Endurance For Christ
ENDURANCE FOR CHRIST
2 TIMOTHY 1:15–2:13
Though others may wander from the truth, Timothy is to be strong and train reliable people to teach others.
The theme running through this passage is the importance of being singleminded in our service of Christ. It is not easy to be a Christian and never has been. The opposition is so strong that it comes naturally to a man like Paul to use military terms for Christian service, so here he speaks of being “a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2:3).
The metaphor is significant. Paul first draws attention to a couple of citizens who fell short (1:15) and to one who did not (1:16ff.). The time of testing sifts people. It is not to be taken for granted that someone who starts out hopefully on the path of service will continue. These two did not. From this Paul turns to a direct appeal to Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2:1).
Paul then borrows illustrations from three different spheres of human endeavor to drive home his point that endurance to the end is necessary. A soldier does not entangle himself in civilian affairs. An athlete must strive lawfully (which involves strict training). The farmer must work hard before sharing in the fruits of his labor.
Paul is qualified to appeal to his young friend, for he is practicing what he preaches. He is no armchair strategist, giving good advice in the knowledge that he himself will not be hurt. He writes from prison (2:9) and speaks from a wealth of experience, much of it painful, which gave him full and accurate knowledge of what being a good soldier of Christ means.
It is generally thought that 2:11-13 is part of an early Christian hymn, and that the words “The saying is sure” refer to the following, not the preceding. The point of the hymn in this context is that it forms an encouragement to troubled Christians. It speaks of the certainty of ultimate vindication for those who serve Christ faithfully (2:11-12a). It reminds us of the grim certainty that will follow a denial of Christ (see also Matthew 10:33). But the hymn ends on a note of assurance. God is faithful, and his faithfulness will persist. This is not a charter for lax service, but an encouragement to troubled souls, despairing of their ability to do what they should. Their security rests not on their abilities but on God’s faithfulness.
Consider The believer’s strength is unmerited, since it is “in grace,” but it is also unlimited, since it is “in Christ Jesus.”