LESSON AIM

1. We will be able to identify the pressures that make it difficult to remain faithful

2. We will be able to recognize how Paul’s counsel to Timothy can equip us to remain steadfast and faithful amidst the evil attractions and enticements of contemporary society.

KEEP IN MIND

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).

Believers were experiencing persecution, and Paul predicts that more is to come. In the face of persecution, many would not be faithful. Paul exhorts believers to persevere for the LORD and for HIS WORD, no matter what circumstances they encounter. All Scripture is inspired by GOD and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.

By way of background, in 2 Timothy 2, Paul outlines what a pastor is, does, and should strive to be. Paul goes on in chapters 3 and 4 to inform Timothy of what he might expect from the society and culture in which he has been called to serve. Given the nature of life in Ephesus, Paul is also concerned about instructing Timothy on how he should respond to the evils and diabolical trends of his day.

Historians of that day cite Ephesus as being one of Asia’s major trading centers. According to Luke, Paul ministered there for about 27 months to 3 years (Acts 19:8, 10; 20:31).

Religion that revolved around man-made gods was a part of everyday life in Ephesus. One of the more popular local deities was the Greek goddess Artemis (known as the goddess Diana among the Romans), whose image was carved in a variety of materials and sold to citizens and tourists. In opposition to the civic cults and their sale of hand-carved gods, Paul preached that man-made “gods are no gods at all” (Acts 19:26). Paul’s message did not set well with the local merchants because they were afraid of losing business, An “uproar” (i.e., riot) resulted, and eventually Paul was forced to leave the city (Acts 19:24; 20:1).

Timothy is informed that the evils of the society will not go away. Indeed, “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). The times and ways of the society are not going to get better. But Timothy is charged “before GOD” (4:1) to fulfill his calling even in the midst of worsening times.

1. PAUL WARNS TIMOTHY (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Paul warns Timothy that the future will entail hard times and that people will become increasingly unholy. The reference to “perilous times” implies days that will be filled with violence and will be hard to bear, troublesome, and dangerous. People will be active participants in all kinds of vices.

Paul lists 18 vices that Timothy may expect to characterize people’s lives. While these vices are not unique to Timothy’s community, they do represent behavior and conditions that are foreign to GOD’S WILL for a holy people. In Timothy’s day, these vices were typical of those who professed to be religious. Their religion, however, was not patterned after godliness, but rather after the popular philosophies of Greek and Roman culture. Timothy is warned to “turn away” from those who practice such behavior (v.5).

Paul’s use of the phrase “turn away” is best understood in the light of his counsel in 2 Timothy 2:24, where Timothy is counseled to “be gentle unto all men.” In this context, Timothy is not expected to sever all personal relations with those whose religious forms deny the power of godliness. Rather, Timothy is “to practice a separation in spirit from the actions and attitudes of the errorists.”

Timothy is to do whatever is necessary to avoid being infected by the teachings and behaviors of evil men and seducers. Timothy may seek to evangelize and teach such persons, but he must “turn away” from those who stubbornly refuse his instruction and intend to “wax worse and worse” (3:13) in their profane behaviors. This is wise counsel for all believers in their association with non-believers. While we may converse with them, we must not become like them nor participate in their ungodly practices. We are a holy people, called, as was Timothy to live godly.

2. PAUL ENCOURAGES TIMOTHY TO LIVE GODLY (v.12)

From time to time, all believers who live and serve during perilous times need encouragement to remain steadfast and faithful and to carry out their ministries fully, even when facing ridicule.

As evil grows in its intensity, Timothy may expect to “suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). But in the face of certain persecution, he is encouraged to “watch in all things” (i.e., literally, “keep your head in all situations,” “be sober and do not become drunk with wine”), “endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of ministry” (4:5). While spreading the Gospel, Timothy is to be both calm in spirit and cautious with respect to the evil and deceptive influences around him. He and all other believers can best do this by remaining faithful to the Scriptures.

3. PAUL ENCOURAGES TIMOTHY TO REMAIN FAITHFUL (vv.14-17)

During perilous times, those who live godly are helped to remain true to the faith by remaining faithful to the Scriptures. Knowing this, Paul encourages Timothy to remain faithful to THE WORD OF GOD that he had been taught since childhood. Timothy is not to lose touch with the testimony and spirit of those who instructed him in the faith, for his relationship with them helped to validate the things he had learned from them. The influence of one who is prepared to suffer for the truth they teach has great impact upon the learner. Their suffering helps validate the things they teach.

Paul’s life of suffering and his relationship with Timothy helped to validate the things Timothy had learned from Paul. Their shared experiences had bound them together as true “yokefellows.” They respected each other and rejoiced in each other’s ministries. Paul draws upon this rich bond of fellowship to give credence to his appeal to Timothy to continue “in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (v.14).

Timothy has no need to go in search of a new teaching. The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST and HIS LOVE, known so well by his mother and grandmother, is “able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in CHRIST JESUS” (v.15).

The sufficiency of the Scriptures to guide us in developing faith in GOD and practicing godliness is never a question in Paul’s mind. He is convinced that “all scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (v.16). The aim and goal of Scripture is to help “perfect” believers in godliness and to equip them to do “all good works” (v.17). The phrase “that the man of GOD may be perfect” should be read to mean “fit for the MASTER’S use and thoroughly equipped to live godly even during perilous times.”

4. PAUL COMMANDS TIMOTHY TO PREACH THE WORD (4:1-2)

By this time, Paul is keenly aware that he will undoubtedly be executed sometime in the immediate future (4:6-8). Consequently, his charge to Timothy is solemn, earnest, and somber.

The last words of great men merit our attention. Their last words help us to identify what they deemed as most important in life. Teaching and preaching and spreading the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST was exceedingly important to Paul. On one occasion Paul said, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16) For Paul, nothing was more important than sharing the GOOD NEWS about saving grace through faith in JESUS CHRIST.

Timothy is not to take his charge lightly. He is to be prepared to preach “in season” and “out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). He is to take advantage of every opportunity to teach and preach and to do so with patience and persistence.

5. PAUL INSTRUCTS TIMOTHY TO BE PATIENT AND PERSISTENT (vv.3-4)

To remain faithful to the Scriptures, to live godly, and to preach the Gospel during perilous times requires patience and persistence. In these verses, Paul instructs Timothy to remain patient and persistent as he pastors the people in the face of their tendency to be led away by false teachers.

Patience and persistence, in conjunction with an ever-present readiness to “reprove, rebuke, [and] exhort with all long-suffering,” continue to be necessary characteristics of those who would teach and preach the WORD (v.2). Moreover, patience and persistence are especially needed in our day when psychic predictions and fables are preferable to knowledge of the truth.

Perilous times are still with us. People are in need of an approach to life that will enable them to live meaningful and godly lives in this present age. Paul’s counsel to Timothy is applicable to all believers. Like Timothy, we are to remain steadfast in those behaviors that pertain to godliness. We are also to remain faithful to our calling in CHRIST JESUS. We can do this by the power of GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT at work in us. It is by HIS SPIRIT that we can be equipped, fully fitted, “furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:17).

We should learn another lesson from Paul’s counsel to Timothy. GOD does not reward us because we are successful, nor because we fail. GOD IS JUST, AND HE REWARDS THOSE WHO REMAIN STEADFAST AND FAITHFUL TO THE END.

Spend some time this week reviewing the extent to which you have been steadfast and faithful in sharing your faith with nonbelievers. Identify five nonbelievers in your circle of acquaintances. Pray for them. Commit to getting to know something about their needs and interests. Then be patient and persistent to take advantage of opportunities to work with them to match GOD’S unsearchable riches with their authentic needs and aspirations.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

email Dr. Lowe

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