2 Timothy 1:5-7 Oh Timothy, Be Bold

2 Timothy 1:5-7
5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.


One thing that we as Christians lack is boldness of faith. All too often I find myself backing down or not stepping up to the plate and going to bat for Christ. This is not an uncommon problem. Paul knows it and he knows Timothy will experience situations that we all might. People can poke fun, maybe even persecute us. Jokes will be made, mocking may happen. Regardless of these things Paul reminds us to be bold. The solution of boldness is to keep Christ at the forefront of our mind. Paul knows Timothy has saving faith, he is sure of it. However the flame of continual faith can flicker. We all go through times where our faith doesnt seem as strong as it ought. Paul says that we must fan into flame the gift of God. In this case I believe the gift of God is not Timothy's salvation but his gift of teaching. Timothy had been left in charge of the Church at Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3). He was to teach the church properly and acurately. No doubt he had come across many who didnt want to hear the truth. So Paul reminds him to fan into flame the gift (teaching). Meaning keep teaching, make it your passion, do it with all your might!! Why? How can he do this in the face of such opposition. Because God didnt give us a spirit of fear (or timidity) but of power and love and self control. How does power, love, and self control promote boldness. I think power shows "I have the answer, I know the truth." Things can change. I hold the most powerful thing in the world, God's word. Love I think emboldens because it shows what is at stake if Timothy becomes timid. Many will be lost. More will be handed over to Satan. Souls are at stake. The same is true with us. If we would let love rule in us we wouldnt worry about ourselves because the love for others would outweigh any negative thing that might befall us. Finally, self control. Self control was tough for me to see how that affected our ability to be bold. I think it works like this. I have the ability to not be concerned about my physical-well being. While the world thinks only of oneself, how to survive, get ahead, escape pain, We have the control to not give into that desire. We are self-controlled (by the spirit) to not give into carnal desires. Therefore my boldness is strengthened because I dont have to give into my sinful wants. I can resist them and turn toward Christ.

Boldness isnt just for Timothy, and it is more radical than we have seen, but we will soon see the extend that God wants us to take this. Being a Christian might cost us our lives. Will we do it?

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2nd Timothy 1:3-4 (Pt 1) - The Joy of Comforting Others

This is my second post in a series on the book of 2nd Timothy. This is part one of this passage review, we will look at the other themes and ideas in these verses in my next entry. I will be more diligent to add to this several times a week.

2nd Timothy 3:1-4

3I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.


As I look at my own life and the life of others I notice that we are a people whose happiness lies in everything other than what it should. We are continually guaging our joy and happiness by many wordly standards. We look to money, jobs, success and entertainment to provide us with the joy that we lack. The Apostle Paul was a very different person. He didnt look to the world to satisfy his vacancies. He didnt need an abundance of things. Paul says in Philippians 4:11-14 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Paul didnt latch on to wealth or health or even his own life to be happy. There were other deeper more precious things that brought him joy.

Paul knows that life in the ministry is hard, life as christian, infact this whole letter is designed to encourage Timothy in his faith. And Paul knows that the christian life is not without tears. There are many who would say outherwise. There are many "types" of Christianity that are all about escaping the pain. Christianity is all about loving through the pain and enduring it. Romans 8:35-39 ; 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. . Point of that verse is being a christian means enduring through those things not escaping them. This is a life of pain and suffering, infact Hebrews says those who suffer much, the world is not worthy of them. Many these days would say Christ delivers us from all pain and suffering and poverty. That is not in the bible.

Paul knows Timothy cries. He has seen Timothy weep, probably over lost souls and a diffucult ministry. Paul longs to see him. I think Paul wants to see him so that he can put his arm around Timothy and say "Psalm 126:6 He who goes out weeping,bearing the seed for sowing,shall come home with shouts of joy,bringing his sheaves with him. or maybe even Psalm 30:5 Weeping may tarry for the night,but joy comes with the morning. Remember Timothy is like a son to Paul. Paul doesnt want Timothy to feel sad, he loves him dearly. Paul wants to be with him in his time of need. And to do this will bring Paul much joy. There is great joy in the comforting of others.

Let us rejoice in the ability to comfort others and help them when they need it. Satisfication is offered by many things but only a few things yield. Let us pour our lives out for the comforting of others.

A New Series on 2nd Timothy

2 Timothy 1:1-2
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved child:

I have decided to start a series exploring the book of 2nd Timothy. I chose this book after reading The Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney. There was a small quote from 2nd Timothy and it made me want to read more.
This first entry will be slightly different than the ones to follow as it will cover more background and historical introduciton. I will be using the English Standard Version in my exposition.

Background

This is Paul's final letter before his impending death at Rome. Paul himself knows that his final days are at hand. He says in 4:6 "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, the time of my departure has come,." Paul is about to die and he knows it. That make this a very special book to me because it is the final words of a dying man. What needs to be said when death is near? What instructions should be given, what reminders should one give before they die, one exhortations need to be made?. Paul's final letter is one to his beloved child in the faith (1:2), Timothy. Paul had been deserted by all, Demas had left him (4:9), Titus had gone, only Luke remained. Even after so much abondonment Paul knew he could trust and rely on Timothy. And so Paul will pour out his heart to Timothy to encourage him, strenghten him and to help him remain steadfast in the faith. Indeed Paul will help us all do that in a very personal way.

Introduction 1:1-2

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Apostle Paul opens his book with and introduction, standard for his writtings. One thing that stands forth in all of Paul's introductions is his insistance that his Apostleship, even his very salvation is because of the direct will of God. 1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. John 11:12-13 says; But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. It was God's will that saved Paul. But Paul does not say that God's will saved him and poof he was saved. The salvation came through Jesus Christ, in whom enternal life had been promised to all who would believe.

I think verse 1 says two very precious about salvation. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 1.) It is Sovereign (this wont be addressed much here) 2.)There is a promise surrounding it. John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. There is a promise of the life in Christ Jesus, namly a new spiritual life, but it is also never apart from the will of God. Those two things go hand in hand. This it is written to Timothy, his "beloved child" Paul cares for Timothy dearly; he considers him a son.

Application

Be amazed that salvation is by God's will alone. And thank him for it.

Heed the word of this book. Paul is not a man, not just a teacher. But one who has been called and given authority for God himself. These words are not his , they are Gods.

Read it as a child. Hear the loving words of instruction and enouragement. Take it in as parently advice and remember it is out of love tough words come. Let it guide you as your own parents words have and if it is painful it is for your good (Heb 12) .