Paul’s appeals to Timothy: Be bold in the faith (1:6,7) Be strong in Christ’s grace (2:1) Join in suffering for the gospel (1:8; 2:2)

2 Tim 2:11-13 Probably a saying or hymn. The Lord rewards endurance. • If we died w/ him, we will live w/ him - Reads almost word for word like Rom 6:8. By faith we are united with Christ, our sinful selves died with him, and we have new life in him • If we endure, we will also reign with him – the reward of enduring in Christ – We were designed to rule over earth, will reign w/ Christ in the next age • If we deny him, he will deny us - Whoever denies me before men, I will deny before my Father (Mt 10:33) - Not a temporary denial like Peter’s; a permanent denial like Judas’ • If we are faithless, he remains faithful - We are inconsistent, we continue to struggle with sin, we grow lukewarm. – God continues be faithful to his covenant promises in Christ

vv. 14-19 Avoid quarrels over words and meaningless arguments “keep reminding” to endure in their commitment to the gospel. v. 14b. “don’t quarrel about words” lit. “word fight”. It does not good but ruins, tears down. It does not have godliness as its intent.

v. 15. Make it your ambition to obtain God’s approval. To be tested and approved. With no reason to be ashamed. Be accurate with handling (“cut straight”) the truth of the gospel.

v. 16. “avoid irreverent babble” – leads to ungodliness – progress in the wrong direction and spreads like gangrene.

vv. 17-18 Two men left the truth. Greeks viewed the body as evil, so the thought of the body being resurrected was contemptible. They apparently taught a spiritual resurrection had already occurred.

v. 19. Despite this, God’s firm foundation (His church or His truth) stands.

“The Lord knows those who are his”. Quotes Num 16:5, after Korah’s rebellion. Even in a backslidden community God is faithful to know who are his/who are not

“Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity” (Ps 34:14; Pr 3:7). God’s true servants turn from sin and practice holiness.

2 Tim 2:20-21 Separate from false teachers A metaphor: the house is the church The gold and silver items are believers who are set apart for God’s noble use. The wood and clay items are false teachers who are for ignoble purposes. Separate from false teachers – avoid their practices, attitudes and ideas.

2 Tim 2:22-26 Responsibilities of the Leader 1. Flee the evil desires of youth / Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace Run from immaturity – hot-headedness, intolerance, half-heartedness Run hard after righteousness, faith, love & peace 2. Avoid arguments that lead to quarreling Not prohibiting intelligent, probing questions; but divisive arguments. 3. Be a kind and patient leader/teacher Be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged, correct your opponents gently.

God may lead them into the truth. They may escape the trap (the deception) that the devil has them under. They are captives. The truth of the gospel can set them free.

I. The Lord rewards endurance (11) II. Avoid quarrels over words and meaningless arguments (14,16) III. Separate from false teachers (21) IV. Flee evil / Purse righteousness (22) V. Be kind and patient, lead and teach (24-25)