2 Timothy 2:1

2Ti 2:1-26. Exhortations; to Faithfulness as a Good Soldier of Christ; Errors to Be Shunned; the Lord's Sure Foundation; the Right Spirit for a Servant of Christ. 1. Thou therefore--following my example (2Ti 1:8, 12), and that of Onesiphorus (2Ti 1:16-18), and shunning that of those who forsook me (2Ti 1:15). my son--Children ought to imitate their father. be strong--literally, "be invested with power." Have power, and show thyself to have it; implying an abiding state of power. in the grace--the element IN which the believer's strength has place. Compare 2Ti 1:7, "God hath given us the spirit of power."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

CHAPTER II.

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.

THIS chapter is made up of various exhortations and encouragements to duty. The apostle exhorts Timothy to be strong in the Christian graces, 2Ti 2:1; to commit the great trust which he had received to faithful men, 2Ti 2:2; to endure hardships like a good soldier, 2Ti 2:3-7, and refers him

(a.) to the case of one who goes to war, whose great business it is to please him in whose service he is 2Ti 2:4;

(b.) to the case of one who strives for a crown at the games, 2Ti 2:5; and

(c.) to the husbandman who looks onward for the reward of his labour, 2Ti 2:6. He then, in order to encourage to be patient in enduring the trials to which he would be exposed, refers him

(a.) to the certainty of the truth of that religion in whose cause he would suffer, 2Ti 2:8;

(b.) to his own case, reminding him how much he had endured in that cause, 2Ti 2:9,10;

(c.) to the fact that our sufferings here will be crowned with certain glory hereafter, 2Ti 2:11,12; and

(d.) to the assurance that the Lord Jesus will be faithful to all his promises to his people, 2Ti 2:13. These things the apostle then exhorts him to press upon the hearts of others, that they might not waste their time in unprofitable pursuits, but might engage in the same great and arduous struggle for securing the reward, 2Ti 2:14. He then exhorts Timothy to study to perform his duties in such a way that he Would not be ashamed, and to avoid the unimportant strifes which were then raging; and to enforce this, he refers to a real case with which Timothy was acquainted--that of Hymeneus and Philetus, who, by unprofitable speculations, had been led to deny a fundamental doctrine of religion, 2Ti 2:15-18. Yet, Paul says, he should not be discouraged because some had been led into dangerous errors. The foundation of God remained firm. Those that were truly his were known, and would not apostatize, 2Ti 2:19. In illustration of this, and to show that it was to be expected that all would not honour religion, the apostle refers to a house in which there were all sorts of vessels, some to honour and some to dishonour, and says that, if any one would endeavour to free himself from all that was base and impure, he would be a vessel meet for the use of the Master, 2Ti 2:20,21. To accomplish this, he gives Timothy various directions respecting his conduct. He was to flee from youthful lusts; he was to follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace; he was to avoid foolish questions; he was to be example of gentleness and meekness, and he was patiently to instruct those that were of a different character, 2Ti 2:22-26.

Verse 1. Thou therefore. In view of the fact stated in the previous chapter, that many had turned away from the apostle, and had forsaken the paths of truth.

Be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. Comp. Eph 6:10. The meaning is, Be strong, relying on the grace which the Lord Jesus only can impart.

(a) "be strong" Josh 1:7, Eph 6:10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Introduction

He exhorts Timothy to constancy, fidelity, and courage; and to acquit himself as a true soldier of Jesus Christ; and patiently expect the fruit of his labors, 2Tim 2:1-7. What the apostle's doctrine was relative to Christ, 2Tim 2:8. He mentions his own sufferings and consolations, 2Tim 2:9-13. What Timothy is to preach, how he is to acquit himself, and what he is to shun, 2Tim 2:14-16. Of Hymeneus and Philetus, and their errors, 2Tim 2:17, 2Tim 2:18. Of the foundation of God, and its security, 2Tim 2:19. The simile of a great house and its utensils, 2Tim 2:20, 2Tim 2:21. Timothy is to avoid youthful lusts, and foolish and unlearned questions, 2Tim 2:22, 2Tim 2:23. How he is to act in reference to false teachers, 2Tim 2:24-26. Verse 1 Be strong in the grace - Though the genuine import of the word grace is favor, yet it often implies an active principle communicated from God; light directing how to act, and power enabling to act according to the light.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians, but especially ministers, must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in his cause. The great care of a Christian must be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lusts and corruptions, but we cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws. We must take care that we do good in a right manner, that our good may not be spoken evil of. Some who are active, spend their zeal about outward forms and doubtful disputations. But those who strive lawfully shall be crowned at last. If we would partake the fruits, we must labour; if we would gain the prize, we must run the race. We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience. Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things, we must exhort and stir them up to consider what they hear or read.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain