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Timothy is to impart saving truth to his faithful disciples (1–14). In doing so, Timothy must pay attention to the central point of the gospel teaching (15–19). One should not place all the dignity of a person in his spiritual gifts (20–23). Timothy must teach with gentleness both believers and unbelievers (24–26). 2Tim.2:1. Therefore, my son, be strengthened in the grace of Christ Jesus, This verse presents the conclusion to the previous exhortation. The Apostle convinces Timothy that, in contrast to the weak Christians of Asia Minor, he should show himself strong, taking advantage of the grace of the Holy Spirit offered to all people through Christ (1 Cor. 1:4 and Titus 3:5 et seq.; 2 Tim. 1:14). Timothy must not be strengthened in grace, but through, with the help of (έν) grace, he must appear strong in order to defend the Apostle Paul and continue his work. 2Tim.2:2. and what you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, then convey to faithful people who would be able to teach others. "Before many witnesses". The translation is inaccurate. In Greek, the preposition here is διά - “through”, and “with” - επί. But it is also inconvenient to translate this passage with the expression “through many witnesses”: why would Timothy listen to the teachings of the Apostle Paul still need some witnesses? A more natural translation proposed by Wohlenberg: “through many things (πολλών – neuter gender) testifying” (μαρτύρων – parl. present time. From μαρτυρέω). Timothy, listening to the Apostle Paul, declared (testified) in many deeds about his sympathy for him, about his desire to work for the benefit of the Gospel, as it was set forth by Paul. He turned out to be a faithful, reliable listener, and he, in turn, must find equally faithful and reliable listeners. 2Tim.2:3. So endure suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. How can Timothy show his strength (2 Tim. 2:1)? First, in enduring suffering with Christ, like a warrior following his leader (instead of κακοπάθησον “endure suffering”, some codes read συκακοπάθ - suffer together). 2Tim.2:4. No warrior binds himself to everyday affairs in order to please the military leader. Secondly, Timothy can show his strength in renouncing all personal gain and profit, because all his thoughts must be directed to fulfilling the will of his leader - Christ. 2 Timothy 2:5. Even if someone strives, he will not be crowned if he struggles illegally. Thirdly, like an athlete, Timothy must, during preaching, as during wrestling, observe the well-known rules of wrestling, that is, use the word of God, which is a sharp sword, as it should, without weakening its strength and requirements (cf. 2 Cor 10:3-4). Only such a fighter-preacher will receive a crown as a reward (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:10). 2 Timothy 2:6. The toiling farmer must be the first to taste the fruit. As a result of such hard work and hard work (κοπιώντα), the preacher will have the pleasure of being the first to taste its fruits. In the future life, he will receive a heavenly reward before his flock (cf. Matthew 19:28 et seq.). 2 Timothy 2:7. Understand what I say. May the Lord give you understanding in everything. 2 Timothy 2:8. Remember the Lord Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, who rose from the dead according to my gospel, 2 Timothy 2:9. for which I suffer even to the point of being imprisoned, like a villain; but there are no bonds for the word of God. 2 Timothy 2:10. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may receive salvation in Christ Jesus with everlasting glory. Timothy must carefully consider everything that the apostle has said so far, and God will give him (it is better to read δώσει than δώη - may he give) understanding in this case. At the same time, Timothy must remember Christ, who rose from the dead. The Apostle does not say that Christ died, but this is assumed by itself, just as the requirement from all Christians to be ready to die with Christ is also assumed to be necessary. "From the seed of David". Christ rose to a glorious life, being in body only a descendant of a man - David (the expression “from the seed of David” depends on the word: resurrected - έγηγερμένον). But not only the exaltation of Christ after His resurrection is indicated here, but also His true humanity, in refutation of false views of Christ (cf. 1 Timothy 2:5). "According to my gospel". The apostle suggests that it is possible that other preachers of the Gospel bring their own views into this teaching about Christ. His “Gospel,” that is, his system of Christian teaching, is so true for him that he goes to the trouble of suffering for it. “But there are no bonds for the word of God.” These words need to be accented with dashes, as an introductory thought. “For the sake of the elect” - that is, because of those whom the will of God has chosen for salvation, but who still hesitate to accept Christianity, fearing the need to endure sorrow associated with it. To strengthen them, the Apostle himself goes to all kinds of suffering for Christ. 2 Timothy 2:11. The word is true: if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 2 Timothy 2:12. if we endure, then we will reign with Him; if we deny, He will deny us; 2 Timothy 2:13. if we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. The Apostle, to encourage Timothy, cites the “faithful word,” i.e., an excerpt from Christian hymn, which expresses the confidence of Christians in glorification with Christ for those who will go to death with Him. “Died” – in the real sense of the word. Here we mean martyrdom for Christ, which a believing Christian must always be ready to endure. On the other hand, he who renounces Christ will not be recognized as Christ as His own at His second coming to earth. “He remains faithful,” that is, He will exactly fulfill what He said, namely His threats. 2 Timothy 2:14. Remind us of this, imploring us before the Lord not to enter into arguments over words, which in no way serves to benefit but rather to upset those listening. “Remind me of this” - that is, of the need for preachers of the Gospel to suffer for Christ in order to inherit glorification in the future. “Adjuring before the Lord” - pointing out to the listeners their responsibility before God. “Do not enter into verbal disputes” - according to some readings: do not enter into verbal disputes (μή λογομάχεί). This begins a new series of admonitions addressed to Timothy himself. 2 Timothy 2:15. Try to present yourself worthy to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, faithfully dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:16. And avoid obscene idle talk; for they will prosper even more in wickedness, 2 Timothy 2:17. and their word will spread like cancer. Such are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 2 Timothy 2:18. who have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are destroying the faith of some. In contrast to false teachers, Timothy must be a diligent, good worker for God, blameless - more correctly: not ashamed of his service (cf. 2 Tim. 1:8) and, finally, in the matter of teaching, paying attention to the essence of the matter, and not to secondary circumstances, as the false teachers did: he should not shake up empty straw (Wolenberg). The same idea is contained in the expression: “those who teach correctly”... (more correctly: those who directly cut - όρθοτομείν - the word of truth). “They are even more”, i.e. these false teachers will go even further (προκόψουσιν) - they will enter the region of wickedness (άσεβείας - wine of sets, numbers, as a definition of the further stage of false teaching). “And their word is like cancer.” From wickedness they will move to heresy, which will spread throughout the body of the Church of Christ, like a disease known as cancer. The Apostle points to two such false teachers who went so far as to deny the resurrection of the dead, the teaching of which, in their opinion, should be understood in a figurative sense, as something that already happened under Christ, who spiritually revived many people. "Him" - see 1 Timothy 1:20. 2 Timothy 2:19. But the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His”; and: “Let everyone who confesses the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” “But” – more precisely: but still (μέντοι). “Solid foundation” (στερεός θεμέλιος) - that is, Christ Himself, crucified and resurrected, laid by God Himself as the solid foundation of the Church. “Stands” - remains in its place, despite all the confusion brought into the life of the Church by heretics (cf. 1 Cor. 3:11 et seq.; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6). “Having a seal” - which certifies His high position. “The Lord knows those who are His” is a general statement modeled on the expression of the book. Numbers (Num. 16:5 according to 70). God the Father knew His Son in His humiliation and made Him the Son of power (Rom. 1:4). Anyone who enters into communion with the Son is also recognized by God the Father (Gal 4:9; cf. Matt 7:23). In all likelihood, the apostle here imagines the fact of the baptism of believers (Rom. 6:3 et seq.; Col. 2:12). “And let him depart...” This is another inscription found on the stone, modeled after Numbers 16:21. Christ throughout His earthly life was far from all the untruths of the world, and therefore every follower of His is also required to have holiness of behavior, which he promised to demonstrate even at the time when he was baptized. The connection between this verse and the previous one is as follows: denying the resurrection of the dead undoubtedly leads people to moral degeneration and savagery, because it destroys the fear of future judgment (cf. 1 Cor. 15:32 et seq.). But whoever knows that he is closely connected with the risen Christ and that he himself will rise in time cannot lead a bad life here. 2 Timothy 2:20. And in a large house there are vessels not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; and some in honorable, and others in low, use. 2 Timothy 2:21. So, whoever is clean from this will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, fit for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:22. Flee youthful lusts, and adhere to truth, faith, love, peace with all those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:23. Avoid stupid and ignorant competitions, knowing that they give rise to quarrels; Who is meant by vessels here? Of course, individual Christians who in one way or another contribute to the progress of church life. But there are differences in gifts among Christians. Some, by the goodness of God, have extraordinary gifts, for example. brilliant oratorical talent, while others always look extremely modest, because they do not have any outstanding abilities (cf. Matthew 13:23; 1 Cor. 12:14 et seq.). The first can be called vessels made of shiny and expensive materials - gold and silver, the second are made of wood and clay. But the latter are often of great importance in the life of the Church. On the other hand, in the Church there are vessels into which, so to speak, all the dirt and rubbish from the house is collected - these are godless, wicked people, although they continue to bear the name of Christians. Such people, of course, can also be among those people who have special talents. Timofey should therefore not be carried away by appearances, but should evaluate people by their inner dignity. If a prominent Christian speaker himself has not fallen behind pagan habits, Timothy should avoid him (“whoever is clean from this”). And every Christian who separates himself from such wicked people, if he cannot yet be called a vessel of “honor,” can become so over time (cf. 1 Cor 12:22–25). “Flee youthful lusts” - that is, do not get carried away by the views on things characteristic of young people. Young people are often carried away by external brilliance, not attaching importance to a person’s inner merits. Timothy must do things differently. He must evaluate people from the point of view of Christian morality and look for friends only among honest people who sincerely worship God. Timothy must avoid various disputes, even if others in them showed their high mental abilities (cf. 2 Tim. 2:14). 2 Timothy 2:24. The servant of the Lord should not quarrel, but be friendly to everyone, teachable, gentle, 2 Timothy 2:25. instruct your opponents with meekness, lest God give them repentance to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Timothy 2:26. so that they will be freed from the snare of the devil, who has ensnared them in his will. As an example to Christians, Timothy, for his part, should show meekness and kindness in discussing various issues among members of the Church. Even with the opponents of the Church - Jews and pagans - he should not get into quarrels, but meekly instruct them, expecting that God will give them the strength to believe the preaching of Timothy and thus break out of the devil's snares in which they are entangled (cf. Eph 2:2). You might be interested in: