II Timothy

By Joyce Webb 2024

Chapter 2       Verse 1-14

Vs. 1 Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Vs. 2 The things that you have heard from me, or by witnesses who have heard me, —now you teach them to men, who will be faithful to follow them.

Men who will be able to teach others.

Vs. 3 You will have to endure (go through) hard things, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Vs. 4 No man who wars (no soldier fighting a war) lets his attention get on other things in this life. He keeps his attention on his fighting.
He wants to please the person who chose him to be a soldier to fight.

Vs. 5 A man tries to be the best (a master at what he does).
He does this to win a prize or crown.
He does this following the rules.

Vs. 6 A farmer– or one who grows grapes—-works hard and he is the first one to eat the fruit of his labor.

Vs. 7 Think about these things. May the Lord give you understanding about what I say.

Vs. 8 Jesus Christ —the seed (of the family) of David.
He was raised from the dead.

Vs. 9 Because I have preached this—I suffer in bonds (chains, prison)—like someone who did evil.

I may be in bonds (chains), but the word of God is not bound.

Vs. 10 I can endure (go through) all things for the sake of those chosen to be believers.

So that they may have salvation which is in Christ Jesus and have eternal life.

Vs. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we die with Him, we shall also live with Him.

Vs. 12 If we suffer for Him, we will also reign (rule) with Him.
If we deny (say we don’t know Him)—-he will deny us.

Vs. 13  If we do not believe, He will still be faithful.
He cannot deny himself.

(This verse has been interpreted different ways—by various Bible teachers.

Here are my thoughts—-as believers—sometimes we have not always been faithful in all our living and actions or thoughts.

Not that we have given up Jesus. Not that we have turned our backs on Jesus and the gospel.

But that we have failed to do as we know we should have.

God is still faithful. The Holy Spirit continues to speak to us to help us move away from our failure.

He continues to encourage us to ask for forgiveness.

He continues to get us “back on track”.

Sometimes in our failures we blame ourselves so much —-we think we should give up.

The Holy Spirit continues to speak to us—-to bring us right again.
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For Paul to say —-God cannot deny himself—in this setting of what he is talking about —makes it hard to understand what he means.

God will not deny himself—–this is true. God can only be what he is. God can not lie or change what he is.

Personally, I have a hard time following what Paul means by saying “God cannot deny himself.” — in this context–of what he talking about.)

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Vs. 14 Paul tells Timothy, Remember these things. Tell others about them.

Do not talk about things that have no value or profit—–empty words that confuse people.

Do not use empty words or arguments—that do not make their faith stronger.