2 Timothy 2:1–26 (NKJV)
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Paul compares the Gospel ministry to warfare. There are persecutions and the false brethren’s attempt to undo the Gospel. But ultimately, Paul, Timothy, and all ministers do not wrestle against flesh and blood but spiritual enemies. The Gospel ministry is also like an athletic contest. It is a race that must be run according to certain rules. The Gospel minister is like a farmer who sows the seed of the word, waters it, and prays to God who alone gives growth. Warfare, running a race, and farming all take endurance.
The strength to endure hardship comes from the Gospel Timothy preaches, “that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead.” Believers share in Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. “If we died with Him”—that is, in Baptism, so that we then daily put to death our sinful nature—“We shall also live with Him.” “If we endure” hardship and suffering for His sake, “we shall also reign with Him.” Paul’s Gospel strengthened him to endure all things for the sake of the elect. Paul’s Gospel would strengthen Timothy with the same endurance.
Timothy will endure in this Gospel by shunning unprofitable words—profane and idle babblings that take attention away from God—and instead rightly dividing God’s Word. God’s Word is divided into Law and Gospel. The Law condemns sin in thought, word, and deed so that the hearer repents. The Gospel forgives sin and creates a new heart in the penitent. Using God’s Word, rightly divided, cleanses from the dishonor of sin and makes believers vessels of honor in God’s house, prepared for every good work. God wants all Christians to endure hardships, suffering, and temptations. By meditating on God’s Word, rightly divided, God cleanses us of our sins. By faith, the resurrected Christ dwells in us to be victorious over temptation, death, and the power of the devil and prepares us for every good work.
Let us pray: Strengthen us by Your Word, rightly divided, so that we may endure hardship as good soldiers today. Amen.
