Endure Hardness – Part 2 – 2 Timothy 2:5-13

In these verses Timothy is exhorted to endure the hardships of the ministry and the Christian life, fulfilling the duties of the Christian life with courage and determination.

1. This section (Vs. 1-13): Timothy is to be strong and endure the rigors of the ministry faithfully, fulfilling the duties of the Christian life with courage and determination.
2. Outline:
   1. The Empowerment for Endurance (Vs. 1)
   2. The Examples of Endurance (Vs. 2-7)
   3. The Encouragement for Endurance (Vs. 8-13)

The Empowerment for Endurance (Vs. 1)

• 1. The Order to be Strong (Vs. 1a)
  2. The Origin of Strength (Vs. 1b)

The Examples of Endurance (Vs. 2-5)

Timothy was to endure faithfully in a number of areas. He was to be:

1. A Teacher (Vs. 2)
2. A Soldier (Vs. 3-4)
3. A Runner (Vs. 5)
   1. “strive for masteries” = to contend in the public games. Greek word is ‘athleo’ (ἀθλέω). Our English words ‘athletics’ and ‘athlete’ come from this word.
   2. “crowned” = the victors crown. In Roman times a wreath for the head usually woven of ivy, laurel, roses or oak leaves.
   3. “except he strive lawfully” = obedience to the regulations governing the contest essential. “The athlete is to adhere strictly to the prescribed rules as this alone entitles him to obtain the crown of victory, even if his striving has been sincere and sacrificial.” (Fairbairn)
   4. Challenge: The Christian athlete must run within the parameters of God’s Word in order to obtain eternal rewards. Sincerity and zeal, if not informed and governed by truth will not qualify the believer for a victor’s crown! Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22). The Bible contains plenty of examples of people who were sincere but who were punished by God for disobeying His Word – e.g. Uzza (1 Chr. 13:9-10).

A Farmer (Vs. 6)

1. ‘husbandman’ = the tiller of the soil
2. ‘laboureth’ = toils to the point of weariness
3. “first partaker of the fruits” = he first partakes somewhat like the ox that treadeth out the corn (1 Tim. 5:18). He has first right to the fruits of his labour (1 Cor. 9:7). “Those who endure hardship and sacrifice for God’s work, enjoy blessings that others know not.” (Fairbairn)

The Encouragement for Endurance (Vs. 6-13)

Meditation on the Word (Vs. 7)

In this verse we have the twofold process for understanding the Word – the human & the Divine.

1. “consider what I say” = the human side. We are to diligently think and ponder upon the Word of God (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1). This is not an Eastern form of meditation where an attempt is made to disengage and “clear” the mind. Rather, it is the mind being exercised upon the truth. Note: Christian meditation is largely a forgotten art in our day of digital saturation.
2. “the Lord give thee understanding” = the Divine side. As we are diligent to exercise our minds upon the truth, God illuminates us, giving us understanding and insight (1 John 2:27)
3. Note: This dispels the notion that we do not need to diligently study the Word of God.

The Memory of Christ’s Resurrection (Vs. 8)

1. “seed of David” = reminder of Christ’s Messianic credentials. He was the promised One who came of the line of David
2. “raised from the dead” = remembering that he served a risen Saviour would help fill Timothy’s heart with courage to face the battles. “The vision of a risen Lord is held up before Timothy.” (Hiebert)
3. “my Gospel” = the Gospel revealed to the Apostle Paul and passed on to Timothy

The Mentor Paul (Vs. 9-10)

1. The details of Paul’s sufferings (Vs. 9)
   1. ‘wherein’ = the Gospel mentioned in previous verse
   2. “suffer trouble” = endure hardness/affliction (2:3; 4:5). Paul points to himself as an example of endurance to encourage Timothy. Being a humble servant of the Gospel can get you into a lot of trouble!
   3. ‘evil doer’ = malefactor. Same word used to describe the criminals crucified alongside the Lord Jesus (Luke 23). Paul is suffering the shame and disgrace of a common, condemned criminal.
   4. “even unto bonds” = the extent of his sufferings. He was imprisoned and chained.
   5. “but the Word of God is not bound” = God’s messengers can be chained and imprisoned but the Word of God is unstoppable! It is a sharp two-edged sword, a burning fire and a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces (Heb. 4:12; Jer. 23:29).
2. The purpose of Paul’s sufferings (Vs. 10)
   1. “therefore” = on the basis of the fact that God’s Word cannot be bound
   2. “I endure all things” = Paul exemplified what he required of Timothy in Vs. 3
   3. “for the elect’s sakes” = the salvation of precious souls was what helped Paul to keep on enduring the hardships of the Gospel ministry. Paul knew there was a purpose to his sufferings.

The Motivation of Rewards (Vs. 11-13)

1. We will live with Christ (Vs. 11)
   1. “It is a faithful saying” = a key statement in the pastoral Epistles. Means that what is about to be said is trustworthy and reliable.
   2. “if we be dead with him” = lit. “if we died with him”. Reference to our union with Christ in His death through salvation.
   3. “we shall also live with him” = we will share in His resurrection power and life
2. We will reign with Christ (Vs. 12a)
   1. “if we suffer” = patiently undergo trials and hardships with him in his cause and service
   2. “reign with him” = we will reign with Christ
3. We can lose rewards (Vs. 12b)
   1. “if we deny him” = if we are ashamed of Christ in this life, He will be ashamed of us when we see him.
   2. “he also will deny us”
      1. Matt. 10:33 “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
      2. Mark 8:38 “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
4. We can rest in God’s faithfulness (Vs. 13)
   1. “if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful” = Christ remains faithful to us even when we are unfaithful to him at times
   2. “he cannot deny himself” = God cannot be unfaithful as it would go against His character

Conclusion

Are we being reliable, dedicated & faithful servants of the Lord? Are we living in obedience to God’s Word?

Sermon 5 of 13 in 2 Timothy Series

Sermon Audio Id: 7718194132