Tyler Montgomery
Throughout the second epistle of Timothy, we perceive Timothy’s struggles. In 2nd Timothy 1:3-12, Paul reminds Timothy of the faith he inherited, and that he is not alone in his struggles.
2nd Timothy 1:12 states, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.” In what ways was Timothy struggling? What issues was he dealing with? What advice did Paul give Timothy to overcome these issues? For us to begin answering these questions, let us start at 1st Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Using this passage as an example, we can see all three of the things listed above. How Timothy was struggling, his issues, and Paul’s advice. We can see how there could have been those who were calling out Timothy for his youth, stereotyping him with the younger crowd. Possibly not even acknowledging his maturity even though Paul had decided to leave him there in Ephesus (1st Timothy 1:3). In this verse Paul tells Timothy to be an example, and in telling him how to be such he says, “be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” But if we continue to read in this chapter, we see Paul telling Timothy to meditate on these things and to not neglect the gift that God has given him. In other words: keep working. But in 1st Timothy 4:16 he says, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” This is Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. He reminded him to keep a good spirit, that his work is not in vain, and (as we previously spoke about) to not let any despise his youth. Moving on to 2nd Timothy, let us start in chapter 1. All through the chapter we are given encouragement to Timothy from Paul. We can see from verse 5 “when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” Here we see Paul reminding Timothy of his grandmother’s and mother’s teachings. Timothy must have been close to both of them in order for him to have, as it says, “inherited” their faith. Now, why was Paul reminding Timothy of his family? Well, if we step back and go into verse 4 it says, “greatly desiring to see you, being reminded of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you.” Perhaps here Timothy could have been experiencing grief and Paul is reminding him that their image lives on through his faith. So once again, Timothy’s struggles, Timothy’s problems, Paul’s advice. Paul’s advice continues through the chapter, saying, “Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2nd Timothy 1:6). Once again, Paul is reminding him to continue in his work, to continue to use his gift, reinforcing his point in verse 7, writing, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” As I said, throughout the first chapter of 2nd Timothy, there are a series of exhortations from Paul to Timothy. He constantly telling him to “not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (the Gospel), and reinforcing the point that he is not alone. In verse 13 he states, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” In other words, keep moving and hold strong to his faith. This passage, in a way, is repeated in 2nd Timothy 2:10-13 which states “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. This is a faithful saying: for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” “I endure all things for the sake of the elect.” What does this mean? Why was Paul needing to remind Timothy of HIS enduring? Let us look back to chapter 2, starting in verse 3, where we read Paul telling Timothy to endure. With many types of symbolism, he begins with that of a soldier in verse four, then an athlete in verse five, ending with a farmer in verse six. The reasons behind all these examples begin at verse 7: “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel (teachings), for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.” Possibly, Timothy was not only struggling with loss and the stereotyping of his age, but also his faith. Perhaps Paul was using these words to tell the young Timothy to press on and not stop moving or working. Even though he was struggling, if he stopped, his faith, too, would stop with him. Once again, we see that 1st Timothy 1:3 is echoed in 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In verses 15 through 19, the warning we see Paul giving Timothy is rather heartbreaking. We see two people who “have strayed concerning the truth” named Hymenaeus and Philetus (2nd Timothy 2:17-18). Evan more saddening is what verse 16 reveals about these two men, saying, “But shun profane and idle babbling, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer.” We are given the thought that, not only have Hymenaeus and Philetus strayed from the faith, but they had begun to spread false doctrine, and drag others with them. Now if we connect all this together, we see Paul reminding Timothy to “stir up his gift,” to “hold fast to the pattern of sound doctrine,” and to “endure all things for the sake of the elect” contrary to what Hymenaeus and Philetus had done with their faith. Paul writes these to encourage Timothy, as he is a “son in the faith” (2nd Timothy 1:2). Paul’s love for Timothy would be nothing less than what he has shown us through his inspired writings. Let these phrases call out to you when you read 2nd Timothy, for I have no doubt that they called out to Timothy himself when he read this letter from his father, from his mentor, and ultimately, from his friend. I hope these words help in any way in your studies as you read through 2nd Timothy, and remember to stay diligent and to hold fast to sound doctrine. Let us all endure for the sake of the elect, today and always, amen.