live. He gave up everything in this world for us.
What was Timothy to prioritise?
Teaching others about Jesus is the priority and that can be tough. After telling Timothy to be strong he says:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Just as Paul’s priority in life was to teach people about Jesus, so Timothy was to make this his priority. But it doesn’t stop there - those he taught were to make it a priority to teach others the gospel. Nothing has changed.
Not, ‘Lord I can’t do this, you will have to do this by your Spirit.’ Instead Paul is saying ‘Get out there, take a lead, be strong, teach others and then you will find that God’s grace is with you. It can be painful and costly.
Three illustrations of the Christian life
Paul continues to give three examples, of a soldier, an athlete and a farmer.
A soldier
He starts with the life of a soldier:
“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Being a soldier is a dangerous way of living. You may be shot at. It will invite fighting. Paul applies these illustrations as he look s back at his life that was soon to be ended,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race . . “ 2 Timothy 4:7
If we are to be soldiers for Christ we will be attacked. Anyone who wants to be a christian servant without receiving scars will never be Mr Valiant for Truth. This doesn’t mean we are spoiling for a fight and love the quarrel. Look on to later in this chapter:
“Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” 2 Timothy 2:14
And again a little later:
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:23-24
We can all see the point, our weapon is teaching the Word of God, arguments not only have no place but are definitely harmful.
Paul finished his first letter to Timothy with this same military analogy;
“Guard what has been entrusted to your care.” 1 Timothy 6:20
Be on guard for there are many around who have lost this commission. Paul says ‘Don’t become like them, be a soldier for Christ.
“Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21
Two characteristics of a man in active service:
“He doesn’t let himself be distracted by the preoccupations of civilian life.”
“His thinking is dominated by a single-minded concern to carry out his Commanding Officer’s plans.
This is why we are soldiers of the Lord Jesus. The motto of the US Marine Corps would be a great motto for Christians. It is ‘Semper Fi’, short for the Latin ‘Semper Fidelis’ which means ‘Always faithful’.
An athlete
Paul now uses another illustration to make a similar point,
“Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5
These words are not so much about the rules of the match but about the preparation. If you want to make the grade and be a top athlete and represent your nation there is no alternative to hard work and regular discipline, even when you are tired and don’t feel like it.
The most prestigous of the Games in Paul’s time were the Olympic Games that took place in Olympia, in the Peloponnese every four years. These were held between 776 BC to at least the 4th century AD. Every athlete had to swear an oath at the Altar of Zeus Horkios (Zeus of Oaths) The oath was made in the presence of the statue of Zeus, holding thunderbolts in both hands — symbolizing divine witness and judgment. This was their oath:
“I swear by Zeus that I have been in training for ten months and will not violate the rules of the Games.”
This 10-month training period was mandatory. This oath wasn’t just a formality — it was a sacred pledge of discipline and integrity. Breaking the oath or the rules could result in public disgrace, fines, or statues of Zeus (Zanes) erected to shame cheaters.
The spiritual seriousness of the oath mirrors Paul’s use of athletic metaphors in Scripture showing that discipline, self-control, and honor were central both in sport and in faith. Paul used this analogy when he wrote to the weak church at Corinth:
“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. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25–27
Christchurch puts on morning and evening services and home groups primarily to train and equip God’s people to go into the world to shine for the Lord. That is how we worship him best. If you have the interpersonal skills and ability to teach, aim to be a teacher, starting in your home group. It is the preparation to teach that teaches the teachers most.
A hard working farmer
“The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” 2 Timothy 2:6
Farmers have always been known to be hard-working. Getting up early, working late, going to market, selling their wares. This is what Christians should be like.
In the 1662 Church of England Book of Common Prayer, in the service for the ordination of presbyters, the Bishop says these words,
“Consider how studious you ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures and for the self-same cause, how you ought to forsake and set aside all worldly cares and studies and give yourself wholly to this office.”
These words should surely apply to all who aspire to be elders and leaders in their church. As Paul said in 1 Timothy:
“. . . train yourself to be godly.” 1 Timothy 4:7
The context of this is beware new theologies that are not what Jesus and his disciples emphasised and beware of stories that other people tell you:
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly” 1 Timothy 4:7
Remember there are no short cuts to being an effective soldier or athlete. We must encourage each other to keep going with the training. We neglect this to our own peril and to the peril of the church. Look on to what Paul continues to say:
“. . . devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift,” 1 Timothy 4:13-14
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:15
We must not only teach others, we must apply it to ourselves. Let us all ask ourselves, ‘Am I getting to know God’s Word well so I can pass on the message to others’. ‘How effective am I at persuading others to join Jesus and his church?
Llewellyn Roberts was a great pastor who became the Principal of a Bible College. He was asked to speak to ministerial students and gave a great account about his very effective ministry in earlier years. After the talk he was surrounded by students and one student asked him:
“Mr Roberts, what is the secret of success in ministry?”
Everyone wants to know short cuts we can follow. His reply was very apostolic, although he couldn’t say his ‘h’s’. He looked at the student with a slightly quizzical face and said,
“‘ard work. Just ‘ard work”
A major part of what he did with young people was to ensure he really became close friends with them all so they wanted to bring their friends to meet him. What was interesting that after he said this the crowd of students quickly melted away.
Unfortunately this is the thinking of many today. Christian ministry whether full time or part-time is not rewarding enough. Low pay and a lot of pressure. What is being forgotten is the ministry of Jesus. Of course taking up the cross is tough but don’t forget there is a resurrection too. Isn’t that worth working towards?
When we were last in Ethiopia we saw an increasing number of able young people going into what they call ‘glory ministry’. They expect not prison but prosperity, not tears but triumph. Many today like to hear about such ministries. The web is full of miraculous glory stories.
Those who are living for this world’s priorities should read on:
The example of Jesus and his apostles
Life for Jesus and his apostles was far from easy:
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.” 2 Timothy 2:8-9
It was hard work. There is little point in praying that God’s spirit will work if we are not working hard for the Lord. Throughout this country open Brethren meetings and this mistake. People would pray that god would bring outsiders to their evening gospel service but week after week it was the same six who attended.
But someone may reply,
“Surely we need to emphasise the supernatural power of the risen Christ.”
Paul would answer. Yes I do believe in the resurrection of Christ. I do believe in the power of the Spirit. But Jesus taught us that we must take up our cross. And that there is no easy short cut to success. Listen to what Paul experienced as he lived for Christ, for the gospel:
“This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.” 2 Timothy 2:8-9
What would Jesus or Paul say about the lackadaisical, casual, halfhearted version of Christianity that is so rife in so many denominations in the West. We must work much harder to get the gospel message known in our society.
Some said in Paul’s time.
“Why did God allow Paul to be imprisoned for so long? We have prayed often for Paul’s release so he could have an open door for the gospel but all God did was to have him locked up behind doors. Doesn’t this suggest that Paul is out of the will of God.”
People at Philippi thought like this and Paul wrote to them
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12
Mass rallies may be out of the question but we can still win people one by one. It must have been a great privilege to be a soldier who was chained to Paul for four hours a time. Can you imagine the set-piece lines that Paul would have used to get them chatting about Jesus? Perhaps,
“Do you know why I am here?”
“What do you know about Jesus of Nazareth?”
And so he would explain to those men the gospel story
Look at verse 9:
“But God’s word is not chained . . .”
There is still a place for evangelistic services but by far the best way to get people there is by personal invitation. Baptism services are great for this. Wasn’t I good to see how George and Sorcha had invited may non-churchgoers to come. Similarly our open air baptism services are so easy to invite people to come and hear the gospel in a n enjoyable loving environment.
Paul himself was happy to live such a life that he knew would result in him having to endure suffering. He knew the Lord was with him and that his Lord had allowed him to suffer. He knew that God was using the situation he was in:
“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” 2 Timothy 2:10
Mote his confidence in having an eternal perspective. That is where his great reward will come.
Let us look at our Lord’s own example and the decision he wants each of us to make:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
We all have a choice to make, we have either died with him and are enduring with him or we are being secret Christians who don’t find ways to draw others to him. Unfortunately there will be some who were involved with Christ but have turned their backs on him. Such people will be disowned by Christ at the judgment. If we are not ‘out and out’ believers we will scape into heaven, because God is faithful, but the question is what sort of reception will we get. Will he say to us -
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:23
It really will be well worth while making our service of him our life’s priority.
On a trip to India a senior Christian from the USA was talking with someone who had been a Hindu priest, named Satis Prasad. The Indian said he wanted to come to our country to work as a missionary among the Americans. The Christian assumed that that he wanted to convert Americans to the Hindu religion, but when asked, Satis Prasad said,
“Oh no, I would like to convert them to the Christian religion. Christianity cannot survive in the abstract. It needs not membership, but believers. The people of your country may claim they believe in Christianity, but from what I read at this distance, Christianity is more a custom than anything else. I would ask that either you accept the teachings of Jesu in your everyday life and in your affairs as a nation, or stop invoking His name as sanction for everything you do. I want to help save Christianity for the Christian."
“Keep reminding God’s people of these things.” 2 Timothy 2:14
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God’s Priorities 2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:6
Edmund Burke, an eighteenth century writer and thinker, said,
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
How true this is of Christian people. Our inaction has opened the doors for so much wrong. John Wesley, the eighteenth century preacher was concerned about his own life. He wrote in his diaries that he used to pray,
“Lord, cure me of my intermittent piety (occasional holiness) and make me thoroughly Christian.”
What does it mean to be ‘thoroughly Christian’ today? What is a successful Christian?
Imagine an old man with failing health who is very poor. He is separated from his family. He doesn’t even have a coat to wear. He changed his career in mid life and now has no benefits. The new organisation he joined has its ups and downs. Now he is in prison on capital charges. It very much appears that his life expectancy is very short. Is he successful?
When Paul wrote to Timothy, a young Church leader in the first century AD, he encouraged him not to be intermittently pious but to continually ‘fulfil his ministry’ – to be a model Christian. If you look up the word model in a dictionary you will see that it can either mean “an ideal example” or “a small imitation of the real thing”. In Paul’s day, in Wesley’s day and in our day, too many settle to be a “small imitation of the real thing” rather than determining to be “an ideal example”.
In this article we shall be looking at being “thoroughly Christian” or “an ideal example” should mean for Timothy and then apply this to ourselves.
Timothy’s World
Paul foresees what the world would be like in the ‘last days’. This is an official term and refers to all the years between Jesus’ ascension into heaven and his second coming – from 29 AD when the Acts of the Apostles began till the end of time. It does not mean just the short time immediately before Jesus returns in glory.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Paul foresees that society and even the church will descend into frank selfishness. People will neither be lovers of good nor lovers of God. Instead they will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive. There will be little love for other people. We can surely see many of these characteristics in our society today.
Even more startling is the final phrase in this paragraph – “. . . having a form of godliness”. Many would still keep up with religious activities even though they would not be followers of the one true God. They will follow worldly religions that focus on pleasing themselves and which do not result in the key features of godliness, which is god-likeness or Christ-likeness.
We may expect this in non Christian faiths but today many so-called Christian groups have lost their focus. It is not difficult to pack a church if you offer what people want, with popular music and self-affirming sermons. Willow Creek has been one of the most successful churches at drawing outsiders in and they are to be applauded for many of their initiatives. But it has been this very desire to be successful that has sometimes restricted what they teach. Recently Bill Hybels, their minister, has apologised for this,
"We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have ... taught people, how to read their Bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."
This is clearly a step in the right direction. There is however a distinction between knowing the Word of God and living by its teaching. In many Bible teaching churches there is still much godlessness. One example is the immorality in many Bible believing churches, The evangelical magazine, ‘Christianity Today’ tends to be read by college educated church leaders. They surveyed one thousand subscribers and asked anonymously about their personal lives. Twenty three per cent said they had had extra-marital sex and forty five percent said they had been involved in something ‘sexually inappropriate’. We in our churches do have a major problem with godlessness!
Today many Christians misunderstand the word ‘believe’. It comes from old English word ‘leiben’ which is till found in German. It means ‘to love’. When the Bible talks about ‘believe’, it does not mean ‘to accept an idea or doctrine’. It is a personal word, it means to be committed to a person, to love somebody. No-one is saved by accepting christian doctrines or even going through baptism or confirmation, if they are not committed to following Jesus, God who entered this world in the flesh.
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy when he was suffering in prison. He was shortly to be executed. He was lonely, cold and bored. Towards the end of his letter he asked Timothy to bring his cloak and reading material (2 Timothy 4:13). Whilst Paul languishes in prison because of his work for the Lord Jesus the young church is becoming increasingly worldly.
What is striking however is Paul’s deepest concern. The thought of his imminent execution is not a major feature in this letter. It is thought that, shortly after writing this letter, he was beheaded on the Ostian way just outside Rome but in this letter he appears to be well adjusted to this idea. Nor are his physical problems stressed. It was still his ministry for Christ that mattered most to Paul. He writes,
“Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11
Gospel ministry is what mattered above everything else to Paul, just as it was the overwhelming priority of the Lord Jesus himself. In this letter Paul comments about the many people in the early church who had deserted him, saying,
“ . . everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me.” 2 Timothy 1:15
“. . at my trial everyone deserted me.” 2 Timothy 4:16
In spite of this feeling of rejection Paul presses on with his gospel ministry,
“. . that through me the gospel might be fully proclaimed.” 2 Timothy 4:16
It is clear that Paul’s prime concern was not that they were deserting him as an individual, but that they were deserting the apostolic teaching and lifestyle that had been ordained by the Lord Jesus himself. They wanted the easy life. They were happy to do little in spite of what the Lord Jesus himself had taught,
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
What Paul foresaw would happening in his day,
“For 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
This is just as true today. Modern Church leaders are deserting Paul and apostolic teaching in their droves. They may deny this but look at what they teach. Are people being warned about the coming judgement of our godlessness? Are people warned that they will live for eternity in either heaven or hell? Are people being told that there is only one person who can save them – Jesus Christ? Is it clearly explained that only the true followers of Jesus Christ will be saved?
A selection board of the Church of England was interviewing people to decide their suitability for appointment as Lay Readers. The twelve candidates were each asked,
“Do you think Jesus is the best way to God or the only way to God?”
Each candidate replied that they thought Jesus to be the best way. Clearly they thought there might be other routes to God in spite of what the Bible teaches.
In many ways modern churches are also abandoning Paul.
Be faithful by following Paul’s Example
The world Paul lived in was losing its way and God’s church, which was meant to be a light for that world, was also getting lost. So Paul informs Timothy of what needs to be done by reminding him of the apostolic example he had set.
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” 2 Timothy 3:10-12
This list could be summarised under two headings,
Paul’s teaching
Paul’s way of life
Paul’s Teaching
Paul’s teaching was the same as that of Jesus and the other apostles. Like Jesus he emphasised the reality of the Kingdom of God and admission to it through repentance and faith in Jesus himself. This would result in a radically different lifestyle which focused on pleasing the Lord. This ‘gospel truth’ was built on and completed the teaching of the Old Testament. The Old and the New Covenants are consistent – their messages are very similar. Some people have thought that in Old Testament times people were saved by behaving well both religiously and socially areas – a works religion. In contrast it is felt that in the New Testament people are saved by faith in Jesus – a faith religion. However this is wrong. The whole Bible teaches the same gospel – the good news that selfish sinful people who turn to God asking for his mercy can receive it. He lovingly provides the remedy for their sin or rebellion. Man has always been saved by accepting the relationship God freely offers. They do this by turning to him in repentance. As a response God’s people then live for the God who has saved them. In the Old Testament this remedy for sin was the sacrifice of an animal. Clearly the death of an animal could not actually atone for peoples’ sin, it was a picture looking forwards to the great sacrifice that God himself was to provide, the sacrifice of his Son on the cross. It is no coincidence that John the Baptist introduced Jesus by saying,
“Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
Paul longed that everyone should understand the Bible’s message. His life’s business was therefore to teach the Word of God. He didn’t just teach it verbally however – he also lived it.
Paul’s Way of Life
Timothy is asked to remember how Paul’s own life had been purpose driven. Paul was determined that his life should be one that Jesus approved of. Like his master he also was passionate that people should understand and respond to the gospel. Timothy clearly knew of this determination. He knew that Paul was no hypocrite. Paul’s activities when he was previously under house arrest in Rome would be well known. Paul made sure that even his Roman guards understood the gospel. He had invited local Jewish leaders to meet him in his house and made sure that they understood the great news of salvation. Luke tells us how straight Paul was with these Jewish leaders.
“They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.” Acts 28:23-25
Knowing the Bible to be the very words of God (Romans 3:2), Paul’s preferred method of persuading others was to explain the Bible’s message. Clearly Paul was committed to living with heaven in view.
George Whitefield, a seventeenth century preacher who made a great impact on English and American society, used to pray,
“Oh that I might work for eternity, pray for eternity, and preach for eternity. I want only God.”
Inevitably such a committed life will inevitably provoke opposition and persecution. Paul reminds Timothy that this will be the result but still feels the investment is well worth making,
“In fact everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12
Jesus himself taught this.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. that is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:18-20
Why do many Christians not face persecution today? There are two possibilities,
1. They are not involved in the world, but live separate lives away from the world in their Christian ghettos.
2. They are so involved with the world that they have compromised and look little different.
Christians need to be in the world but certainly not like it! The problem is that evil, self-serving, money grabbing hypocrites do enter the church. Paul urges Timothy, as he urges us, not to be seduced by the world, not to have an outward religiosity, a form of godliness (3:5) that is weak and insipid, but to be faithful Christians, following his example.
Be faithful by basing your life on Scripture
Paul reminds Timothy that the basis of his teaching should also be to expound Scripture.
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
How we need to relearn this lesson today and ensure that Christian people know the Scriptures and pass on its message. Some may not like the message that they need God’s forgiveness and that it is only in Christ that forgiveness must be found. Christian leaders must make it their life’s work to read learn and meditate on God’s word so they can teach it effectively. John Stott wrote,
“Do we hope, either in our lives or in our teaching ministry, to overcome error and grow in truth, to overcome evil and grow in holiness, then it is to Scripture we must primarily turn, for Scripture is profitable for these things.”
This is so important. Scripture really is central to the Christian life. we all need to know it, study it, meditate on it, learn it and include it in our conversations. We must be careful never to divorce knowledge from what we do - God hates hypocrisy.
Be faithful in heading Christ’s Charge
Paul now gives an awesome challenge to Timothy, which begins with the words,
“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, I give you this charge . . .” 2 Timothy 4:1
This command comes from God. What an important reminder this is. Our lives must reflect the fact that God is present with us all the time. It is a shallow person who lives largely to impress others in our society or even church. It is the Lord’s opinion of us that matters. God knows what our real motives are. He knows our prayer life, he knows if we have a passion to glorify Jesus. God cannot be fooled.
So, in the presence of the Lord who will be our judge, who will be returning to earth, Paul hands on the charge that he himself had been given,
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season . . .” 2 Timothy 4:2
The Greek word used here can also be translated ‘proclaim’. So this injunction is not restricted to giving sermons in church - proclamation can also mean one to one discussions or sharing in a home group. It includes any means where the gospel is taught. People must somehow hear the message of forgiveness through Christ and they must repent.
The New English Bible (NEB) translation of this passage is very clear,
“Proclaim the message, press it home on all occasions, convenient or inconvenient.”
This is urgent business. Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones was a medical doctor before he became one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century. One day he was due to preach in a church but was running late. The police flagged him down for speeding. He stopped but when the policeman approached he hurriedly declared,
“I am Dr Lloyd Jones. You mustn’t stop me. I’m in a hurry. It’s a matter of life and death!”
This message matters so much – an apparently good life is not good enough for God; people must be informed that there is no person in the world, other than Jesus, who can save us. We must convince them in the best way we can.
The NEB goes on,
“ . . . use argument, reproof and appeal, with all the patience that the work of teaching requires.”
All good teachers know that there are several ways to get the message across and what Paul is saying here is that we should use any of these three approaches as applicable. Use intellectual argument to help those with real doubts. Use reproof when it appears that moral problems are a hindrance. God willingly tweaks people’s consciences to draw them to himself as guilt is something he wants to help us with. Appeal to the emotions is just as valid. People do long for peace, security and purpose and the Lord Jesus does meet these needs. The use of all three together, argument, reproof and appeal is what Jesus did.
Paul gives three reasons why Christians must obey Christ in this. We have already seen in verse one that the greatest incentive should be the return of Jesus to be our judge. It is His eternal kingdom that really matters. Secondly, there are the needs of the church that should be taken into consideration.
“For 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5
There was a great need for good leaders who would teach the Bible, God’s word, faithfully. The desertion of some leaders from Paul and apostolic teaching was serious. There were many Demas’ around.
“Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.” 2 Timothy 4:10
The third argument is one that Paul has used before – the example of his own life. He is saying that his life on earth is nearly finished and the baton must be passed on to others who will continue the apostolic task. He affirms that he has lived as Christ wants and that he has nothing to fear at the coming judgement. He knows that the Lord Jesus himself will give him a crown, a crown of righteousness.
There can be no doubt why this letter was written. Paul is saying to Timothy and through him to us,
Don’t be timid about living for Jesus Christ
Live with Christ’s priorities
Be Godly by passing on my teaching and following my example.
George Whitfield, the eighteenth century English church leader once asked Thomas Betterton, the famous actor the following question,
“Why is it that the clergy speak of real things and affect people so little, and the actors, who speak of imaginary things, affect them so much?’
“My Lord, I can but assign one reason. We actors speak of things imaginary as though they are real, and too many of the clergy think of things real as though they are imaginary.”
So many evangelical churches retreat into becoming evangelical ghettos. Our only friends are church people. The passion to meet others so that we can share the gospel with the lost has so often atrophied. A patient came to see me who was churchwarden of her local village church. After the medical consultation I asked her how the church was going.
“It is not easy,” she replied, “We are getting older and fewer come now.”
“Please tell me, do people in the church talk about the Lord Jesus with others in the village?” I queried.
“Oh, good gracious no, we don’t even talk about him amongst ourselves.”
“If that is so then the church must die.” I couldn’t think of anything more helpful to say.
These Scriptures urge us to share the gospel with others. We must learn again to be hospitable (see 1 Timothy 3:12). Let us invite neighbours, work colleagues and family to our homes for meals or enjoy other activities together. Then it is much easier to say,
“Would you like to come with me to . . .” or
“Have you read this . . ?”
We are facing a desperate crisis in our churches. We were not called to believe in Jesus just in order to believe in him. We were called to be the light of the world just as Jesus is the light of the world. People need to know the message of salvation. Paul wrote about what drove him to get the message out -
“Christ’s love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Charlie Peace was being taken from his prison cell to his public execution by hanging on 4th July 1854. Crowds assembled to witness his death as he had been one of London’s most notorious criminals. As was the tradition, an Anglican clergyman accompanied him on his final journey. The clergyman read to him from the Prayer Book.
“Those who die without Christ experience hell, which is the pain of forever dying without the release which death itself can bring.”
When Charlie heard these horrific words, he turned round and shouted in the clergyman’s face,
“Do you believe that? Do you really believe that?”
His surprised victim stuttered and stammered,
“Well, I, I, I . . . suppose I do.”
“Well I don’t!” said Charlie, “but if I did, I would get down on my hands and knees and crawl all over Britain, even if it were paved with pieces of broken glass if I could rescue one person from what you have just told me.”
Be faithful for there is a great reward ahead
Jesus remained faithful for us, he has given all Christians his motivating and powerful Spirit. Paul remained faithful and was not seduced by the world, although tempted to be so.. Paul had fought the good fight, he had finished the race and he looked forward to the crown of righteousness that the Lord would award him. However, please note the last phrase of this paragraph,
“. . . and not to me only, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the words of verses 4:7-8 said about us as we reach the end of our lives. These were the last words I said to my mother, just before she died, except I changed the ‘I’ and ‘me’ to ‘You’.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Christian belief is nothing less than a love the Lord Jesus and to a commitment to follow what he teaches in his word, for all our life. May I ask you,
‘Have you made that commitment? Are you a true Christian?”
Was Paul successful? From the world’s perspective he had a wretched end but he has a glorious future. How did Timothy respond? Tradition has it that Timothy stayed on in Ephesus as its pastor. However in 97AD there was a public celebration, or orgy, in honour of the god Dionysius. Timothy went out and rebuked the crowd for their immoral frenzy.. The mob was enraged and attacked Timothy with clubs and stones until he died. Was Timothy successful in God’s eyes?
There is another later letter in the New Testament about the church at Ephesus. Doctrinally they remained true to Scripture, but in every day life they had deserted the Lord Jesus;
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come and remove your lamp stand from its place.” Revelation 2:4
Surely this message is for us. If we, in our western churches do not change direction and return to teaching and living by Scripture, as demonstrated by Jesus and Paul, then our churches will also die.
When Paul concludes this letter he makes it clear that though he had written to Timothy, he did intend that it should be read by a wider audience. He wrote,
“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” 2 Timothy 4:22
The ‘your spirit’ is in the singular in the original Greek and is a personal encouragement for Timothy. The ‘grace be with you’ is in the plural. This letter is for all Christians.
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