2 Timothy 2

The apostle further exhorts Timothy to propagate the gospel by faithful person 3 and suffer afflictions for the same 4 against which he comforts him by the similitude of a soldier ,combatant and husbandman 7 exhorts him to lay his exhortations to heart and diligently inculcate the article of Christ’s resurrection 9 proposeth unto him also for his comfort his own example and the certain recompense which after suffering shall be given by Christ 14 exhorts him rightly to divide the word of God and oppose strife of words ,vain ,clamor and doctrines of apostatizes and namely of Hymeneus and Philetus who denied the resurrection 19 that although some fall away nevertheless the foundation of eternal election stands fast and shows whereby a man may know that he is elected 22 finally he exhorts him to flee the lusts of youths ,foolish questions and contentions and endeavor after divers Christians virtues which are needful in teacher.

1. Thou therefore my son [see this appellation 1Corinthians 4.17 1Timothy 1.2 2Timothy 1.2] be thou strengthened [or strong that is endured the labor of the ministry and to suffer all manner of afflictions with constancy]in the grace [or by the grace]which is in Jesus Christ [that is which God hath showed and testified to us by Jesus Christ.

2. And that which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses [Gr by many witnesses as 2 Corinthians 2:4 and chapter 3.11 that is thou hast heard publicly in presence of so many of my heaters who all can testify that which thou teachest thou hast heard and received the same from me]entrust that [namely in keeping and propounding of the pure doctrine and in administration of their office]who shall be fit [that is who are not only well exercised in the doctrine but also have fitness to set forth the same for edification]to teach others also

3. Thou therefore suffer afflictions [Gr suffer evil as also verse 9 and chapter 4 verse 5]as a good soldier of Jesus Christ [that is serve the Lord Christ and under Christ in a spiritual war against his and his elects enemies see 2 Corinthians 10.34 7c 1 Timothy 1:18 for a true soldier must fear no labor ,pains, hardship nor perils]

4. No man that serveth in the war is involved in business of livelihood [that is even soldiers can not trouble themselves with merchandise ,trades ,or husbandry whereby we commonly get a living or sustenance but must always attend upon their watches ,marches and other services concerning the war, according to the order of their commanders so also must a faithful teacher of the gospel do the like and not trouble himself with any other worldly thing to administer his office faithfully that he may be acceptable unto God 2 Corinthians 5.9that he may please him who hath received him unto the war [that is his commander or captain]

5. And if any man strife also [namely with wrestling running or such like games which are set up for a prize which was commonly a wretched crown] if he had not striven lawfully [that is according to the laws made for such exercise if he had not dully fulfilled them.]

6. The husbandmen laboring must first enjoy the fruits [this is as a husbandman must first plough, weed, sow, plant, reap, water &c before he receive the fruits so also a teacher of the gospel must first put forth diligent before he can receive any fruits either for the church or for himself Psalms 126:6 Isaiah 65:23 Matthew 13:3 &c 1Corinthians 9.10.]

7. Observe that which I say [that is mean by these similitude to apply them to thy self in thy ministry]but the Lord give understanding in all things [but seeing by nature we can not comprehend those things which are not of the spirit of God and are spiritually discerned 1Corinthians 2.14 I pray unto God that he would enlighten thine understanding both in these and all other things concerning salvation and thine office to comprehend all things rightly and perfectly.]

8. Keep in remembrance [that is be always mindful often to consider and diligently to inculcate that article of faith as well for thine own and the churches comfort as for as for the confutation of false teachers who deny the resurrection see 1 Corinthians 15:12,13 c and here verse 18] that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead is of the seed of David ]according to my gospel [that is according to the doctrine of the gospel which I have always and steadfastly taught whereof the article is one of the principal]

9. For which [Gr in which an Hebraism]I suffer tribulations even unto bands [that is so much and so far that am therefore brought to prisoner here to Rome and am bound and kept with a chain to be judged by Caesar]as an evil doer [that is am so handled as if I had committed some wicked facts]but the word of God is not bound [that is the preaching of the gospel goes forward nevertheless not withstanding mine imprisonment see Philippians 1 verse 12,13]

10. Therefore I endure all things for the elect [that is for the good and for the service of the elect not thereby to satisfy for them for their reconciliation with God for that Christ hath done alone and perfectly Isaiah 63:3 Acts 4:12 1Timothy 2.5 but for their edification and confirmation in faith see Colossians 1:24] that they also may obtain salvation [namely being strengthened in faith by constancy in suffering for the gospel sake]which is in Christ Jesus [that which hath merited and procured for us and which is freely given to the elect for Christ sake]with eternal glory

11. This is a faithful word [see 1 timothy 1.15 and 3.1 and 4.9 Titus 3:8]for if we are dead with him [that is shall be innocently afflicted or put to death for his sake Romans 8:36 2 Corinthians 4:10 as is more largely declared in the following verse] we shall also live with him[namely hereafter eternally]

12. If we endure [namely all manner of tribulation with patience and steadfastness in faith]we shall also rule with him [Gr rule or reign as Kings]if deny him [namely Christ or his doctrine see Mathew 13.33]he shall also deny us.

13. If we be unfaithful[namely in adhering to and confessing him steadfastly or in serving him faithfully or are believing that is believe or trust not in his promise Romans 3:3,4] he can not deny himself [that is do anything that is contrary to the perfection of his nature as if he should say or promise or threaten anything and should not accomplish it Numbers 23:19]

14. Bring these things unto remembrance [or cause them to remember these tings namely inculcating the same to the church upon all occasions]and testify before the Lord [that is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and as in his presence as they love the Lord]that they make no strife of words [see hereof 1 Timothy 6:4]which is profitable for nothing [that is for no edification of the church in faith or piety] but for perverting of hearer [that is entangling, offending, weakening of the faith and these turning them from sound doctrine]

15. give diligence to present thyself approved to God[that is after long trial by labor and tribulations found faithful and upright] a laborer [namely in the work of the Lord in preaching of Gods words in al diligence and faithfulness]who is not ashamed [that is who by reason of negligence impurity or unfaithfulness hath no need to be ashamed] who rightly divided [that is orderly proposeth and applyeth all the articles and members of the same according to the capacity and conditions of the hearers a similitude taken either from the priest of the old testament who fitly dismembered the beast slain for sacrifices or from householders who cut out and distribute meat to their family to everyone according to his condition see 1 Corinthians 3:2 Hebrews 5:12 &c] the word of truth [that is the pure and true doctrine of the gospel see 2 Corinthians 6:7 Colossians 1:5 James 1:18]

16. But oppose [Gr stand about that is not only take heed of it but reprove or hinder it also in others] profane [that is which induceth not in godliness but much rather hindreth it therefore becometh not godly teachers] vain clamors [whereof see 1 Timothy 6:20] for they will increase unto more ungodliness [namely if one get place in them and they not presently withstood]

17. And their [namely vainly clamorers]word[that is false doctrine with which such vain crying and human eloquence they adorned and inculcate]shall eat forward that is be spread through the body of the church and destroy the same a similitude taken from corroding swelling or accidents which consume the flesh of the body and always spread forward as the following word declares ]even as a gangrene [Gr gangraina which accident is not properly that man call cancer although the dame like a cancer always creeps forward and consumes the flesh life and sense except man seek presently to take it away]amongst whom is Hymoneus [of him see 1Timothy 1.20 names here the principal vain clamorer that they being known may be better being avoided]and Philetus.

18. Who are turned away from the truth [that is from the orthodox doctrine of the gospel which before they had professed [saying that the resurrection is come to pass already [that is there shall be resurrection of the flesh that all that the scriptures speaketh of the resurrection must be understood of the spiritual resurrection of the souls from death of sin]and overthrow faith of some [that is their historical knowledge and ascent which they had of the true doctrine see of such a faith Matthew 31 .21 James 2:19.]

19. Nevertheless[although some turn away from the truth and the faith of some is overthrown yet we must not be offended at it as if the salvation of the elect stood at an uncertainty seeing from thence it appears that such were not of the number of the elect who can not be seduced Matthew 24:24] the firm foundation of God [that is Gods purpose of eternal election which is firm and unchangeable Isaiah 14:27 and 46.10 Malachi 3:6 James 1:17 and like a well laid foundation of a building is unmoveable on which purpose as on a firm foundation the salvation of the elect resteth and this foundation is opposed to the one mentioned before that he saith some is perverted or overthrown as a house that hath no firm foundation see Matthew 7:24 &c Luke 10:20] standeth[that is steadfast firm and certain 1Corinthians 16.13 2 Corinthians 1:24 Philippians 1:27 and chapter 4.1]having this seal [that is this sign wherewith book of life in which the names of the elect are written is confirmed as with a seal and wherewith the number of the elect in the foreknowledge of God is sealed as in a book shut up Revelations 22.10 or whereby is known whether a man is elected by God or not revelations 7.3,4] the Lord knoweth them that are his [that is knoweth whom he accounts for his hath chosen and loveth Psalms 1:6 Matthew 7:23 Job 13:18 and causeth also oftentimes that some who by men looked upon for elect by their turning away from sound doctrine and falling to ungodliness are known never to have been such see Numbers 16:5 and 1 John 2:19] and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ [that is who professeth himself to be a believing Christian and consequently elected by God]stand off from iniquity 1John 3.4 and especially from false doctrine as was the heresy of Hyemoneus and Philetus and this therefore is our evidence of our election when we turn away from sin and false doctrine and follow true godliness and continue constantly in the pure doctrine and he hath doth not this cannot be assured that he is elected .]

20. But in great house [that is even as in great house or palace that is inhabitat by a rich or mighty man they are all kind of vessels of divers matters worthy and use so also in the outward and visible church which is the house of God 1Timothy 3.15 are found not true believers who are chosen by God for his honor but also hypocrisy who were never by God acknowledge for his and in his time are discovered see Matthew 3:12 and chapter 13.26 ,47 and chapter 22.11 ,14 and 25.1]they are not only golden and silver vessels but also wooden and earthen vessels and some for honor [that is which are used for honorable or excellence service unto which the elect are compared]but some for dishonor [that is which are used for manner and base service to these hypocrisy and reprobates are compared see the like Romans 9:21]

21. if therefore any man purify [that is departs from them or take heeds that he not defile with them himself hereby he is not held forth that any man is able by his own abilities to purify himself for that must be done by the grace of the holy ghost which purifies us a pure water Ezekiel 36:25 1Corinthians 6.11 but that we must not look upon others who fall away to be offended thereat but that everyone must so carry himself in purity that hereby he may be assured of his election]from these [namely persons who are vessels of dishonor that is from ungodly and probates hypocrites from these seducers as Hymeneuos and Philetus were or from these things which are found in person that is from these their errors vain clamor and ungodliness [he shall be a vessel unto honor [that is shall thereby show that he is truly such a vessel that is elected and acknowledged see the like phrase Job 15:8 sanctified [that is purified from filthiness of sin and consecrated to the service of the Lord]and fit for the masters use [that is that may be used unto honorable and excellent service by the master of the house]prepared [namely by God through his grace 1Corinthians 4.7 Ephesians 2:10] unto every good work [that is unto a holy and godly conversation and unto exercising of all manner of good works]

22. But flee the lusts of youths [that is which young persons are most subject to such as are ambitions ,animosity ,unsteadfastness ,vain-glory, voluptuousness and the like]and pursue [or follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace with them all call upon the Lord with a pure heart that is with true believers namely especially for otherwise we must live in peace with all man Romans 12:18]

23. And reject the questions [that is questions which man dispute]which are foolish and without learning [Gr unlearned that which cannot teach us which serves and is needful for our edification]knowing that they bring forth contentions [Gr combats namely with words]

24. And a servant of the Lord [that is who serves the Lord in the office of teaching]must not contend [Gr fight as in the former verse that is make much brawling of vain things or maintain truth with contentious cavils]but be friendly towards all fit to teach and to bear with the evil [or that which is evil namely of reproach and persecution]

25. with meekness instructing those that withstand [namely the wholesome doctrine of the gospel or who are of contrary opinion]if God at any time [hereby is showed how hardly anyone can be brought from errors to the knowledge of the truth]shall give them repentance [namely of their errors]to the acknowledgement of the truth ]shall give them repentance [namely of their errors]to acknowledgment of the truth:

26. And they awake again [the Greek word signifies properly to be sober again out of drunkenness a similitude taken from the body to apply to the soul out of the snare of the devil [that is out of ignorance ,errors or heresies wherewith Satan holds them ensnared] under which they are captivated [the Greek word signifies to be taken alive as wild beasts are taken by hunters in snare or nets]to his will [that is to do the will of Satan whereunto they are by just judgment given up of God Job 8.44 Ephesians 2:2 .]