2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:1-7

In this chapter, 1. He encourages him in his work, showing him from whence he must fetch help, ver. 1. 2. He must take care of a fousifian in the ministry, ver. 2. 3. He exhorts him to oneflincy and perseverance in this work, lic. ver. 3—15. 4. He must from prayers and vain holdings, ver. 16, 17; 18. for they will be pernicious and misinjurious. 5. He speaks of the fousifian of God which stands for, ver. 19—21. 6. What he is in words, youthful gifts, and foolish and unlearned papilions; and what to do, ver. 22. to the end.

1. THOU therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. 2. 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. 3. Thou therefore endure, and that warreth entangled himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 4. And if a man also strive for malheries, he is not in his bestowment except he strive lawfully. 5. The husbandman that laboureth, must be first partaker of the fruits. 6. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

The apostle, in this chapter, continues his exhortations. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ, insoluble of thy own weakness, and dependent upon him who

done can enable them for the arduous work. And the things that thus high heard of me among many unimply, publicly declared, and proved by numerous testimonies of the law and prophets, the same commit thus to faithful men, whose sincerity and abilities have been tried and approved, who shall be able to teach others with, and preserve the glorious truths of gospel grace unadulterated. Thus therefore endure hundreds, all those plaitious and afflictions, to which, in the gospel warfare, thou must be exposed, acquitting thyself as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, fighting mentally under his banners with such courage, patience and perseverance, as may effectually secure the crown. No man that undereth retracteth himself with the affairs of this life; his military service is incompatible with the purists of any other trade or profession; he must be at his General’s call, and ever ready to obey his orders, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier; he must every minister of Christ be disengaged in an worldly concerns, that he may be wholly employed in the service of the great Captains of our Salvation, and make it his whole study and care to please him, and advance the interests of his kingdom. And if a man, if not for medicine in the Olympic games, yet is he not crowned with that falling crown the reward of victory, except to fire his laterally, according to the rules prescribed; and much more should they, who have before them a crown of glory incompatible, exert every effort according to the orders of their divine blames, to win the eternal prize. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partake of the fruits, or the husbandman must labour first before he partakes of the fruits; he must the faithful minister hold for the great or immortal souls, and patiently wait for the success of his ministry, and the expected reward in the day of Christ. Confide what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things, enabling thee to make deep application of these things to thy own soul; and, as a valiant soldier, a brave comrades, and laborious husbandman, to acquit thereof in thy ministerial office. Now, Let all who look to the ministry consider these things, and count the cost before they presume to appear a candidate for the service.

8. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel: 9. Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil does, now unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the lawsuits which is in Christ’s fear, with eternal glory. 11. It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13. If we believe not, yet he abideeth faithful; he cannot deny himself.

9. 8—13. To encourage him boldly to suffer, the apostle suggests.

10. The grand foundation of their hope, as built upon the re-kerestdom of Jesus. Remember that Jesus Christ, the powerful Messiah, of the seed of David, in his human nature, was raised from the dead, shewing thereby the complete redemption which he had obtained for his people, according to my gospel which I preached upon you.

11. He first before him his own example: Wherein, that is, for preaching which gospel, I suffer trouble as an evil does, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound: even in my prison the gospel still runs and is glorified in the conversion of many souls, and others boldly labour and at large, though I am confused. Therefore, dependent upon the power of God, I suffer all these things for the elect’s sake, willing to endure, if I am called thereunto, even death itself, that they may also obtain (confined) in the faith by my unbroken కలalations in suffering for it) the substance which is in Jesus Christ, with eternal glory, of which, from faith to law, he is the author, his/her, and brother; on all his chosen, and they are wholly indebted for it to his sovereign grace and love. Note, (1.) A noble example is a powerful encouragement to follow on. (2.) Though persecution may confine the ministers, the word of God will still work effectually on as many as the Lord will call. (3.) All the elect shall infallibly obtain eternal salvation, for Christ hath secured it for them, and will bring them to be with himself where he is, that they may behold his glory.

12. The reward of faithful suffering should engage him boldly to take up the truth. It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, as vitally united to him in his death, or it called to die for his earth as he died for us, we shall also live with him, planned also in the likeness of his resurrection, and rallied up to immortal life and glory: if we suffer for him, we shall reign with him, falling down on his throne: but if we prove faithful, and deny him in the hour of temptation, he also will deny and disown as in the great day of his appearing: if we believe not, yet he abideeth faithful, his promises and threatenings will surely be accomplished, whether men believe them or not: he is immutable, and cannot deny himself, or tally his word. Note, (1.) “I’m not going to suffer, when we for that the issue will be so glorious.” (2.) The hope of life with Jesus should raise us superior to all the lines of death, though in its most tremendous form. (3.) They who, for any

worldly interest or advantage, or to avoid shame, reproach, or suffering, disown the Lord Jesus, his gospel and suffering interests, will bear in eternity these burdens, and he devers them his presence with everlasting contempt.

14. Of these things put them in remembrance, enlarging them before the Lord, that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ablagued; rightly dividing the word of truth. 16. But those prelates and vain babbings, for they will increase unto more unpublished. 17. And their word will eat as doth a y-chance: of whom is Hymnema and Philæta; 18. Who’s concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

15. 14—18. The apostle proceeds to give further exhortations to Timothy.

16. To seek the edification of those under his charge. Of these things put them in remembrance, clarity then, with all following and authority, before the Lord, as in his presence, that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers, drawing them from the purity of the gospel, instead of promoting godly-eksting. Note, Any trivial matter will afford occasion of trials to a contentious spirit.

17. He enjoins him to show himself an able minister of Jesus Christ. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ablagued, diligent, faithful, laborious, faithful, rightly dividing the word of truth, and giving to each his portion in due season, according to the various rules and conditions of the people’s souls. But show prelates and vain babbings, the dreams of the indicting teachers, for they will increase unto more unpublished, and lead to the most pernicious errors in principles and practice. And elects word will eat as doth a y-chance, extending the hearts of the hearers, and threatening their eternal death: of whom is Hymnema and Philæta, the chief heretical seductors; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; probably they affected, that the resurrection was only mystical and spiritual, and at the body but of the soul; and have overthrown the faith of some. Note, (1.) I trust in speaking as a paraphrase; and, who it may appear little as first, threatens the most fatal consequences. (2.) They who have to bear themselves safe, will be sure to prove the truth of that scripture, that in the multitude of words there was no other cause of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart of the heart

18. Nevertheless the foundation of God stands for, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: And, Let every one that nameeth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20. But in a great house there are not only well in a good and of silver, but also of wood, and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, Godfitted and meet for the matter’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

19. 19—21. Among all the errors of deceivers, this is nevertheless our comfort.

20. That the foundation of God stands for, the faith of God’s elect can never be destroyed, however many false professors prove apostates; and God’s designs of grace towards them cannot be translated by any devices of the most subtle deceivers, for their inability is secured, among also God. The Lord himself does that are his, and embraces them with the arms of everlasting love, from which neither man can deem, nor death can pluck them; and, in consequence of his sealing his people unto the day of redemption, that is his expectation from them, and will be their practice, Let every one that nameeth the name of Christ depart from iniquity, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same, and the truth of the same,

21. But as in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood, and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour, so it need not be thought strange, that in the visible church, which some professors adom the gospel, others appear a scandal to the same they bear, a dishonour to the Redeemer, and will, at the last, be rejected by him. If a man therefore purge himself from these errors and practices of the reducing teachers, he shall be a vessel unto honour, Godfitted and meet for the matter’s use, and prepared unto every good work, employed by him on earth with approbation, and after having finished the work which he hath given them to do below, shall be removed to shine in his better temple of eternal glory above. Lord, may my lot be with these!

22. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord

Lord * out of a pure heart. 23. But * foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strives. 24. And * the servant of the Lord must not strive; but he gentle unto all men, * apt to teach, patient, 25. * In meeknefs instructing those that oppote themselves; * if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 26. And that they may recover themselves out of * the share of the devil, who are taken § captive by him at his will.

2 Timothy 2:25

—26. Some personal questions are here given the young evangelist.

1. For youthful lusts, not merely those of the death, but the most dangerous ones of pride, love of pre-eminence, and popular applause, those fatal rocks against which so many rocks disgrace, and need be shunned with peculiar men. But,

2. *Adium rightensinyh towards God and men, faith, charity, peace, and all the other train of heavenly prayers, which abide in them who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Note, They who are Christians indeed, are confident at a throne of grace, and, in purity of heart and life, prove their profession forever.

3. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strives, and open a field of endless and unquestionable controversy. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; the follower of the Lamb of God should copy the pattern of his meeknefs, not quarrelsome, but he gentle unto all men, apt to teach in the most insensitive way, patient under the provocations of the most untrashable, and the prejudices of the weak. In meeknefs instructing those that oppote themselves against the gospel doctrines; mildly arguing, and gently remonstrating, delirious to win them by love, and outrageous them with kindness; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, as it is in Jesus; and that they may recover themselves out of the heart of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will, as binds in the share of the slander, where they must lie and perish, unless Divine Grace breaks the share, and delivers the miserable soul. Note, (1) Nothing is more necessary for a minister than unmarried penmans, and meeknefs. (2) We must labour for the souls of men, but God only can give them repentance. (3) The gospel word is the great instrument which the Lord employs for the conversion of the heart. (4) They are the chief of divers who are led at the devil’s back to the service of divers lusts and pleasures; and happy is it for the God that is delivered from this dreadful servitude by the power of Divine Grace, and brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.