The Pattern Of The Sound Words
THE PATTERN OF THE SOUND WORDS
2 TIMOTHY 1:6-14
Paul encourages Timothy to be not only faithful but also bold in his ministry. Do you need such an encouragement?
Arising out of the good heritage in which Timothy stood, Paul proceeds to appeal to him to remain faithful in his ministry. It is usual to take the gift given by the laying on of Paul’s hands (1:6) as the divine enablement given at Timothy’s ordination (see also 1 Timothy 4:14), though some prefer a reference to an equivalent of confirmation. The point in either case is that God’s gifts do not operate automatically and quite irrespective of people’s spiritual states and inclinations. Such gifts must be “stirred up” if they are to be effective.
Much of this passage is concerned with the necessity for boldness in Christian witness and ministry (1:7-8,12). In every age it has been easier to be timid than to stand up and be counted for Christ. And in every age people have needed the uncompromising message of what God has done in Christ for their salvation. It is still important that Christians are not ashamed either of the gospel by which they stand or of their fellow Christians with whom they stand (see also 1:8). This will often involve a measure of suffering, but then that is inseparable from the life of the Christian (3:12), and especially from that of the preacher (1:11f.).
The other great thought here is that of the given nature of the Christian message. Notice the way the thought of what God has given runs through our passage (1:6-7,9,12,14). God gave the gift of salvation, in all its many-sidedness. But he has entrusted the proclamation of that full and rich salvation to people. They are not to try to improve on it. They are to proclaim it. Finally, trace in 1:9-11 our past salvation, our future hope and our present duty.
Note 1:7: notice the importance of self-control and what is associated with it.