The waving grass is mowed—the lovely flower is laid low—the fruitful stem is broken—that which was beautiful, fragrant, and precious is cut down—the fairest first to fade, the loveliest first to die, the fondest first to depart; then, when the mercy is gone, and the spirit is bowed, when the heart is broken, the mind is dejected, and the world seems clad in wintry desolation and gloom, the Holy Spirit, in all the softening, reviving, comforting, and refreshing influence of His grace, descends, speaks of the beauty of Jesus, leads to the grace of Jesus, lifts the bowed soul, and reposes it on the bosom of Jesus.
Does some heavy trial now bow you in the dust? Oh never, perhaps, were you so truly beautiful—never did your grace send forth such fragrance, or your prayers ascend with so sweet an odor—never did faith, and hope, and love develop their hidden glories so richly, so fully as now! In the eye of a wounded, a bruised, and a humbled Christ, you were never more lovely, and to His heart never more precious than now—pierced by His hand, smitten by His rod, humbled by His chastisement, laid low at His feet, condemning yourself, justifying Him, taking to yourself all the shame, and ascribing to Him all the glory.
Timothy is being warned against a cankerous error that had overthrown the faith of some; but no amount of error can alter the "foundation of God. This is not true of any other religion under Heaven. Multitudes bow to dead prophets and false gods, but the worshipers are individually unknown by the objects of their adoration. This "great house" doubtless refers to the "Church of God" 1 Timothy 3: Which is the biggest and most self-evident concern in the world, because it is the strongest, built on Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of Eternal Truth. It is great, because it is occupied by a great tenant, the Holy Spirit, who is through Christ's Body, the Church, seeking to fulfill the great purpose of God in the salvation of men.
It is a great house, has been a-building for over years, and is still being "added to". In every great house there are vessels of different value and design, suited for all useful purposes. Some to honor and some for common use. Those of gold and silver get the position of honor, because of their more perfect character and special fitness for the higher and more conspicuous service. Those servants who may be classed with the "wood and earthenware" types may be just as useful in their own sphere as their more honored brethren.
The gold and silver vessels are not looked for in the lowly but indispensable work of the kitchen. God's servants have all their own place in the great house of God. Some prophets, some apostles, some pastors, some teachers, some evangelists, and some who may be the "wood and earthenware," who are taken no special notice of, but who are waiting and ready to be used for anything that the Master appoints. These vessels, though different in character, all belong to the same great house, and owned by the same Master, and are all needed for the one purpose, the fulfilling of their Lord's will.
All have not the same gifts and qualifications, but all are partakers of the same grace. There is no occasion for envy or jealousy. Each one might say: But the alchemy of Divine grace is suggested here. It is possible for a common vessel to be transformed into a vessel of honor. This joyful testimony was written by Paul the prisoner, while lying in a dungeon at Rome, waiting the hour of his doom. He had "Fought a good fight" v. He had gone through a glorious contest. He had fought "the good fight of faith" against all the principalities and powers of evil, seen and unseen.
It was a good fight, because it was for the goodness he had discovered in his God and Savior. He had "finished his course. The track Divinely ordained for this runner had many obstacles, which proved hard for flesh and blood. It is ours "to run in the way of His commandments;" it is His to help us to finish. He had "kept the faith.
If any man "preach any other Gospel let him be accursed" Galatians 1: He was ready, like ripe fruit, to fall into the hand of Him to whom he belonged. Death to him had no sting or terrors; to him the grave had no victory. To depart was to be "with Christ, which is far better" Philippians 1: You have redeemed me, O Lord.
Into Your hands I commit my spirit. I thatched my house in calm weather. The crown of righteousness is the reward that is kept for and bestowed upon those who have lived the righteous, God-pleasing life. It is not only for an apostle, but for "all them that love His appearing. This faith in, and this looking for, the Coming of the Lord is no vain and fruitless imagination, but a holy incentive to a righteous life. The Second Coming of Christ is the enlightened believer's perennial expectation and the world's only hope of deliverance Romans Among older works it is not as helpful as Bernard and Huther, however.
If you are not familiar with the great saint Charles Simeon see Dr John Piper's discussion of Simeon's life - you will want to read Simeon's sermons after meeting him! These sermons are from the series on 2 Timothy but they are very difficult to follow by chapter and verse For example beginning at about 2 Timothy 2: The best commentary on Scripture is Scripture Compare Scripture with Scripture and these cross references compiled by Torrey are the most comprehensive work of this type with over , entries.
However, always check the context Keep Context King to make sure that the cross reference is referring to the same subject as the original Scripture. The Puritan writer Thomas Watson said it this way - "The Scripture is to be its own interpreter or rather the Spirit speaking in it; nothing can cut the diamond but the diamond; nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture. See also Use of Cross-References. Before you "go to the commentaries" go to the Scriptures and study them inductively Click 3 part overview of how to do Inductive Bible Study in dependence on your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, Who Jesus promised would guide us into all the truth John Remember that Scripture is always the best commentary on Scripture.
Therefore the inclusion of specific links does not indicate that we agree with every comment. We have made a sincere effort to select only the most conservative, " bibliocentric " commentaries. Should you discover some commentary or sermon you feel may not be orthodox, please email your concern. I have removed several links in response to concerns by discerning readers. I recommend that your priority be a steady intake of solid Biblical food so that with practice you will have your spiritual senses trained to discern good from evil Heb 5: Frequent Use of Illustrations.
Fan the Flame 2 Timothy 1: What Has God Given You? Moms Who Mold 2 Timothy 1: Will Your Circle Be Unbroken? Who Will Pass It On? The Disciplined Christian Life 2 Timotny 2: Dispensationalism 2 Timothy 2: Our Charge 2 Timothy 4: The Charge 2 Timothy 4: Mormonism 2 Timothy 4: A Mother's Struggle 2 Timothy 4: Will You Finish Well? General 2 Timothy 1 2 Timothy 1: Live Honestly 2 Timothy 1: Heirlooms 2 Timothy 1: Reason Enough 2 Timothy 1: Mothers Who Pray 2 Timothy 1: For Future Generations 2 Timothy 1: A Letter From Dad 2 Timothy 1: Playing It Safe 2 Timothy 1: Amani 2 Timothy 1: Live It 2 Timothy 1: People of Courage 2 Timothy 1: Caught And Cleaned 2 Timothy 1: Christ's empty tomb 2 Timothy 1: Unlimited Power 2 Timothy 1: I Know Him 2 Timothy 1: What You Don't Know 2 Timothy 1: The Next Planting 2 Timothy 2: An Attached Fuel Hose 2 Timothy 2: Example That Encourages 2 Timothy 2: Chinese Proverbs 2 Timothy 2: An Unbroken Chain 2 Timothy 2: The Value of One 2 Timothy 2: Becoming A Mentor 2 Timothy 2: Is Faith An Escape?
Locked In 2 Timothy 2: The Danger of Denial 2 Timothy 2: A Consistent Father 2 Timothy 2: The Danger Of Denial 2 Timothy 2: Rightly Dividing The Word 2 Timothy 2: He Knows Me 2 Timothy 2: Ice-Cream Man 2 Timothy 2: The Fatal First Step 2 Timothy 2: A Sense Of Dread 2 Timothy 2: Swimming With Sharks 2 Timothy 2: Strong—And Gentle 2 Timothy 2: Strong--And Gentle 2 Timothy 2: The Truth About Truth 2 Timothy 3: Spelling Problems 2 Timothy 3: Childhood Beginnings 2 Timothy 3: Homemade Religion 2 Timothy 3: Godly Grandmothers 2 Timothy 3: Let's Read It 2 Timothy 3: Eye Contact 2 Timothy 3: A Heart For God 2 Timothy 3: Read All Of It 2 Timothy 3: James' Idea 2 Timothy 3: Lambs May Wade 2 Timothy 3: Profitable Reading 2 Timothy 3: God's Tool Kit 2 Timothy 3: Book Friends 2 Timothy 4: A Last Farewell 2 Timothy 4: Finishing the Race 2 Timothy 4: Ready to Go Home 2 Timothy 4: Finishing Well 2 Timothy 4: Your Biography 2 Timothy 4: Finishers 2 Timothy 4: Win Or Lose 2 Timothy 4: A Worthy Effort 2 Timothy 4: Living For Eternity 2 Timothy 4: Christ Living In Us 2 Timothy 4: The Umpire 2 Timothy 4: The Promised Prize 2 Timothy 4: What Matters Most 2 Timothy 4: The Place of Preaching in Worship 2 Timothy 3: Preach the Word 2 Timothy 3: I Have Kept the Faith 2 Timothy 4: Jannes and Jambres 2 Timothy 3: Renewing Your Passion 2 Timothy 1: How Will You Be Remembered?
The Life God Blesses 2 Timothy 3: Perilous Times 2 Timothy 3: The Bible and Only the Bible 2 Timothy 3: Rightly Divide the Word. Difficult Times Will Come. Foundation of Christian Service. Pictures of Christian Servant. Dangerous Times for Christian Servant. Commission of Christian Servant. Unashamed as a Witness: Unashamed as a Workman: Suffer for the Gospel. Adequate as a Workman: Continue in the Gospel. Awarded as a Workman: Proclamation of the Gospel.
Exhortations to Fulfill Ministry.
Get A Copy
The Promise of Life. Life Shaped by the Will of God. Mercy and Grace Essential to True Peace. Ministerial Relation with Christ. The Apostle's Address and Greeting. The Dignity of Preachers. The Universal Need of Mercy. The Unwavering Certainty of St. The Useful to be Chiefly Instructed.
Through Death to Life. Timothy, the Pious Youth. Conscience a Delicate Creature. Conscience has a Joint Knowledge of Life. Conscience Hurt by Sin. Conscience in a Christian. Conscience Looking Upon Life. Friendly Love Outwardly Manifested.
Study Guide for 2 Timothy 1 by David Guzik
Paul's Delight in Timothy. Strength Required for Religious Service. The Inner Life of St. The Spirit of True Service. True and False Service. The Coming of an Absent Friend. The Faithful Found in Companies. The Power of Tears. Things of Like Nature Desire Union. Children to be Taught Young. Faith the Chief Thing. Memories of a Mother. The Day of Christian Faith. The Secret of a Good Mother's Influence. The Worth of Faith.
A Neglected Gift Enkindled. Paul's Appeal to St. Our Gifts, and How to Use Them. Private Helps to Stir Up Grace. Paul's Concern About St. The Latent Spiritual Force in Man. The Nemesis of Neglected Gifts. The Ordinances of God are not Without Profit. The Stirred Up Will. Watching the Heart Flame. A Sound Mind not Easily Attained. Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times. What it is not and What it Is. Energy Within Right Limits. Latent Power in Churches. Love Casting Out Fear. On Soundness of Mind in Religion.
Power in the Christian. Sinful Fear of God. The Great Purpose of Christianity. The Spirit of Discipline. The Spiritual Endowment of the Christian Church. According to the Power of God. Definition of a Friend. Not Ashamed of Christianity. Power of Personal Testimony. Warning to Timothy not to be Ashamed of the Gospel.
Christianity a Holy Religion. Effectual Calling, with its Fruits. God's Plan for Man's Salvation. Grace and Free Will. Grace Does not Lightly Esteem. Salvation Altogether by Grace. The Sovereign Grace of God. A Great May Be. Death Abolished -- Life Brought to Light.
Death of None Effect. Immortality Brought to Light. Immortality Brought to Light by the Gospel. Immortality is the Glorious Discovery of Christianity. Life and Immortality Brought to Light. Life and Immortality Brought to Light by the Gospel. Life and Immortality Revealed in the Gospel. Life Enlarged by Death.
Follow the Author
Living in the Days of Christ's Appearing. Now Open Your Eyes. The Argument for Immortality. The Christian View of Death. The Death of Death. The Lighted Valley of Death. The Reasonableness of Life. Not to Cavil with the Preacher. The Preacher a Crier. Acquaintance with Christ the Christian's Strength. Assured Security in Christ. Character Entrusted to God.
Faith a Personal Relation to Christ. God a Good Keeper. Grounds of Confidence in the Saviour's Ability. I Know Whom I have Believed. Knowledge Conducive of Assurance. Nothing Between the Soul and its Saviour. Nothing to Hold By. The Believer's Confidence in the Prospect of Eternity. The Certainty of Salvation. The Christian's Confidence in Christ. The Confidence of St. The Folly of not Trusting Christ.
The Foundation of the Christian's Hope. The Grounds of the Believer's Confidence. The Internal Evidence of Experience. The Safety of Believers. The Soul Entrusted to Christ. The Use and Abuse of Dogma.
Trust in Christ Supported by Cumulative Evidence. Faith in the Minister. Importance of the Form of Sound Words. To Timothy, a beloved son: I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
Paul is thinking much about his spiritual family - about Timothy, a beloved son ; and about his true forefathers , those Jews before Paul's time that genuinely followed God with a pure heart, not in the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. Grace, mercy, and peace: Spurgeon used this verse, along with 1 Timothy 1: After all, in the beginning to his letters to churches in general, Paul only says grace and peace in his greeting Romans 1: But when he starts writing the pastors - Timothy and Titus - he is compelled to say grace, mercy, and peace to him!
Although everybody needs mercy, ministers need it more than anybody else; and so we do, for if we are not faithful, we shall be greater sinners even than our hearers, and it needs much grace for us always to be faithful, and much mercy will be required to cover our shortcomings. So I shall take those three things to myself: Without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day: Timothy was on Paul's "prayer list.
Prayers night and day also shows us how much Paul prayed: Whenever it was night or whenever it was day! Of course, one might say this was easy for Paul, since he was in prison; but such prayer is never easy. Yet, we admire Paul for having a heart to do the most for the Lord that he can where ever he is.
So he can't preach? He can pray, and that he will do. Mindful of your tears: Perhaps the tears Paul remembered were the tears Timothy shed at his last parting with Paul. Filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you: What made Paul really happy? To remember the faith of faithful men like Timothy, who were loving and serving the Lord. Which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice: Timothy's genuine faith was due, in no small measure, to his godly upbringing and the influence of his grandmother and mother.
Timothy and his family came from the ancient city of Lystra, where Paul visited on his first missionary journey. When Paul and Barnabas were there, God used Paul to miraculously heal a crippled man - and the people of the city began to praise Paul and Barnabas as Greek gods from Olympus, and started to sacrifice a bull to them! Paul barely restrained them from doing so, and soon enemies of the gospel had turned the crowd against Paul, so they cast Paul out of the city and stoned him.
But God miraculously preserved Paul's life, and he carried on Acts On Paul's second missionary journey, he came again to Lystra - and there met a young man who had come to Jesus, and was devoted to serving the Lord. This young man was Timothy, and he is described as having a mother who believed, but his father was Greek. So, Timothy's mother and grandmother were believers, but his father was not at least not at first. In the Roman world, fathers had absolute authority over the family, and since Timothy's father was not a Christian, his home situation was less than ideal though not necessarily terrible.
But his mother and grandmother either led him to Jesus or grounded him in the faith! God wants to use parents and grandparents to pass on an eternal legacy to their children and grandchildren! When Paul left Lystra, he took Timothy with him - and this began a mentor-learner relationship that touched the whole world. I am persuaded is in you also: It wasn't enough that this genuine faith was in Timothy's grandmother and mother; it had to be in Timothy also.
Our children, once of age to be accountable before God, must have their own relationship with Jesus Christ. Mom and dad's relationship with God will not then bring eternal life. The phrase genuine faith could be literally translated, "unhypocritical faith" - that is, faith that is not an act. It was for real. Is your faith in God just an act, or is it for real? The whole book of James is about having a real faith.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Timothy was gifted, valuable man for the kingdom of God; but he seems to have had a timid streak in him, which required Paul to often encourage him to be strong and bold. These passages suggest Timothy was a man who tended to be timid, and who didn't like to confront people or want to alienate others with a strong stand on the issues.
If we were to meet Timothy, we would probably be impressed by his great warmth and love, but it would be a love that tended to be a little "squishy" - love that might accommodate what is wrong and harmful just so no one's feelings were hurt. On the other hand, we get the feeling Paul was a man of deep love, but also a man who never shied away from confrontation - anyone who would publicly rebuke the Apostle Peter was a man who could confront! Timothy already has a shepherd's tender heart for the sheep; Paul wants to develop within him the boldness necessary to really lead and protect the flock.
Going through 1 and 2 Timothy, you will find no less than 25 different places where Paul encourages Timothy to be bold, to not shy away from confrontation, to stand up where he needs to stand up and be strong. This was something that Timothy, being the kind of person he was, needed to hear! People are at all different places. For some, the last thing they need to hear is, "You've got to be more bold! But many others come from the place where they need to hear, " Stir up the gift of God which is in you ; be bold, get going, go for it! Some who appear bold really are just full of bluster; they use a confrontational, in-your-face attitude to mask a lot of pain and insecurity.
They need to become really bold and secure in the Lord, instead of full of bluster. Timothy can't be passive, and just let it all happen; he needs to be bold and to stir up the gift of God which is in you. God may have gifted a person, but just because someone has certain gifts does not mean that they are being used for His glory and Kingdom. Many gifts need to be stirred up! This reminds us that God does not work His gifts through us as if we were robots; even when He gives a man or a woman gifts, He leaves an element that needs the cooperation of their will, of their desire and drive, to fulfill the purpose of His gifts.
Some are waiting passively for God to use them; but God is waiting for them to stir up the gifts that are within them!
2 Timothy 1 Bible Commentary
Some are waiting for some dramatic new anointing from God, and God is waiting for them to stir up what He has already given! Stir up has the idea of stirring up a fire to keep it burning bright and strong; a fire left to itself will always burn out, but God wants us to keep our gifts burning strong for Him. There is no necessary suggestion, therefore, that Timothy had lost his early fire, although undoubtedly, like every Christian, he needed an incentive to keep the fire burning at full flame.
Which is in you through the laying on of my hands: God used the laying on of hands to communicate spiritual gifts to Timothy. This is not the only way God gives gifts, but it is a common way - and means we should never neglect. Have you had someone lay hands on you and pray God would grant you gifts to build up the family of God? There may have been others. God has given him a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Paul sees the timidity that is in Timothy; Timothy knows the fear he sometimes feels.
God wants Timothy to know that this fear isn't from the Lord; God has not given us a spirit of fear. We all face situations where we feel timid and afraid; for some, speaking in front of others makes them fear; others are afraid of confrontation, others of being made to look foolish, others are afraid of rejection. We all deal with fear. The first step in dealing with such fears is to understand that they are not from God! To be able to say, "This isn't God making me feel like this! God hasn't given me this!
The second step in dealing with such fears is understanding what God has given us: God has given us a spirit of power: When we are doing His work, proclaiming His word, representing His kingdom, we have all His power backing us. We are safe in His hands.
God has given us a spirit of love: This tells us a lot about the power He has given us. Many think of power in terms of how much we can control others; but Jesus' power is expressed in how much we can love and serve others. Remember Jesus, on the night before the cross, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands - what did He do with all that power? He humbly washed His disciples' feet!
God has given us a sound mind: The Greek word here has the idea of a calm, self-controlled mind, in contrast to the panic and confusion that rushes in on us when we are in a fearful situation. We don't need to accept what God has not given us a spirit of fear , and we need to humbly receive and walk in what He has given us a spirit … of power and of love and of a sound mind. Boldness matters; without it, we can't fulfill God's purpose for our lives.
God's purpose for you is more than making money, being entertained, and being comfortable; it is for you to use the gifts He has given you to touch His people and help a needy world. Fear and timidity will keep you from using the gifts God has given you to touch His people and a needy world. God wants you to take His power, His love, and His calm thinking and overcome fear to be used of Him with all the gifts He has given you. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.
Paul has just told Timothy about the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, with courage, that is the birthright of every believer in Jesus Christ - now, Paul will tell Timothy how to let what God has given him guide his thinking. If Timothy will take the courage God will give, he will not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.
We often fail to understand that it wasn't easy to follow a crucified Master. Today, we have sanitized Jesus, and disinfected the cross, making it all "safe. Think of Jesus' teaching; if you want to be great, be the servant of all; be like a child, like a slave, like the younger, like the last instead of the first.
This is a testimony some would be ashamed of! Paul knew that the plan of God in Jesus Christ seemed foolish to many; but he also knew it was the living, active, power of God to save souls and transform lives. Paul would not be ashamed of it, and neither should Timothy - or we! If Timothy will take the courage God will give, he will not be ashamed of Paul nor of me His prisoner - it wasn't easy to support an imprisoned apostle.
Nor of me His prisoner: Paul sees himself not as the prisoner of Rome, but as a prisoner of God. Paul can see God as the Lord of every circumstance, and if he is free, he is the Lord's free man, if he is imprisoned, he is the Lord's prisoner. But share with me: It isn't enough that Paul tells Timothy to not be ashamed of him and his chains; he invites Timothy to share in it all! How can we share … in the sufferings? The next step is to choose a monthly or yearly subscription, and then enter your payment information. You can cancel anytime during the trial period. To subscribe at our regular subscription rate, click the button below.
To manage your subscription, visit your Bible Gateway account settings. Upgrade, and get the most out of your new account. Try it free for 30 days. Matthew Henry's Commentary — 2 Timothy.