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2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ
Jesus.
2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses,
the same commit thou to
faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also.
2:3 Thou therefore endure
hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this
life; that he may please him who hath
chosen him to be a soldier.
2:5 And if a man also strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned,
except he strive lawfully.
2:6 The husbandman that
laboureth must be first partaker of the
fruits.
2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee
understanding in all
things.
2:8 Remember that
Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from
the dead according to my gospel: 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an
evil doer, even unto
bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they
may also obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal
glory.
2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall
also live with him: 2:12 If we
suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2:13 If we believe not, yet he
abideth faithful: he cannot
deny himself.
2:14 Of these things put them in
remembrance, charging them before the
Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the
subverting of the hearers.
2:15 Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2:16 But shun
profane and vain
babblings: for they will increase unto
more ungodliness.
2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus
and Philetus; 2:18 Who
concerning the truth have erred, saying that
the resurrection is past already; and
overthrow the faith of some.
2:19 Nevertheless the
foundation of God standeth sure, having this
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that
nameth the name of Christ depart from
iniquity.
2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of
silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to
honour, and some to
dishonour.
2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel
unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared
unto every good work.
2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow
righteousness,
faith,
charity,
peace, with them that call on the
Lord out of a pure heart.
2:23 But foolish and unlearned
questions avoid, knowing that they do
gender strifes.
2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto
all men, apt to
teach,
patient, 2:25 In meekness instructing those
that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance
to the acknowledging of the truth; 2:26 And that they may recover
themselves out of the snare of the
devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
2 Timothy
Book: 2 Timothy
Chapter: 2
Overview:
The
Apostle exhorts
Timothy to persevere with diligence, like
a soldier, a combatant, and a
Husbandman.
(1-7) Encouraging him
By assurances of a happy
End of his faithfulness.
(8-13)
Warnings to shun vain babblings and dangerous errors.
(14-21)
Charges to flee youthful lusts, and to
Minister with zeal
against error, but with
Meekness of
Spirit.
(22-26)
1-7 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.
8-13 Let suffering saints remember, and look to
Jesus, the
Author and Finisher of their
Faith, who for the joy that was set
before him, endured the
Cross, despised the shame, and is now
set down at the right
Hand of the
Throne of
God. We must not
think it strange if the best men meet with the worst treatment;
but this is cheering, that the
Word of God is not bound. Here we
see the real and true cause of the
Apostle's suffering trouble
in, or for, the sake of the
Gospel. If we are dead to this
world, its pleasures, profits, and honours, we shall be for ever
with
Christ in a better world. He is
Faithful to his
threatenings, and
Faithful to his promises. This
Truth makes
sure the unbeliever's condemnation, and the believer's
Salvation.
14-21 Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters
of small moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of
God.
The
Apostle mentions some who erred. They did not deny the
resurrection, but they corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing
can be
So foolish or erroneous, but it will overturn the
temporary
Faith of some professors. This foundation has two
writings
On it. One speaks our comfort. None can overthrow the
Faith of any whom
God hath
Chosen. The other speaks our duty.
Those who would have the comfort of the privilege, must make
Conscience of the duty
Christ gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, Tit 2:14. The
Church of
Christ is
like a dwelling: some furniture is of great value; some of
smaller value, and
Put to meaner uses. Some professors of
religion are like vessels of
Wood and
Earth. When the vessels of
dishonour are cast out to be destroyed, the others will be
filled with all the
Fulness of
God. We must see to it that we
are holy vessels. Every one in the
Church whom
God approves,
will be devoted to his Master's service, and thus fitted for his
use.
22-26 The more we follow that which is good, the faster and the
further we shall flee from that which is evil. The keeping up
the
Communion of saints, will take us from
Fellowship with
unfruitful
Works of
Darkness. See how often the
Apostle cautions
against disputes in religion; which surely shows that religion
consists more in believing and practising what
God requires,
than in subtle disputes. Those are unapt to teach, who are apt
to strive, and are fierce and froward. Teaching, not
Persecution, is the
Scripture method of dealing with those in
error. The same
God who gives the discovery of the
Truth,
By his
Grace brings us to acknowledge it, otherwise our hearts would
continue to rebel against it. There is
No "peradventure," in
respect of
God's pardoning those who do repent; but we cannot
tell that he will give
Repentance to those who oppose his will.
Sinners are taken in a
Snare, and in the worst
Snare, because it
is the
Devil's; they are slaves to him. And if any long for
deliverance, let them remember they never can escape, except
By
Repentance, which is the
Gift of
God; and we must ask it of him
By Earnest, persevering
Prayer.