Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

           
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. I pray for you night and day.

           
Greatly desiring to see you being mindful of your tears that I may be filled with joy, knowing that you are in sorrow over our separation and mindful of this, I want to come to you that I may be filled with joy.

           
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith which is in you, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Louis, and  mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that it dwells in you also. Wherefore, I would put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

           
The Holy Spirit of God is not the spirit of fear or terror. It is the spirit of love. If we love God and he gives us his spirit because of our repentance and the atoning sacrifice of Christ, he will give us his spirit of love. He will give us a part of his very nature which is love. And perfect love does cast out fear.

           
When we love and when we know we are loved, there is no room for fear. God's spirit allows us to keep God's commandments, which pleases him. And if we please him and love is present, there is no fear. Fear lies in those who break God's commandments for they are incurring the wrath of God. They will be disciplined. They will be corrected. They have the fear that they will be corrected. Even if they don't believe God exists right now, some day they will know, and when they know, they will shake with fear because they will be facing correction for their evil deeds. And then they must learn to keep God's commandments.

           
The keeping of God's commandments leads to life and it leads to love and it leads to eternal salvation and eternal life. It pleases God, and just as importantly or almost as importantly, it prevents all those things which interfere with life.

           
God says, "Don't kill." But when we kill, it is the taking of life. It is the ending of life. And when we turn away from killing, that action preserves life. Even so, all the law of God is holy and just and good. God's commandments, God's laws engender salvation. They lead to love and peace, harmony, and eternal life.

           
And breaking God's law means doing those things that result in death, in decay, in destruction. God's spirit is a spirit of power because God's spirit gives us the ability to control our behavior, the ability to decide to keep God's commandments, and the ability to control ourselves so that we can put away out sin and turn to righteousness.

           
It is the spirit of power allowing us to keep and do those things pertaining to God and to keep and do those things pertaining to the way to life. So, God's spirit cast out fear and it gives us power to live the way which brings by its natural result; life.

           
And the sacrifice of Jesus Christ atones for past sin repented of. It does not justify continuing in sin for if we continue in sin, we are building again that edifice of death. We are building again those things which will result in our own destruction and the destruction of others. We must not continue in sin. And by the power of God's spirit, the power of a sound mind, we can stop sinning.

           
Verse 8: Be not thou, therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner.

           
That is, I am bound in chains to Christ because I have committed myself to him. I have been purchased by him, purchased by his sacrifice. I belong to him.

           
But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God, who have saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our deeds, our sins, our law breaking, but according to his own purpose and grace, that is, the forgiveness which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

           
This showing that Christ was intended to be sacrificed before the world began. This was all part of the plan that Christ would come and give himself for the sins of men.

           
But is now made manifest by the actual appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

           
Timothy don't be ashamed or afraid of our bonds or our suffering or persecution because we have a most glorious reward, the reward of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

           
Verse 12: For the which cause I also suffer these things, nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

           
I know that I believe in the Father and in Christ and I am absolutely persuaded that they have the power to complete their purpose, to fulfill their plan, and to accomplish what they have set out to do. There is no need for us to be afraid or ashamed.

           
Hold fast, the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keeps by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us.

           
This thou knowest that all they that are in Asia be turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. They have turned away.

           
The Lord gives mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain: But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me. And we find reference to him in the letter to Philemon.

           
But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day, and in how many things he ministered unto me Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

           
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 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.

           
Timothy is being told, he should teach other men who will then proceed to teach other people as well, that the gospel might be spread.

           
Now, therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strives for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.

           
As a laborer in the things of God, you will be a partaker of the fruits and of the rewards for that labor.

           
Consider what I say, and the Lord gives thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, considered to be an evil doer, even unto bonds, but the word of God is not bound. They may bind me, but they cannot bind the word of God.

           
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.

           
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

           
If we suffer as Christ sufferd, we will be rewarded as Christ is rewarded with ruler ship over the nations. And if we are willing to give our lives to the Father as Christ gave himself wholly for the Father and to the Father, then we shall be accepted as Christ was accepted; through the sacrifice of Christ and we shall be rewarded for our willingness to serve God with all of our strength.

           
If we deny him, he will deny us. There is no place in God's work for someone who goes around saying "A strong hand from some place is going to save us." No that is too vague and too ambiguous and meaningless. It means so many things to so many people. We are not to deny Christ. We are to say Jesus Christ will come to save us. His will be done; because his will is to do the Father's will.

           
And if we deny him, if we go around saying some strong hand, and we deny Jesus Christ and God the Father and we don't declare the truth right out, then he's going to deny us.

           
If we believe not, yet he abides faithful. If we have our doubts, he is always faithful for he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord.

           
That is, he's telling Timothy: The people you are teaching; remind them of these things and charge them before the Lord. That they strive not about words to no profit for the subverting of the hearers.

           
You shouldn't be so terribly picky about the meaning of one word taken out of context. You have to put all things together on a particular subject to come up with the proper meaning that is intended. And God did this in this way for a purpose. He knew that his word would be translated into many languages out of the original.

           
He knew that the translators would make errors and would make mistakes, and therefore, he repeated the same thing over and over, many, many times and he did this in many different ways. So that when we put all of those things together on a subject, we come up with a whole picture even if there are some translation problems here and there.

           
And even if there are some maybe problems with copying or with the original language or the intent of the translators, everything can be understood if everything on a particular subject is put together.

           
Verse 15: Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

           
And we should all do that. We should all study so that we are approved of God, study so that we learn to divide the word of truth. That is to divide truth from the error and learn to understand the truth of God.

           
Shun profane and vain babblings.

           
And that simply is referring to vain speaking. Some people just go on and on and say nothing or they say vain and empty things. Shun that, for they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will eat as doeth a canker of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal. The Eternal knows those that are his. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

           
Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. And what is iniquity? Iniquity is sin. And what is sin? Sin is the transgression of the law, so John writes.

           
Paul here tells Timothy and also us: And, let everyone that names he name of Christ departs from iniquity, depart from sin, depart from transgressing the law.

           
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and of earth, some to honor and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor. That is, if he purges himself from dishonor, then he should become honorable, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

           
Flee, youthful, lusts, follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife.

           
Sometimes people come and ask questions for the sole purpose of goading you into an argument. Avoid that. Just tell them, "This is what I stand on. If you don't like it, go somewhere else."

           
Such people just can't be dealt with because they don't really want an answer to their question. They just want to pick a fight. They want an excuse to start an argument, and those kinds of people, avoid.

           
Verse 23: Foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender strife. That is their very purpose.

           
And the servant of the Lord must not strive, that is, you don't go looking for fights with people. But be gentle unto all men, able to teach, be patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

           
That is, teach the truth to those who will receive it and if people just want to fight with you and they want to have a big argument and they think that they're going to bully you or make you look like a fool, avoid such people. It's pointless to argue with them. It's just a waste of time and it's a vexation to the spirit of God.

           
Verse 16: And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

           
That is, teach those people who are in the snare of the devil, teach them how to escape from that and how to turn to Christ and receive salvation. But don't just fight with people who despise you and despise what you're teaching and just want to have a big fight.

        
This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves. They're going to be selfish. Covetous, desiring other people's goods, property, fame whatever it is they're coveting what other people have that they don't.

           
They are boastful, proud. They think a lot of themselves, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthanking, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

           
Isn't that true? The love of pleasure permeates every aspect of our society. It is a Hedonistic society and it is filled with the love of pleasure, and a contempt for the things of God; because the things of God are against the pleasures of this world. And the pleasures of this world are against the things of God. And mankind today has chosen the pleasures of this world, to war against the things of God. They have chosen pleasure instead of righteousness.

           
They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof from such turn away.

           
And that is the kind of people who go to church, come out and say "Oh, I am so righteous because God has called me and I've gone to a great church. We have great ministers and  great sermons. And all of this is so great." And then they go home. They pollute their bodies. They pollute the Sabbath. They envy their neighbors. They abuse their children and their wives. They're unfaithful, unthinking, and unthankful. Yes, from such turn away.

           
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with diver’s lusts.

           
That is, these kinds of people will take advantage of silly women to seduce them and led them away from their husbands and from chastity.

           
These people are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now, as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do those who resist the truth: men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith. For they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

           
That is, as Jannes and Jambres’ folly became known to all, sooner or later the folly of wicked men will also become known. And their sins will be known and they will become known as the foolish people that they are. Having rejected eternity and rejected salvation for the temporary pleasures of this world.

           
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

           
We shall all suffer persecution in one way or another throughout our lives; if we seek to keep God's commandments and follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

           
But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue you [that is, everyone who hears] in these things which you have learned and has been assured of, knowing that of whom thou has learned them. And that from a child you has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

           
For all scripture, all of it, every word in the Holy Scriptures is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

           
Those people say "The law of God is done away, and Paul is against the law of God" are ignorant and know nothing, for Paul says; "All scripture is profitable to perfect the man of God. It's profitable to correct, to instruct in righteousness that the man of God may become perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

           
The Holy Scripture is the way to salvation and it is the way to a mature, adult attitude and way of conduct in life. And all the world, all humanity can be considered as little children. Some are faithful, obedient to their parent. Others are rebellious, disobedient, bullheaded, wanting to do things their way own way and to hurt one another and abuse one another. And we all have to grow up.

           
And the people who grow up loving and obeying their God, their parent, their Father, he will bless with eternal life and give them their reward. And those who are headstrong and bullying and abusing and wicked, he will correct like any good parent. That is for sure. God will correct the wicked until they either repent and turn to righteousness or until they are no longer correctable and have to be destroyed in order to protect the rest of the children. In order to protect all the children, a few bad ones have to be weeded out in the same way that you weed out a rotten apple out of a barrel of apples.

            
I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Teach the people.

           
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, wanting to hear smooth things, wanting to hear the things that they want to hear. And they will gather around teachers who tell them the things they want to hear.

            
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables.

           
Oh yes, they shall seek unto the prophecies of Nostradamus or the I-Ching; and not to the Holy Scriptures of God. People shall turn away into all these fables.

           
But watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Eternal, the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

           
That seeks after his appearing, that don't think in their hearts. Oh yes come; but not till I get a house, or have a wife, or build a boat.

No. Those people who seek his coming and his appearing right now, yesterday, if it were possible. Those who seek after, who look after, who earnestly desire his coming, they will get their reward.

           
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world and is departed unto Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is still with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you for he is profitable to me for the ministry, and Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring that with you, and the books, especially the parchments.

           
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works of whom be thou aware also for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me.

           
That is, when I was brought up on charges before the magistrates, no one stood up to defend me but all forsook me.

           
I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge, that God may not hold this against them that they forsook me. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom to which be glory forever and ever. Amen.

           
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus, Erastus abode at Corinth but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Do thy diligence to come before the winter. Eubulus greets thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

           
And that concludes Paul's second letter to Timothy.

copyright 2010   James David Malm