continue in what you have learned

Posted on June 19, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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continue in what you have learned

2 Timothy 3:10-17 (JDV)

2 Timothy 3:10 You, on the other hand, have followed my teaching, conduct, plan, faith, patience, care, and endurance,
2 Timothy 3:11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured – and yet the Lord rescued me from them all.
2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:13 Evil humans and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,
2 Timothy 3:15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for rescue through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:17 so that the human of God may be complete, equipped for every good achievement.

continue in what you have learned

Paul had just instructed Timothy to gently instruct those who want to argue about things, but that there will be some that are brilliant but foolish, who will not listen to reason.

Now he tells Timothy to remember those who persecuted Paul himself. These are examples of such brilliant fools.

Paul tells his protege that if he encounters such opposition in his ministry, he should continue in what he has learned. Paul had taught him Scripture, and “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the human of God may be complete, equipped for every good achievement.” When faced with opposition this world, we need to be equipped from above.

Lord, give us the courage to stand on your holy word.

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the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres

Posted on June 18, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres

2 Timothy 3:1-9 (JDV)

2 Timothy 3:1 But you should know this: Hard seasons {καιρός} will be present in the last days
2 Timothy 3:2 because humans will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2 Timothy 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, with no love for what is good,
2 Timothy 3:4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2 Timothy 3:5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people
2 Timothy 3:6 because among them are those who slip their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a various passions,
2 Timothy 3:7 always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:8 Just like Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, this is how these also resist the truth. They are humans whose minds are corrupt their faith is worthless.
2 Timothy 3:9 But they will not further progress much further, because their foolishness will become clear to all, as was the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres.

the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres

These two names identified Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses and what God was doing among the Israelites. Their names became symbols of those who appear to be skilled and intelligent, but oppose God’s word, his will and his mission.

Do you know anyone like that? Paul warns Timothy that such people will not be moved by the gentle instruction he had talked about earlier (2:25). Instead, they will resist the truth, because their “brilliant” minds are corrupt and their “faith” is worthless.

So, if gentle conversation will not succeed, what will? Waiting. Paul tells Timothy to wait for the other shoe to drop. Sooner or later “their foolishness will become clear to all.” I have seen examples of this. There have been some powerful people I have met, whose bully atheism I could not begin to counter by biblical instruction. Every one of those people is dead now — some at their own hands. God is not mocked. Whoever opposes him will be silenced.

Lord, give us the wisdom to wait on you to answer the fool in his foolishness.

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gently instructing opponents

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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gently instructing opponents

2 Timothy 2:22-26 (JDV)

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, care, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they produce fights.
2 Timothy 2:24 The Lord’s servant must not fight, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,
2 Timothy 2:25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 2:26 and recapture his senses from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his preference.

gently instructing opponents

Paul tells Timothy not to try to get into fights with people over foolish and ignorant disputes. Fighting does not accomplish the Lord’s will. In fact, in spiritual matters, fighting is proof that one has already been taken captive by the devil to do his preference.

Back up, breath in, breath out. Approach differences not as an adversary, but as a concerned friend. If they can be ignored, ignore them. If they must be addressed, do so not as a combatant. Doing the Lord’s will is more important than winning an argument.

Lord, teach us how to gently instruct our opponents.

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for high quality use

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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for high quality use

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (JDV)

2 Timothy 2:20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver containers, but also those of wood and clay; some for high quality use and some for low quality.
2 Timothy 2:21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything of low quality, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good achievement.

for high quality use

I don’t like drinking out of paper or plastic. I’m sure there is nothing wrong with it, but to me it is just undignified. So, when I am at home, I drink out of a glass — or a mason jar. To me, that’s high quality. Feel free to differ!

Paul instructs Timothy to make himself and those he leads into special instruments set apart for high quality use. Godliness is not just for display purposes. Godliness makes us useful for our Master.

LORD, make us instruments of high quality, so you can use us for your purposes.

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trivial empty talk

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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trivial empty talk

2 Timothy 2:14-19 (JDV)

2 Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, and be seriously warning {διαμαρτύρομαι} them before God not to fight over words. This is useless and leads to catastrophe for those who listen.
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid trivial empty talk, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,
2 Timothy 2:17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them.
2 Timothy 2:18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.

trivial empty talk

When our theology leads us (and others) away from lives of godliness — we need to rethink our theology.

Not too long ago, a believer with a particular theological position might have expressed his or her beliefs by joining a like-minded denomination, or perhaps writing a book or two on the subject. Today, we can blog, vlog, podcast, join groups on Facebook and other social media sites, and spend all our days promoting our ideas, and defending them against the opposition.

In many ways, this is an improvement. The restrictions to both access to information and to its communication have been very freeing, and all of us should appreciate the changes.

Yet, we should also be very careful that we do not become modern-day examples to the kind of constant bickering that Paul warned Timothy about in the text above. If we post our posts just to foment controversy and keep the flames burning in never-ending debates just for the sake of bickering itself, that is just what we will become.

LORD, keep us from trivial empty talk, and help us to concentrate our testimony on things that matter.

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the mission is worth it

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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the mission is worth it

2 Timothy 2:8-13 (JDV)

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my excellent message,
2 Timothy 2:9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound.
2 Timothy 2:10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain rescue (σωτηρία), which is in Christ Jesus, with permanent glory.
2 Timothy 2:11 This saying is trustworthy: You see, if we died with him, we will also live with him;
2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;
2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself.

the mission is worth it

Are you wondering if it is all worth it. There is so much evil in this world, and so much pain, and so many mistakes. Why keep fighting to rescue others by proclaiming the gospel.

Paul’s answer is that it is worth it. God is in this, and he has chosen some who will be saved.

Jesus Christ has demonstrated that it is worth it by his resurrection and ascension.

If we endure, we will live with him.

If we endure, we will reign with him.

If we endure, our temporary shame will be replaced with permanent glory.

LORD, thank you for the call to share your excellent message, because the mission is worth the effort.

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Jesus Christ, risen

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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Jesus Christ, risen

2 Timothy 2:8-13 (JDV)

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my excellent message,
2 Timothy 2:9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound.
2 Timothy 2:10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain rescue,1 which is in Christ Jesus, with permanent glory.
2 Timothy 2:11 This saying is trustworthy: You see, if we died with him, we will also live with him;
2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;
2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself.

Jesus Christ, risen

Paul was encouraging Timothy to stay faithful to his calling and the missions work. He had used three examples of perseverance in the previous text: soldier, athlete, farmer.

In today’s text he points to the untimate example: Jesus Christ, risen.

Paul himself was undergoing suffering for the elect. He was following Christ’s example. The reason he could confidently face hardship and imprisonment for the excellent message is that the message is about Jesus Christ — once suffered, now risen.

Lord, thank you for the hope your message gives those of us who may have to suffer for you today.

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soldier, athlete, farmer

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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soldier, athlete, farmer

2 Timothy 2:1-7 (JDV)

2 Timothy 2:1 You, therefore, my child, be strengthened by the favor that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful humans who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:3 Join in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the enlisting officer.
2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say because the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Paul had just told Timothy how sad he was about those who had once been his friends and supported his ministry but had now turned away.

He encourages Timothy not to become one of these. Instead, he should stay strong, and keep up the work. He needed to stay focused on the work, and not get distracted — to be a good soldier. He needed to compete according to the rules, and like a good athlete, he would get the crown. He needed to stay focused on the crop, and as a good farmer, he would be the first to share its fruit.

Lord, help us to stay strong and focused on the mission.

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turned away

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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turned away

2 Timothy 1:15-18 (JDV)

2 Timothy 1:15 You know that all those in the province of Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
2 Timothy 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
2 Timothy 1:17 Indeed, when he was in Rome, he diligently searched for me and found me.
2 Timothy 1:18 May the Lord grant that he obtain mercy from him on that day. You know very well how many ways he assisted at Ephesus.

turned away

What sad words the apostle pens. His feelings of rejection and betrayal are mixed with his concern and love for those past friends who have now turned away.

We cannot help but feel the anguish Paul is feeling, and recall those who were part of our lives and supporters of our mission, but who have left — turned way.

His prayer is not for revenge, but for mercy to those who have abandoned him. In the midst of his grief over his own loss, he still remembers the joy these people once caused him.

LORD, have mercy on those who have turned away from us.

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until that day

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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until that day

2 Timothy 1:8-14 (JDV)

2 Timothy 1:8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner. Instead, join in suffering for the excellent message, relying on the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and invited us with a sacred invitation, not according to our achievements, but according to his own plan and favor, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before ages of time.
2 Timothy 1:10 This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has replaced death and has brought life and immortality to light through the excellent message.
2 Timothy 1:11 For this excellent message I was appointed a preacher, missionary, and teacher,
2 Timothy 1:12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold on to the pattern of healthy words that you have heard from me, in the faith and care that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit through the Sacred Breath who lives in us.

until that day

Christ has brought life and immortality to light, but that does not mean we are already immortal. We wait for him to give us what he has promised. We will not inherit it “until that day.”

Lord, give us the wisdom to stay true to your excellent message, and wait for the day in which your promise will become our possession.

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