2 Timothy Chapter 2

INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history recorded in the Word of God and in any ancient records from many, which records support it, plus archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God, written and preserved for us in our own language, is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.

Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible
Matthew's Bible
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop's Bible
King James/Authorized Bible

There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

Introduction/Start of study

2 Timothy Chapter 2: FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, GOD'S WAY

(2 Timothy 2:1 [KJV])
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

That strength in Him is the source, available to us, freely given for the asking
That Grace in Him is the source, available to us, freely given for the asking
Once again, Paul calls Timothy his son, as spiritually he was
Our spiritual strength is given by grace, coming from the LORD Jesus Christ, not within us

(Ephesians 6:10 [KJV])
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

(2 Timothy 2:2 [KJV])
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.

Males who are faithful, not males who lack faith, who are wavering in faith, unstable in character
"Commit" is the same a "entrust", except "commit" is not an archaic word and therefore not a word that needed to be corrected to "entrust"
Sadly, some of the "modern" "versions" like the NIV incorrectly paraphrase this to "reliable people", not men
This led to "women pastors" years later, which we have today
When one does this properly, they raise up leaders from within to lead, teachers to lead, eventually to plant other churches in the area
Sadly, often this is not done because of fear of replacement, so they hire people for large amounts to show them how to grow, hold "revivals" which have not happened in this country in decades, because of the apostasy

(NIV)
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

(2 Timothy 2:3 [KJV])
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Last through the persecution, as it is coming to you, if it has not already
Soldiers fight wars; we are in a spiritual war, not a fleshly war
Our weapons are prayer without ceasing, reading the Word, rinse, repeat daily
Denial that we are in a war and need to fight means losing said war

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5 [KJV])
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2 Timothy 2:4 [KJV])
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Separation spiritually from this world is what we need to fight, lightening our load, simplifying without tons of possessions which take our time up, our work, our money

(2 Timothy 2:5 [KJV])
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

This is not a worldly war, so then we must follow God and His ways to win over the world, the flesh, our sinful nature
Israel was always defeated and conquered when they walked away from God to serve idols-but preserved, being God's people
We will always lose when warring in our flesh and not with the Sword of the Spirit (lawfully), be conquered on this earth but preserved as a child of God

M`ASTERY, n. Dominion; power of governing or commanding.
If divided by mountains, they will fight for the mastery of the passages of the tops--

Superiority in competition; preeminence.
Every man that striveth for the mystery, is temperate in all things. 1 Cor 9.
Victory in war.
It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery. Exo 32.
Eminent skill; superior dexterity.
He could attain to a mastery in all languages.
Attainment of eminent skill or power.
The learning and mastery of a tongue being unpleasant in itself, should not be cumbered with other difficulties.

(2 Timothy 2:6 [KJV])
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

If one reaps a harvest, working, toiling, they need power to continue, and a reward
They are doing this to feed many, in terms of food, manna, a spiritual work to sew and reap
The work is teaching, making disciples, raising up others, preaching, evangelizing

(2 Timothy 2:7 [KJV])
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

"Think on these things, I will pray"
Our understanding of spiritual things comes from the LORD, acknowledged here, not often understood
On this side of eternity we will never know all things, but all things in context here means all things Timothy (and we) need to know to do ministry and live a godly life (2 Timothy 2:15, below)

(2 Timothy 2:8 [KJV])
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Paul's gospel is the Gospel, given personally to him by the resurrected LORD Himself, making it his gospel, traveling in the mystery years after his conversion on the road to Damascus
This is recorded in Acts 9:3-9, repeated in Acts 22
This gospel is the same as to all saints in both testaments, just that it was uniquely given personally, visibly by blinding light (which blinded him, literally!) audibly to him after the resurrection, whereas the apostles and disciples who were called by the LORD Himself while He was no dead yet got that gospel, he same gospel, for three years while they walked with Him

PAUL'S GOSPEL

(Galatians 1:15-24 [KJV])
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.

(2 Timothy 2:9 [KJV])
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Persecution makes the gospel spread, the church to grow in numbers, which is why it is growing in Muslim countries, under Hinduism, Buddhism, Communism
This is what Paul means when he writes that he is bound; the gospel is not

(2 Timothy 2:10 [KJV])
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.

The purpose of abiding, being steadfast, continuing on is for the unbelievers to get saved by the gospel
Because, if the Word of God, the Gospel, were bound, then there would be no need for us to continue once the persecutions start

(2 Timothy 2:11 [KJV])
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 believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Jesus died so that we may live. We die to live also, in heaven
This life is temporal, sold unto sin, mortal, temporary, as the death rate is one per person
The only people who will not die are those taken in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, taken up alive

(John 12:23 [KJV])
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

(2 Timothy 2:14 [KJV])
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

That which is not spiritual, but fleshly, carnal, worldly, not from God's Word, is what people calling themselves Christians argue about constantly
Examples are which car is better, which sports team is best, which restaurant is the tops in the area, which tell-a-vision show is best, which comedian, which state to live in is best, which way to do this or that
in the church striving about words to no profit: "What day shall we have the next potluck? Shall we change the backdrop in the stage? Why don't we just upgrade the sound system? Who will lead the worship team? Where do we let the choir come in on this song? Shall we hire an outsider to come speak and tell us how to grow our church? I like that Christian author/speaker/TV radio host much better!"
While neglecting what matters, God and His Word, speaking of salvation, what God expects of us, how to make disciples according to God's Word

(2 Timothy 2:15 [KJV])
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The words "unto God" are removed in most "modern" "versions", a sad commentary on today's world
Studying to shew ourself approved to anyone else is not why we study, because the unbelieving world and the body of Christ both can tell when you study or do not study by your words and behavior alone
One can study, be influenced by others who do not rightly divide the Word of Truth, the Word of God, Who is Truth and not be influenced by that Word of God, but provately interpret it, wrest it out of context and force it to say to themselves what they want, not what it plainly says on its own, wrongly dividing it

DIVIDE, v.t. [L., to part. see the latter words.]

To part or separate an entire thing; to part a thing into two or more pieces.
Divide the living child in two. 1 Ki 3.
To cause to be separate; to keep apart by a partition or by an imaginary line or limit. A wall divides two houses. The equator divides the earth into two hemispheres.
Let the firmament divide the waters from the waters. Gen 1.
To make partition of, among a number.
Ye shall divide the land by lot. Num 33.
To open; to cleave.
Thou dist divide the sea. Neh 9.
To disunite in opinion or interest; to make discordant.
There shall be five in one house divided, three against two--Luke 12.
To distribute; to separate and bestow in parts or shares.
And he divided to them his living. Luke 15.
To make dividends; to apportion the interest or profits of stock among proprietors; as, the bank divides six per cent.
To separate into two parts, for ascertaining opinions for and against a measure; as, to divide a legislative house, in voting.

(Matthew 6:7 [KJV])
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

DIVIDE, v.i.

To part; to open; to cleave.
To break friendship; as, brothers divide.
To vote by the division of a legislative house into two parts.
The emperors sat, voted and divided with their equals.

(2 Timothy 2:16 [KJV])
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

The above striving about words are not God's Word and His words, but are indeed profane and vain babblings, idle words, meaningless garbage in life, like those of the heathen

(2 Timothy 2:17 [KJV])
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

Canker sores destroy cheeks, flesh, membranes in the mouth, skin
persons coming in and even spending most of their time discussing worldly, fleshly, carnal things and arguing about them and the Word of God that they never even read eats up a congregation, spreading like wildfire
Older men and women who are "know-it-alls", "raised in the church, seen it all" are among the worst ones who will cut a congregation right in half, speaking about elders, pastors, shepherds and causing division

(2 Timothy 2:18 [KJV])
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Though not entirely clear to us today what was falsely taught by these hereticks, it may be that they taught that the bodily resurrection of all believers had passed and, apparently, some bought it with no careful study or questioning this doctrine like a good Berean
If that is the case, then there was no understanding of resurrections, and that could have been deliberate or simply foolishness, foolhardiness

THE RIGHT TIME(S)

The book of Genesis has many more of the dispensaaations of God's grace than any other book

Innocence (Genesis 1:28)

(Genesis 2:21-25 [KJV])
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Conscience (Genesis 3:7), then the Flood of Noah (Genesis 6:1)

(Genesis 3:6-7 [KJV])
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

THE CALLING AND PREPARATION FOR THE FLOOD
(Genesis 6:7-8 [KJV])
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

THE FLOOD PROPER
(Genesis 7:17-23 [KJV])
And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
Human Government (Genesis 11:1)

(Genesis 11:1-6 [KJV])
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Age of the Law (Exodus 19:1), spoken of by Jesus Christ (Luke 16:16, Mark 11:13)

(Exodus 20:1-17 [KJV])
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: or thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Church Age (Acts 2:1-now), followed by the Rapture

(Matthew 16:18 [KJV])
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

(Acts 2:1-5 [KJV])
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Millennial Kingdom Revelation 20:4

(Revelation 20:4 [KJV])
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

(2 Timothy 2:19 [KJV])
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

We are eternally saved, sealed, sure in our position in Christ
This is because God IS the Foundation, and built our foundation ,and our faith is resting on that foundation, which is the death, burial, resurrection of the Living LORD JEsus Christ, not on ourselves, our works
The ending of this verse is a prayer for those then and us today
A seal at that time in Rome was a wax seal on a folded document, only able to be broken by Caesar, under penalty of lawful execution

(2 Timothy 2:20 [KJV])
But 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.

In the Body of Christ we have carnal, fleshly people, godly, people beyond reproach of all men
Same Body, different vessels, with some glorifying God, some not

(2 Timothy 2:21 [KJV])
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We all have unclean, earthly vessels in us, parts of our character we need to slough off, purge away
So does the entire Body of Christ, in the world, with carnality, apostasy, fleshly lusts, etc.
God can use anyone and anything, including you and me
God will not use us for His Glory if we are not walking in His Grace and glorifying Him

GOD, USING AN ASS

(Numbers 22:27-30 [KJV])
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

(2 Timothy 2:22 [KJV])
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Lust are from our youth, to be run from when we mature, and the opposite of a mature Christian
Run, flee, race, escape any way you can from them, like Joseph did when Potiphar's wife wanted to lie with him

JOSEPH, FLEEING A YOUTHFUL LUST

(Genesis 39:7-12 [KJV])
And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

(2 Timothy 2:23 [KJV])
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Foolish and unlearned questions: "Where did God come from?" "What was God doing before He created mankind?" "Why doesn't God stop the evil in this world?" "What will heaven really look like?" "Will I see my dead pets, animals in heaven?"
Avoid these kinds of questions, and many, many more like them, because there is often no answer, as one can argue these questions for hours, days, weeks, months, a lifetime!

(2 Timothy 2:24 [KJV])
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

As much as we can avoid it, striving over words to no profit means just that, that there are words and answers that do us no good, and are to no profit
Important things are not to be avoided, as that is what the Word of God is for, docrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness
Jesus rebuke dthe unbelievers, the legalistic religious leaders (the scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadduccees, the Sanhedriin, etc.), in and out of His group of disciples

(Proverbs 13:10 [KJV])
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

(2 Timothy 3:16 [KJV])
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(2 Timothy 2:25-26 [KJV])
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

"A servant's purpose is to win souls, not arguments" - Chuck Missler
One part, aspect, characteristic of a person who is unlearned, brutish, wants only to win arguments, a "know-it-all" who does not know the Word of God, but acts like they do more than you do, is that they say one thing here, the opposite here, like their sword is able to flex into whatever shape they desire, bend to their will and still be sharp, not knowing how to wield it against the enemy, but against others who are both weak in their faith and immature, easy targets

OPPO'SE, v.t. s as z. [L. oppono, opposui. The change of n into s is unusual. Two different verbs may be used, as in L. fero, tuli. See Pose.]

To set; against; to put in opposition, with a view to counterbalance or countervail, and thus to hinder defeat, destroy or prevent effect; as, to oppose one argument to another. I may without presumption oppose my single opinion to his.
To act against; to resist, either by physical means, by arguments or other means. The army opposed the progress of the enemy, but without success. Several members of the house strenuously opposed the bill, but it passed.
To check; to resist effectually. The army was not able to oppose the progress of the enemy.
To place in front; to set opposite.
To act against, as a competitor.

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2 Timothy chapter 3