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2Timothy Chapter Two ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1) In what way did Paul tell Timothy to be strong, what did Paul tell Timothy to entrust to reliable men, and what will these reliable men also be qualified for?
________________________________________________________________________________ How can someone be strong in grace? Grace
means undeserved favor. Just as we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9), we
should live by grace (Colossians 2:6). This means trusting completely in Christ
and his power, and not trying to live for Christ in our strength alone.
Receive and utilize Christ's power. He will give you the strength to do his
work. 2) How does Paul say to endure hardship with them, what does no one serving as a soldier get involved in, who does the soldier want to please, if anyone competes as an athlete, what does he not receive unless he completes according to the rules, who should be the first to receive a share of the crops, and why did Paul tell Timothy to reflect on what he is saying?
________________________________________________________________________________ As Timothy preached and taught, he would face
suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used a comparison with
soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to
sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up
worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train
hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be
patient. But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory,
the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering
is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to
Christ, and one day living eternally with him. 3) From where did Jesus rise, and from whom is Jesus Christ a descendent?
________________________________________________________________________________ False teachers were a problem in Ephesus (see Acts 20:29, 30; 1Timothy 1:3-11). At the heart of false teaching is an incorrect view of Christ. In Timothy's day many asserted that Christ was divine but not human-God but not man. These days we often hear that Jesus was human but not divine-man but not God. Either view destroys the good news that Jesus Christ has taken our sins on himself and has reconciled us to God. In this same verse, Paul firmly states that Jesus is fully man ("descended from David") and fully God ("raised from the dead"). This is an important doctrine for all Christians. 4) For what reason was Paul suffering even to the point of death?
________________________________________________________________________________ Paul was in chains in prison because of the gospel he preached. The truth about Jesus is no more popular in our day than in Paul's, but it still reaches receptive hearts. When Paul said that Jesus was God, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy; but many Jews became followers of Christ (1Corinthians 1:24). He angered the Romans who worshiped the emperor as god; but even some in Caesar's household turned to Jesus (Philippians 4:22). When Paul said Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks who thought divinity was soiled if it had any contact with humanity; still many Greeks accepted the faith (Acts 11:20, 21). The truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures has never been easy to understand, but it is being believed by people everyday. Despite the opposition, continue to proclaim Christ. Some will listen and believe. 5) Why did Paul say he endured everything for the sake of the elect?
________________________________________________________________________________ When Paul says "obtain the salvation," is he contradicting grace? Salvation is not something that can be earned, as Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8, 9. Paul is referring to being faithful to the end, not to a way to earn salvation. 6) If we died with Christ, what will we also do, if we endured with him, what will we also do, if we disown Christ, what will he do, and if we are faithless in Christ, why will he remain faithful?
________________________________________________________________________________ This is probably an early Christian hymn. God
is faithful to his children, and although we may suffer great hardships here,
God promises that someday we will live eternally with him. What will this
involve? It means believers will live in Christ's kingdom, and that we will
share in the administration of that kingdom. This truth comforted Paul as he
went through suffering and death. Are you facing hardships? Don't turn away from
God-he promises you a wonderful future with him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Workman Approved by God ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7) Why did Paul tell Timothy to warn the church before God against quarreling about words?
________________________________________________________________________________ Paul urged Timothy to remind the believers not to argue over unimportant details ("quarreling about words") or have foolish discussions ("godless chatter") because such arguments are confusing, useless, and even harmful. False teachers love to cause strife and divisions by their meaningless quibbling over unimportant details (see 1Timothy 6:3-5). To handle the word of truth correctly, we must study what the Word of God says so we can understand what it means. 8) In what way did Paul tell Timothy to present himself to God, and what kind of workman did Paul tell Timothy to be?
________________________________________________________________________________ Because God will examine what kind of workman we have been for him, we should build our lives on his Word and build his Word into our lives-it alone tells us how to live for him and serve him. Believers who ignore the Bible will certainly be ashamed at the judgment. Consistent and diligent study of God's Word is vital; otherwise we will be lulled into neglecting God and our true purpose for living. 9) Why does Paul say to avoid godless chatter?
________________________________________________________________________________ In important areas of Christian teaching, we must carefully work through our disagreements. But when we bicker long hours over words and theories that are not central to the Christian faith and life, we only provoke anger and hurt feelings. Even if "godless chatter" reaches a resolution, it gains little ground for the kingdom. Learning and discussing are not bad unless they keep believers constantly focusing on false doctrine or unhelpful trivialities. Don't let anything keep you from your work for and service to God. 10) How does the teachings of the ungodly spread, who did Paul say has wandered away from the truth, what does these two men say has already taken place, and what have they done to some?
________________________________________________________________________________ Hymenaeus was also mentioned in 1Timothy 1:20.
Paul had handed Hymenaeus over to Satan because his false teaching concerning
the resurrection was destroying some people's faith. 11) Nevertheless, what did Paul say stands firm, and what inscription is God's foundation sealed with?
________________________________________________________________________________ False teachers still spout lies. Some distort the truth, some dilute it, and some simply delete it by saying that God's truth no longer applies. But no matter how many people follow the liars, the solid foundation of God's truth never changes, is never shaken, and will never fade. When we follow God's truth, he will never forsake us. 12) What are some of the articles in a large house, some of gold and silver but also some of wood and clay, used for, and if a man cleanses himself from the latter, what will he be?
________________________________________________________________________________ Here Paul urged Timothy to be the kind of person Christ could use for his noblest purposes. Don't settle for less than God's highest and best. Allow God to use you as an instrument of his will. 13) What did Paul say to flee from, what does Paul say to pursue, and who does Paul say to do these with?
________________________________________________________________________________ Running away is sometimes considered cowardly. But wise people realize that removing themselves physically from temptation often can be the most courageous action to take. Timothy, a young man, was warned to flee anything that produced evil thoughts. Do you have a recurring temptation that is difficult to resist? Remove yourself physically from any situation that stimulates your desire to sin. Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight. (see also 1Timothy 6:11.) 14) Why did Paul say not to have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, what did Paul say the Lord's servant must not do, how should the Lord's servant be, why should the Lord's servant gently instruct those who oppose him, why does Paul say he hopes those who oppose him will come to their senses, and why has the devil taken them captive?
________________________________________________________________________________ As a teacher, Timothy helped those who were confused about the truth. Paul's advice to Timothy, and to all who teach God's truth, is to be kind and gentle, patiently and courteously explaining the truth. Good teaching never promotes quarrels or foolish arguments. Whether you are teaching church school, leading a Bible study, or preaching in church, remember to listen to people's questions and treat them respectfully, while avoiding foolish debates. If you do this, those who oppose you will be more willing to hear what you have to say and perhaps turn from their error. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Answers 2Timothy Chapter Two ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...the
things Timothy has heard Paul say in the presence of many witnesses...to teach
others ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Taken from the NIV Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan Publishers |