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.
Vs. 14 The Apostle Paul having given a doctrinal decree through a hymn in 2 Tim 2:11-13 now exhorts Timothy on a Pastoral level, commanding him to: “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.”
That is to remind them of all that he previously exhorted, ..."that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead according to my gospel". 2 Tim. 2:8 For again here it seems as in 1 Tim. 6:3-5 there were those amongst the believers there with Timothy who were given over to strife and debates, and thus who were striving over words to the profit of no one, to the ruin of the hearers as the Apostle Paul states it. For then as now there are always those who do so, who reject wholesome words, even Christ’s Words, and thus the sound doctrine which always accords with Godliness. For these types love and live for worthless doctrinal debates and controversies through which they only introduce all kinds of misleading ideas and even heresies amongst those who believe. And thus they are people who only sow seeds of discord and doubt into the hearts of the hearers. Yet believers are never called to strive about words to the ruin of hearers among themselves (2 Tim. 3:9-11). Rather in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ we should all “… speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Col. 1:10
Diligence in sound living and sound doctrine are valiant pursuits; noble to anyone with good sense; while profane and idle talk only increases to more ungodliness. The connection between a sinful and destructive lifestyle and what one gives one's mouth over to is Scripturally verifiable (James 3:1-12). Therefore we are to “shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
Vs. 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.”
Now there are two immutable things which the Apostle Paul attests to in verse nineteen. First is that the Lord knows those who are His. Thus there is no ambiguity with God as to those who are Christ's and those who are not. For He knows us all who believe in Jesus even more intimately than we or anyone else knows us. And so we can have great confidence in not only knowing the Lord Jesus Christ ourselves, but also in His knowing us, for His Spirit indwells us. And so only those who believe in (and obey) the Lord Jesus Christ are known by Him (Rom. 8:16-17; 1 John 2:3-4).
For just as there is no ambiguity with God knowing us who are known by His Son. Neither should there be any ambiguity as to how we are to live. Therefore in contrast to the unrighteous and faithless lives that those dissenters live, the Apostle Paul now commands that everyone who names the Name of Christ depart from iniquity. Therefore as believers in and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are all to depart from iniquity. And instead be led by the Spirit of God rather than the old nature's sinful passions and desires (Gal. 5:16-23). For as the Scripture says: “…those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal. 4:24-25 Therefore everyone who calls Jesus Christ Lord must depart from iniquity. Not justify it under the guise of living by "grace", rather we are all to depart from it.
Now there are two immutable things which the Apostle Paul attests to in verse nineteen. First is that the Lord knows those who are His. Thus there is no ambiguity with God as to those who are Christ's and those who are not. For He knows us all who believe in Jesus even more intimately than we or anyone else knows us. And so we can have great confidence in not only knowing the Lord Jesus Christ ourselves, but also in His knowing us, for His Spirit indwells us. And so only those who believe in (and obey) the Lord Jesus Christ are known by Him (Rom. 8:16-17; 1 John 2:3-4).
For just as there is no ambiguity with God knowing us who are known by His Son. Neither should there be any ambiguity as to how we are to live. Therefore in contrast to the unrighteous and faithless lives that those dissenters live, the Apostle Paul now commands that everyone who names the Name of Christ depart from iniquity. Therefore as believers in and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are all to depart from iniquity. And instead be led by the Spirit of God rather than the old nature's sinful passions and desires (Gal. 5:16-23). For as the Scripture says: “…those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal. 4:24-25 Therefore everyone who calls Jesus Christ Lord must depart from iniquity. Not justify it under the guise of living by "grace", rather we are all to depart from it.
Vs.
20-21 “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.”
The Apostle’s analogy here of a great house with vessels of gold and silver, wood and clay indicates the variety of believers and people and their lifestyles that are in the church. Yet if anyone cleanses themselves from the latter (that is their sins) they will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master prepared for every good work. For it’s not what you once were that qualifies or disqualifies you for Christ's service. It’s what you now are, and cleanse or don't cleanse yourself from as a follower of Jesus Christ that qualifies or disqualifies you. For we all will determine for ourselves how much we experience the fullness of the life of Christ that God wants us all to have. Now that’s hopeful, knowing that whatever we once were in past does not dictate what and who we will be in the future. For God is writing a story of redemption in which He is inviting us all to enter into it with Him. By first receiving what He has done for our redemption from sin and death through His Son Jesus Christ's crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead by which atonement for our sins and transgressions was made, so that He can now bring us to life and equip and empower us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be His disciples. Therefore the Apostle Paul is encouraging us all to live up to the potential God has placed in us all who believe in Jesus. So that by His Spirit's enabling we all actively cleanse ourselves from all things sinful and dishonourable so that we all might be “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
Vs. 22 “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
The Apostle Paul now gives an exhortation to Timothy (and every youth) to flee youthful lusts as being in accord with the general command for us all to depart from our iniquities (vs. 19). For there are many pitfalls and dangers that surround all youth in every generation and culture, and sadly catch so many unaware. Yet youth can be a time of great expectancy and positive experience, of preparing oneself for one's lives future. However if left without positive and healthy direction it can break down into all kinds of experimentation with sex, alcohol, illicit drugs and every other kind of high risk behavior that always has negative consequences. Unfortunately our culture so inundates youth with inducements to these sorts of things, one is hard pressed at times to find any positive messages (and messengers) for them to rise higher and achieve greater. Therefore the Apostle Paul warns the young Timothy to flee them and not be swept up in the growing tsunami of dissipation that sadly is our culture. But rather pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. For ultimately you either walk the narrow road of life that is true Christian discipleship, or you take the broad path of the world that only leads to eternal destruction (Matt 7:13-14 also consider 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Peter 4:1-6). Having then commanded to flee from youthful lusts that only lead to ones ruin, the Apostle Paul gives four excellent pursuits that will lead to a peaceful, fruitful and joy filled life “…righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Notice these are not just individual activities, these are things which like minded believers support and encourage each other in. For that is what church youth groups, and all church gatherings and groups are to do, encourage, strengthen and support each other in their faith and lives, which are essentially the same. Now looking at these four individually they are:
1) Righteousness This is given first since it is foundational to living well as a follower of Jesus Christ. Now if you have any doubts as to what living righteously looks like just look to the Scriptures, especially the Book of Proverbs to see God's unchanging moral and ethical decrees laid forth in such a way as to give real insights into real life living, and thus with real life consequences. Now God's righteousness is to be sought by first trusting the Lord Jesus Christ for a righteousness standing before Him, then by seeking to obey Him through His and His Biblical Apostles commandments. For every situation that one may encounter in this life and how we are to behave righteously in it can be understood by conscientiously applying these to them. For whatever else one may need in this life, can be found by first pursuing Kingdom Righteousness as Jesus said: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matt. 6:33
Above all else then we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (not our cultures fleeting ideas of what this is) and everything else that we need in this life will be provided for us.
2) Faith like righteousness is also something that is to be pursued, for it is the catalyst by which everything from God flows. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6
Therefore beginning with salvation and everything else we will need in this life in being Jesus Christ's disciple we must both seek Him and believe Him (Matt. 7:7-11; Mark 11:22-24; James 1:5-8). For pursuing faith means believing God and His Word and seeking to set one's life in accordance with it, with His Will and with His purposes for you. (Please read Hebrews 11 for inspiration and insights on how Godly people in faith moved purposefully towards and forward with God).
3) Love is what it is to be a Christian and is inseparably linked to faith. For God is love and so just as God is love so we are to be (John 13:35; 1 John 4:19; 5:1-5). Maybe that is why love is the the first fruit of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22-23) because every other virtue is meaningless without love. For without love all you'll end up with is "dead religion" and thus a loveless, callous, and cold heart (something the Pharisees clearly exemplified in the N.T.). Therefore love is not only commanded of us all who believe in Jesus Christ. Love is the true test of someone who is Christ's, and who is not (1 John 4:20-21). Therefore in pursuing the Kingdom of God and His righteousness we must always remember love, for without it we accomplish nothing of eternal significance or value (1 Cor 13).
4) Peace comes to us all who believe in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27; Gal 5:22-23). Yet peace is also the fruit of righteousness, faith, and love being lived out in our lives (Isaiah 32:17-18; Eph. 5:9). Now peace with God comes to us first as a result of God's Righteous work through the crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore when anyone believes in Jesus Christ, trusting His crucifixion death to save them from their sins and transgressions they will have peace with God (Eph 1:13-14). And so when one receives peace with God through the blood of Christ's cross (Col. 1:20) we are to become His ambassadors of peace with God through the same. Therefore being at peace with God means as much as depends on us living peaceably with others (Heb. 12:14-15), especially in light of the coming day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:14). For that is why Jesus came to first bring God's peace, as the Prince of Peace, to all those who are troubled in heart and mind, and thus to bring rest to our souls (Matt. 11:28-30). And so having received peace with God through Jesus Christ we are to live out that inner peace, by ourselves becoming peacemakers for God (Matt 5:9). For truly the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:18). Therefore peace is what all believers are called to, which stands juxtaposed to conflict and strife. For pursuing peace is essential in being an ambassador for and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ's, offering peace to all, again through the blood of Jesus Christ's cross. And even more so in the church community where the pursuit of peace with one and all must take center stage. Since we are all commanded to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). Thus you have the ministry of reconciliation or peace that looks outward to proclaim God's peace to all, and on all, who believe in Him through the crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Equally though you also have the pursuit of peace that must take place within the household of faith. For without peace there, on the home front it, is not likely it will be manifest through us anywhere else (consider Matt 5:21-26; 18:15-35). Believers then must strive to be at peace with each other, (and all) for God's promise of peace is on all those who live by it (2 Cor. 13:11).
Vs. 23 The Apostle Paul having commanded that we flee youthful lusts and instead pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. So that we may reap the many positive ripple effects of peace in our own lives, relationships, Christian churches and beyond if we faithfully heed him and follow them. And so to forward that end of Christian unity and peace with one and all the Apostle Paul will begin here by again admonishing Timothy by saying, "But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” And so what Paul is warning against here is getting entangled in disputes (with those are given to disputes) over doubtful and many uncertain matters, and so anything that is not clearly revealed to us in the Scriptures (consider Heb 13:8-9). For all such things do not edify anyone, nor do they build people's faith. Instead they only fuel doubts in the hearers and or generate strife. A believer then does himself or herself, nor anyone else, any good by entering into these. For as the Apostle says they only generate strife, and thus serve Satan’s purposes not God’s. Similarly there is no point in being contentious over non-essential matters, where liberty of conscience is "the law" we are to obey, for all those who do so are not walking in love (consider Rom 14). For each and every believer is given by the Lord a liberty of conscience to decide for themselves, and thus hold their own views and opinions on every non-essential matter. For that is apart of the glorious liberty of the children of God, not just deliverance from sin (Rom 8:21) but also liberty of conscience (2 Cor. 3:17). Therefore we are to allow our brethren to have and hold their own convictions on everything from art, music, politics, Bible translations, just war or not just war ideologies, and anything else that does not call either the Author of salvation, or the means of our salvation into question, nor His commands that we are all commanded to obey. As the Scripture says: "Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." Rom 14:4
Three things are stated in verse twenty four which will make a disciple and effective worker for the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us consider them individually:
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel.” Since we as believers are called to pursue peace with all people and holiness (Heb. 12:14). Therefore "contending earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3) or “casting down arguments and every high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5) when called for, must be done without quarreling. For quarreling has never changed the mind of anyone, and only undermines one's own witness, especially with those we hope to win for Christ. And so that's our responsibility as servants of the Lord, not to quarrel with anyone, especially with those who have no heart for, or desire to hear, the truth (Matt. 7:6). As God’s Word say’s, “It is honorable to for a man to stop striving since any fool can start a quarrel.” Prov 20:3 Therefore a little discernment and self restraint goes a long way in silencing those who openly and vehemently oppose the faith. And so instead of fanning the flames of their fury by quarreling with them, simply turn away from them. For you'll never find someone who is searching for the truth arguing about the validity of Jesus Christ's Person, or His commandments, or God's Word etc. While the rebellious and unbelieving will always find cause with Him or them. That is why the Apostle Paul commands us in his epistle to Titus to: “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. Titus 3:10-11
“Gentle to all.” Gentleness is not only a fruit of the Spirit in every believer's life (Gal. 5:22-23), Gentleness is the essential Nature of Jesus Christ Himself, and is how He treats everyone who seeks Him and believes in Him (Matt. 11:28-30). And so this is how He wants us to to treat others as well, in a spirit of gentleness. Gentleness then is the manner of the Spiritually mature (2 Cor. 10:1; 1 Thess. 2:7) and is the disposition that we are to manifest towards all (Eph. 4:2; Phil. 4:5). For truly gentleness is a Godly pursuit for all believers to embrace (1 Tim. 6:11). And is to be the means by which we restore each and all who fall into sin (Gal. 6:1). For nothing reveals Christ’s Presence more than when believers are meek in their dispositions and gentle in their dealings with others (1 Peter 3:4). That said, the word the Apostle uses here, appears only here and in 1 Thess. 2:7 where he says of himself and his co-workers in the gospel: “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.” And so what a marvelous testimony that would be if individual believers and church assemblies in general made that their mandate, to be gentle in the dealings with all.
“Able to teach.” Though the Holy Spirit distributes the gift of teaching to whom He
desires (1 Cor. 12:11). And the Apostle Paul was writing to Timothy on a
Pastoral level. And the Scripture cautions against presumptuously assuming the role
of a teacher (James 3:1). A servant of the Lord (whether male or female) should know how to teach the
essentials of our faith (Heb. 5:12-14). That is one reason why Jesus Christ through
the Holy Spirit gave gifts to men and equips certain believers to be apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, “For the equipping of the saints
for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Eph 4:12 The saints then being each and every believer and so as we grow in our faith we should all develop a reasonable level of competency not only in sharing our faith, but also teaching the essentials of it as well. Since parents are required to instruct their own children in the faith, just as husbands are to instruct their wives. Now a good place for one to start if they don't know where is in Sunday school under the tutelage of a mature teacher. Now Godly teachers are not only reverent towards God, but also considerate towards those they hope to instruct.
“Patient.” If one is going to serve the Lord then one is going to have to be patient in waiting on the Lord as well as with their dealings with all. Now Patience is not only a fruit of the Spirit given to all believers (Gal. 5:22-23). But patience is representative of
God’s longsuffering desire that no one perish but that all come to repentance (Rom. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9, consider the Father in Jesus' prodigal son parable as a model of this). That said patience is a character attribute that we must at a
certain level acquire by our enduring various trials (James 1:2-4) and or various persecutions for the gospel of God (2 Thess. 1:4). For patience is a
prerequisite for both our spiritual fruitfulness and survival (Luke 8:15; 21:19; James
5:10-11). And so waiting on God, and learning to be patient with others is part and parcel of Christian discipleship. Now patience must not be confused with idleness. For we are exhorted not to become sluggish, but rather to imitate those who through
faith and patience inherit God's promises (Heb. 6:12). Patience then is the
manner of spirit every believer must embrace if they hope to be a successful
and fruitful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the patience of Jesus
when He faced provocation (Matt. 22:15-33), ridicule (Matt. 9:24), even painful
disappointment from His closest disciples (Mark 14:32-42). In this remember the
disciples dispute amongst themselves about who would be greatest (Luke
9:46-48). John and James extremism (Luke 9:51-56) and overt ambition (Mark
10:35-45). Peters frequent rashness (Matt. 17:1-9; 26:32-35). Or Thomas’
willingness to die with Jesus on one hand (John 11:16) then having seen Jesus
raise Lazarus from the dead needing proof of Jesus’ own resurrection (John
20:24-29). Yet in each and every instance Jesus was patient with every one of His
followers just as He is towards us all who believe in Him and yet we too stumble. Therefore during Jesus’ three and
half years with His disciples in preparing them for the mission ahead, He allowed them to be themselves, to make mistakes. Then He used all of their experiences together
(both good and bad) to impart great truths into their hearts and minds that would change
them, then countless of others forever. Patience then is a clear mark of Spiritual maturity and understanding.
Verse twenty-five and six presents
to us the perfect crowning jewel for all the previous attributes, and that is humility. "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." vs. 25-26
The point here is that when we as believers engage others through witnessing, or through open discussion, inquiry, or welcomed debate this is to be done in a spirit of gentleness/meekness/humility etc. So as not to harden people's hearts against the faith by coming across as smug, arrogant, or down right rude and disrespectful of their persons or beliefs. Consider if you will that the Apostle Paul encountered many different types of people, from all walks of life, as he traversed the Roman Empire preaching the gospel. Yet you'll not find him deprecating them or their beliefs in the N.T. in his evangelistic endeavours for Christ. Acts chapter seventeen (vs. 16-34) is a perfect example of the Apostle Paul's incredible skill and tact at being able to look at a tragic situation that was then Ancient Athen's with all of it's idols, to all of it's various "gods" etc. Yet even amidst that, Paul could tactfully introduce them to the One True God in the hope of God saving some of them. Therefore the Apostle Paul does not restrict believers from ever engaging non-believers through debate and discussions and such. In fact Christians who do not engage the culture they find themselves in do the gospel, and themselves a great disservice. Instead Paul wisely sets boundaries for us so that we know what Christ like evangelism is, and what it is not. Now the word-translated humility here is different than the word generally used in the N.T. to describe the inward attitude that each believer should have about themselves, i.e. "humility of mind" or "lowliness of mind" etc. (see Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3). Here the emphasis is on one's conduct towards others, which is to be a reflection of the grace of God. Now the the noun the Apostle Paul uses here means: gentleness, humility, considerateness, meekness. Its adjective is translated meek in Matt. 11:29 where Jesus describes Himself as meek and lowly in heart inviting all to take His yoke upon themselves. The point of such humility than is for the softening of the heart of those we engage, or engage us (1 Peter 3:15). The fruit of such engagement then is ultimately for their repentance and restoration to God, and thus their wholeness or well being. Engagement than that does not have that, at its heart, does not have the heart of God. Even when Jesus’ Person was repeatedly threatened He responded with a heart of compassion for His persecutors, asking for God's mercy and ultimately salvation upon them, not judgment (John 10:22-39). Not an easy attitude to hold and maintain when faced with provocation, but one that is fully worthy of our attention and pursuit.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
Additional stuff: In the NIV they translate "in humility correcting those in opposition" roughly as: "Opponents must be gently instructed" Now the word being translated humility in the NKJ and gently in the NIV carries both connotations and is also translated as meekness in the NKJ as well. The NIV standardizing their rendering throughout the N.T. as gentleness/gently etc.
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