{"id":1682,"date":"2009-12-28T20:54:55","date_gmt":"2009-12-29T01:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richimages.net\/?p=1682"},"modified":"2015-01-02T14:21:22","modified_gmt":"2015-01-02T19:21:22","slug":"2-tim-1-genuine-christians-are-committed-to-christ-during-difficult-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/?p=1682","title":{"rendered":"II Tim 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

P<\/span>aul writes this last letter, addressed to Timothy, a dear friend, fellow Christian, a younger co-worker. He considers Timothy a beloved son. He writes from prison, probably around 64-67 AD, under Nero’s rule. This letter contains several reflective passages reviewing his life; quite appropriate as he faces immanent death. According to writings of Eusebius (( http:\/\/www.ccel.org\/ccel\/schaff\/npnf201.iii.vii.xxvi.html )) Paul was beheaded during Nero’s reign. Still, he continues to exhort and to encourage Timothy to join with him in suffering for the cause of spreading the Gospel.<\/p>\n

\n

Genuine Christians are Committed to Christ During Difficult Times<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul, \r\n   an apostle of Christ Jesus \r\n                            by the will of God, \r\n                            according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,                                                            \r\n<\/pre>\n
This seems to be a standard opening for Paul. We are given a reminder that God’s had anointed Paul in his apostolic ministry. And, although this opening is short, Paul, mentions that we have the promise of life in Christ Jesus<\/strong>. No doubt, while facing immanent death, imprisoned during times of persecution under Nero’s rule, this was an especially dear comfort to Paul.<\/p>\n
\n
                                \r\n                         \r\n                         |   Grace, |         \r\nTo Timothy,              |   mercy  |        |  God the Father        \r\n         my beloved son: |    and   |  from  |  and                   \r\n                         |   peace  |        |  Christ Jesus our Lord.\r\n                         |          |\r\n<\/pre>\n
This again, follows very standard openings for Paul. Paul ask for spiritual blessings of grace mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/p>\n
\n
I thank God, \r\n          whom I serve with a clear conscience \r\n          the way my forefathers did, (( This phrase, the way my forefathers did<\/strong>, may refer to: (1) Paul thanks God, as did his forefathers.  (2) Paul thanks God with a clear conscious, as did his forefathers. -or- (3) Paul thanks God constantly in prayers, as did his forefathers.   )) \u00a0 (( who was his forefathers?  Is he talking about spiritual forefathers in the family of God, or\r\n                                            his blood-related ancestor forefathers? ))\r\n                                   as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, \r\n                                   longing to see you, \r\n                                                    even as I recall your tears, \r\n                                                    so that I may be filled with joy. \r\n\r\n\r\n<\/pre>\n
After the opening, we immediately catch a glimpse of how Timothy is always on Paul’s mind. Paul longs to see him; he mentions remembering a time when Timothy had tears – perhaps this was the last time they were together, before they last parted company. Could it have been that Roman soldiers attested Paul, in Timothy’s presence? Was young Timothy watching as Paul was carried away, filled with tears? Is this why Timothy is always on Paul’s mind in his prayers night and day? I have no basis for this being the case, just curious speculation – just a thought that comes to mind when reading this section.<\/p>\n
What we do know, is that, historically, Nero began a campaign of extreme persecutions of Christians around AD 64. Nero was especially wicked; historical accounts claim that he even murdered his own family members, – some accounts even include his own wife. The accuracy of these claims are unknown, but Christians were certainly living in fearful times of severe persecutions and Paul is imprisoned at Rome during these times – and he has a strong desire to see young Timothy, to whom this letter is written. Emotions seem high, even as Paul states, he would be filled with joy if he could see Timothy again.<\/p>\n
Here’s some unanswered questions to think about:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Do you think Timothy was able to meet with Paul in response to this letter?<\/li>\n
  • If they were able to met before Paul’s death, what do you think they talked about?<\/li>\n
  • How many times do you think Timothy read this letter from Paul?<\/li>\n
  • Do you think Timothy felt part of something big, from God, that was greater than his fears of persecution? Do you think he possessed an inner peace from God in his life?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n
    Onto the next page …<\/p>\n
     <\/p>\n
     <\/p>\n
    <\/p>\n
    \n
                                                           \r\nFor \r\n  I am mindful \r\n             of the sincere faith within you,<\/span>\r\n                                '\r\n                                '                 | in your grandmother Lois            \r\n                                '                 | and                                 \r\n                                which first dwelt | in your mother Eunice,                 \r\n                                                  | and                                 \r\n                                                  | I am sure that it is in you as well.    \u00a0\r\n<\/pre>\n
    The use of For<\/strong>, above, connects the previous thought with this thought. It tells why<\/i> he longs so passionately to see Timothy! It is because Timothy, is a true believer, having a sincere faith<\/strong> … what image comes to your mind as you think about what Paul means by writing: “the sincere faith within you<\/strong>” ? I think of someone who is pure, and truly devoted in private as well as in public. With some people … you can just tell, or you have a strong suspicion, or it seems obvious what dedication they have for Christ in certain situations. Apparently, this was the way Paul felt towards Timothy, characterizing him as having a sincere faith<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
    \n
                                                    \r\nFor this reason (( Because the gift of the Holy Spirit is in you ))\r\n              I remind you \r\n                         to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you \r\n                                                                        through the laying on of my hands. (( Seemingly, anointed by God through Paul, God's chosen apostolic spokesman ))        \u00a0\r\n<\/pre>\n
    For this reason<\/strong> … what does this<\/em> refer to? It refers to the fact that Timothy possesses this sincere faith! Timothy shares a kindred spirit with Paul. He’s a true Christian.<\/p>\n
    \n
    For (( For<\/strong>, as used here, seems to be connecting<\/i> the previous thought with the next. ))\r\n  God \r\n    has given \r\n            us  \r\n            not \r\n              a spirit of timidity, \r\n            but \r\n              (a spirit)\r\n                       of power and love and discipline.\r\n<\/pre>\n
    From the above passage, it seems that we could make an If … Then … <\/strong> statement. It would be something like:<\/p>\n
    If<\/strong> we have the same holy Spirit in us, that Paul is referring to, which Timothy had received,… Then<\/strong>, when that Spirit<\/i> is “kindled afresh<\/span>“, our lives should have the characteristics of (1) power<\/strong>, (2) love<\/strong>, and (3) discipline<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
    Discipline, is another way of saying, “self-control” – one of the fruits (or by-products<\/em>) of the Spirit. This means that when natural fleshly desires come into our hearts, we can battle against those desires in a way that marks us as being a peculiar people<\/em>, we should be marked statistically different from the norms of the world. We should have a lower divorce probability, lower drug addictions, higher giving to charities, etc …<\/p>\n
    There seems to be implied a second thing here. What if Timothy does not “kindle afresh” this gift of God? Would that mean that he would lack power, love, and discipline? Hummmmmmmmm … something to think about, something that may explain weak Christians in the world today! Perhaps they are not Christians, or else, perhaps, they are Christians that are not “kindling afresh” the gift of the Spirit of God in them.<\/p>\n
    \n
    Therefore\r\n        do not be ashamed ...\r\n<\/pre>\n
    Before we continue, note the word Therefore<\/strong>. Timothy was given the Spirit enabling power, love, and discipline for a reason<\/span><\/em>. We’ll continue to find out what that reason is. We’ll proceed …<\/p>\n
    \n
     \r\n Therefore \r\n                           | of the testimony of our Lord\r\n         do not be ashamed | or                                \r\n                           | of me His prisoner, \r\n                           \r\n                        \r\n             | \r\n         but | join with me in suffering for the gospel<\/span>\r\n             |                         '\r\n                                       '\r\n                                       according to the power of God,\r\n                                                                   ' \r\n                                                                   '       | saved us                     |\r\n                                                                   who has | and                          | not                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        \r\n                                                                           | called us                    | ' according to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             \r\n                                                                                     with a holy calling, | '            our works,\r\n                                                                                                          | '                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    \r\n                                                                                                          | '                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     \r\n                                                                                                          | but                    | purpose |                   | from all eternity, {to} us in Christ Jesus                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           \r\n                                                                                                          |   according to His own | and     | which was granted |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      \r\n                                                                                                          |                        | grace   |                   | but now                                                                         \r\n                                                                                                                                                                 |       has been revealed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 \r\n                                                                                                                                                                 |                        by the appearing                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                         of our Savior Christ Jesus,   |                  \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  '    | abolished death \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  '    | '                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  who  | and                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | '       | life        |                                                     | a preacher                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | brought | and         | to light through the gospel,                        | and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |         | immortality |                           for which I was appointed | an apostle   \u00a0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                             | and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      \r\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | a teacher.                                                                                                                                                                                             \r\n<\/pre>\n
    This sections begins with the word,Therefore<\/strong>. Again, Paul is building on foundations he’s set down. He longs to see Timothy, because he posesses a sincere faith. And, because Timothy posesses this sincere faith, Paul encourages him to stir up the Spirit that resides within him. Why? Because this Spirit directs our lives, it prods us onward with power, love, and self discipline. Paul notes this Spirit’s direction is in stark contrast with characteristics of being timid, ashamed, or cowardly. If ever there was a time to not be ashamed, timid, or afraid – it’s now! Now is the time for Christians to be led with power, love, and self discipline! So here we come to the word, Therefore<\/strong>. We are presented with two paths of action, we may:<\/p>\n
      \n
        \n
      • Be ashamed or embarrassed at Paul’s imprisonment;
        \nfeeling afraid of the political situation … wanting to hide that you’re a Christian
        \nfeeling defeated by the world; etc …<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n
         <\/p>\n
          \n
        • Join with Paul completely!
          \nMentally supporting and identifying with Paul and the Gospel;
          \nViewing this as a privileged opportunity to participate in suffering for the sake of the Gospel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
           <\/p>\n
          Responding with the first option is natural for unregenerate religious mankind; it’s easily understood, therefore it’s short. We all identify with this option naturally. It’s the second option that will need to be explained a bit with some detail!<\/p>\n
          Responding with the second option can only be done according to the power of God<\/strong>, which is available to those who are truly saved. Those that belong to Christ are called to react a certain way<\/em>. We should realize that our re-actions<\/em> are not those of religious works<\/em>. (Religious works are not performed according to the power of God.) Our reactions are Spirit-born, and are those that have always had an eternal purpose for Christ’s glory, and we have been granted the grace and privilege, from all eternity<\/strong>, to demonstrate that purpose. How?<\/em> and Why?<\/em> have we been given the grace and privilege to demonstrate the eternal purpose of displaying Christ’s glory? It’s has been brought to us through what Christ has done, now that He has stepped into our history, – now that He has stepped into our experience, – now that He has stepped into our life, and abolished death and has brought spiritual life to us through the gospel. This is the very same gospel that Paul has been ordained by Him to teach and preach. Re-read the descriptive path in the second option of the Therefore<\/strong> statement above, and see if this summary could be better worded.<\/p>\n
          Recap<\/strong>: We are presented with a choice of being ashamed … or joining Paul without being ashamed. Paul is writing a lot about this idea – that of being afraid, or ashamed. In the next passage, he talks about how he is suffering without being ashamed.<\/p>\n
          \n
          For this reason\r\n\r\n              I also\r\n                   suffer\r\n                        these things,\r\n              --------------\r\n                    '\r\n                    '\r\n                   but\r\n                    '\r\n                    '\r\n              --------------\r\n              I\r\n                   am not\r\n                        ashamed;\r\n              --------------\r\n                    '\r\n                    '\r\n                   for\r\n                    '\r\n                    '\r\n              --------------\r\n              I\r\n                   know whom I have believed\r\n                    '\r\n                   and\r\n                    '\r\n              I\r\n                   am convinced\r\n                              that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him\r\n                                                                                  until that day.    \u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/pre>\n
          How does Paul suffer without being ashamed or afraid? The key is the for part<\/i> of this passage. By having confidence in God, knowing Him, having the faith to believe that God never lies, and that He will keep our commitment to Him, and that He is able to follow through on His promise. It can not be faked, or worked up, it must be genuine faith. The way that we join with Paul in is suffering is according to the power of God<\/strong> – enabled in direct proportion to our faith in Him.<\/p>\n
          \n
          Retain the standard of sound words \r\n                                 which you have heard from me, \r\n                                 \r\n                                        | faith | \r\n                                 in the |  and  | which are in Christ Jesus.\r\n                                        | love  |\r\n                                                 \r\nGuard,\r\n    through the Holy Spirit \r\n                          who dwells in us, \r\n    the treasure \r\n               which has been entrusted to you.\r\n<\/pre>\n
          \n
          \r\nYou are aware of the fact \r\n                        that all who are in Asia \r\n                                               turned away<\/span> from me,\r\n                                                     '  \r\n                                                     '              | Phygelus    \r\n                                                     among whom are | and \r\n                                                                    | Hermogenes. \r\n                                                     \r\n  \r\n                                               \r\nThe Lord grant mercy                                           \r\n                   to the house of Onesiphorus,     | often refreshed me                           \r\n                                             for he | and                          \r\n                                                    | was not ashamed<\/span> of my chains;      \r\n                                                               '\r\n                                                               '\r\n                                                               but                            \r\n                                                                 when he was in Rome, \r\n                                                                         \r\n                                                                                              \r\n                                                                            | searched for me     \u00a0\r\n                                                                 he eagerly | and             \r\n                                                                            | found me\u2014       \r\n                                                  \r\n                                                  \r\n                                                  \r\nthe Lord grant \r\n             to him \r\n                  to find mercy from the Lord on that day \u2014 \r\n                  \r\n                  \r\n                  and \r\n                  \r\n                  you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.\r\n<\/pre>\n
          Recap:<\/strong>
          \nWhen faced with adversity, and trials, and hard times, – imprisonment, for example, will we abandon the faith? Will we be ashamed? Will we be afraid? Paul encourages young Timothy not to be ashamed, not to be afraid, but rather to join with him in suffering for the gospel ( 2 Tim 1:8 ). Paul states that because we have God’s Spirit in us, and because that Spirit does not have characteristics of being timid – but characteristics of power, and love and self discipline ( 2 Tim 1:7 ) … then this is why he himself is able to suffer without being afraid. ( 2 Tim 1:12 )<\/p>\n
          And even here, in the short passage above, Paul is citing different cases where people have abandoned the faith from fear, or being ashamed. ( 2 Tim 1:15 ). He has contrasted those type of people with Christians that stand firm during these difficult times, pointing out Onesiphorus ( 2 Tim 1:16-17 ). Onesiphorus was aggressively positive, he active sought out Paul’s location with a focused resolution to provide encouragement to Paul with whole-hearted support and comfort – even when Paul was imprisoned!<\/p>\n
          Think about that for a moment. If Paul was in prison for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and you spend time and energy supporting him, wouldn’t that mean that you yourself might be labeled a Christian-sympathizer, and possibly suffer the same fate as Paul? Exactly! And, it would demonstrate the beauty and far surpassing value of Christ in your life! It would be life of confession that glorifies our Lord and Savior! Why does it glorify our Lord and Savior? Because, it’s the reason we have His Spirit in us, it’s His own testimony in us that He’s interested in having displayed to the world! Should we be treated any differently by the world, than the way that the world treated Jesus?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
          Paul writes this last letter, addressed to Timothy, a dear friend, fellow Christian, a younger co-worker. He considers Timothy a beloved son. He writes from prison, probably around 64-67 AD,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-thoughts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1682"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1682\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/richimages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}