2 Timothy 2 - What Do Good Soldiers, Athletes, and Farmers Have in Common?

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The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Paul tells Timothy to be "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus". Though grace is a gift we receive by faith and it saves us, it doesn't end there. We cling to God's grace in Christ, and "live in it". Our strength comes from God's grace, as we rely on the Holy Spirit, which is the greatest gift of grace. 

Paul isn't asking Timothy to do the whole job of spreading the gospel by himself. Like Paul did with him, he wants Timothy to train other "reliable" people to work with him to teach others. Too many pastors try to do it all on their own. I can speak from experience. Pastors are called to equip others for the work of ministry. Many churches stay small because the pastor or other leaders are doing all the work. 

It's like a football game, "22 men are on the field badly in need of a break, while all the fans in the stands are badly in need of exercise". Some of this is related to pride and some laziness. It is sometimes easier to do something yourself rather than taking the time to equip someone else. 

Paul then uses the analogies of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer to illustrate what this means. The bottom line in all three analogies is they will not get results unless they work hard. An athlete doesn't win by sitting at home. A farmer get a crop unless he works the field and plant. A soldier doesn't get distracted by civilian life but has one goal to please his CO. 

Though God has given us grace, we are not to receive it in vain. We are to use God's grace in all of the forms he has given to us to work out our salvation and live a life worthy of our calling. One day we will be rewarded for being faithful. 

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Living a life worthy of our calling might also involve suffering, as it did for Paul. Paul needed grace to endure suffering as he was chained like a criminal. Paul worried less about himself, but said he endured suffering for the sake of the elect. Meaning his example would not only lead people to Christ but also encourage them of Paul's sincere faith even when things were extremely bad in his life. 

It is easier to be an example for Christ when everything is going good, but our witness is magnified when we have to pick up our own cross to show that even when suffer we still believe. But even when we lack faith, Jesus is faithful. "He who began a good work in us witll be faithful to complete it." Philippians 1:6 Even when we suffer Jesus lives and works through us, perhaps even more so. 

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Many times in churches there are quarrels over words and things that are very difficult to interpret in the bible. Sometimes there are no black and white answers to some issues, and we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to discern what is the right thing to do. But sometimes people pridefully use these issues to exalt themselves over others causing great harm to the church. 

Most importantly we take teaching from scripture which is easy to translate (which is 95% of the scripture) and live accordingly. The Ten Commandments are a good place to start. Even better do the things Jesus did on this earth. Treat people like he treated them, and obey the Father like he did. These marching orders have little room for division or arguing over words.  

Paul also addresses what I would call "gossip", which he calls "godless chatter".  In addition to gossip there was outright false teaching being given. Paul mentions one specific false teaching which was those who taught the resurrection had already happened. This was not referring to the resurrection of Jesus, but the resurrection of the dead. I.e. The second coming of Christ. Regardless, though some in the church were false teachers, one day they will be accountable to the Lord for their teaching. The bible gives harsh penalties for those who lead God's children away by false teaching. 

Paul summarizes this when he said in his first lettter to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, "Watch your life and teaching closely". 

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Paul continues by teaching Timothy that in any large house (he is referring to the church here) there are different articles. He uses the example of gold and silver and wood and clay. Gold and silver are for special purposes, and wood and clay for common use. 

As believers we have been set apart for God's special work to do in and through the church. He has given us the Holy Spirit, which sets us apart from the world and "sanctifies us" (makes us holy) until the day we die. As we allow God to do his work in and through us, He has also given us spiritual gifts to build the church. The works we do using these gifts are like the gold and silver articles in the house. 

When the fire of judgment and destruction comes in the last days, those works will survive because they are like precious metals, which have been refined in the fire. But the things we do in our own strength and often from selfish motives will be like the wood and the clay, which will be consumed by the fire. They will be "up in smoke"!

Are you more like the gold and silver, or the wood and clay? God has set you apart for a special purpose in your church? Have you found it? Are you serving God and Jesus by using your spiritual gift to help your church grow and reach more people for Christ? 

As Paul gave this advice and teaching to young Timothy, he also gives it to us!