Explore the Bible: Be loyal

• The Explore the Bible lesson for April 14 focuses on 2 Timothy 1:3-18.

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• The Explore the Bible lesson for April 14 focuses on 2 Timothy 1:3-18.

As we begin a new unit about the second letter to Timothy, it is important discuss a few background details. Many scholars believe 2 Timothy is the latest of the pastoral epistles and possibly is a farewell letter by the apostle.

The text indicates Paul sends it from prison, although it is somewhat unclear whether the imprisonment occurred in Rome or elsewhere. Throughout the letter, the depth of the relationship between the sender and recipient is hard to miss. Early in this letter, Paul will describe himself as “a herald and an apostle and a teacher” (v. 12). These roles often are separated in our context, yet Paul does not hesitate to embrace all three as he understands himself to be sent by God to proclaim God’s message and teach God’s people.

The opening section of the letter gives thanks for Timothy’s faithfulness (his “sincere faith”), but notes the habits of his life were cultivated much earlier, by the direction of his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (v. 5). This is significant for two reasons. First, these are women who have played a major role in Timothy’s life, a class of people often ignored in first-century society. In our context, it is easy to take for granted that many wise and faithful men and women within the church worked hard to form us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Timothy is instructed to remember those who taught him.

Jewish heritage

Second, the faith that dwelled in Eunice and Lois presumably is a Jewish faith, highlighting the link between Jewish heritage and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This should remind us of the ways in which the gospel extends from the Jewish story of creation and covenant. Further, this faith is not something inculcated and developed only at home; it was encouraged by the apostle through the church as well (v.6). Therefore, it is important for us to raise children in the Christian faith, but we also need to take seriously the fact that the entire church participates in that development. In this way, one’s children belong to the church as everyone—ministers, teachers, friends—shares in bringing them up in the faith.

Timothy receives more encouraging words in this passage, urging him to receive a spirit of power, love and self-discipline, not a spirit of timidity (v. 7). This spirit is a gift, and like all gifts from God, it is not earned. Nonetheless, it is necessary to hone and develop this gift—“fan into flame”—so it can be used to further God’s kingdom. Notice also how the three aspects are mentioned together, indicating they work together. The opposite of timidity is not boastfulness or dictatorial decision-making. Instead, good leadership consists of power shaped by love and self-discipline. Thus, this spirit of power, love, and self-discipline should guide Timothy as he discerns God’s will in his specific context.

Not ashamed

The word “ashamed” appears three times in this passage, and it is negated each time—“not ashamed.” This establishes an important theme within this letter. At times, Paul uses the word to describe people who have not been ashamed of him or the results of his ministry, which may have included physical suffering of some sort (v. 8). Along these lines, notice the statement: “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me” (v. 15). In other words, they are ashamed of him.


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Because of this, Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of him or the gospel, like Onesiphorus, who “searched hard” for Paul and “refreshed” him when he found him (vv. 16-17). Not being ashamed of the gospel is supplemented by a declaration of God’s faithfulness, using a phrase quoted in the prominent hymn: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto him against that day.”

One final topic in this passage, one that was important to 1 Timothy as well, is sound teaching. Sound teaching is not about having the right ideas. Here, it is joined with “faith and love in Christ Jesus” (v. 13). Moreover, it is described as a “good deposit” (v. 14).

Many interpreters are less appreciative of this phrase, viewing it as a reference to the Christian faith as a thing, such as valuable jewelry that is kept in a safe where no one can see it or harm it. Instead, this “deposit of faith” refers to the fullness of Christ’s revelation, including its life within the church. Moreover, we see this deposit at work in Scripture and, like Timothy, in the flesh-and-blood members of the church (v. 13). Therefore, when it comes to this “deposit of faith,” we should embrace it, guard it and share it with others.

 


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