2Ti 2:1-7 | Clarke | STEP | He exhorts Timothy to constancy, fidelity, and courage; and to acquit himself as a true soldier of Jesus Christ; and patiently expect the fruit of his labors, . What the apostle's doctrine was relative to Christ, . He mentions his own sufferings and consolations, . What Timothy is to preach, how he is to acquit himself, and what he is to shun, . Of Hymeneus and Philetus, and their errors, , . Of the foundation of God, and its security, . The simile of a great house and its utensils, , . Timothy is to avoid youthful lusts, and foolish and unlearned questions, , . How he is to act in reference to false teachers, . Verse 1 Be strong in the grace - Though the genuine import of the word grace is favor, yet it often implies an active principle communicated from God; light directing how to act, and power enabling to act according to the light.

2 Timothy 2:1-7

Introduction

He exhorts Timothy to constancy, fidelity, and courage; and to acquit himself as a true soldier of Jesus Christ; and patiently expect the fruit of his labors, 2Tim 2:1-7. What the apostle's doctrine was relative to Christ, 2Tim 2:8. He mentions his own sufferings and consolations, 2Tim 2:9-13. What Timothy is to preach, how he is to acquit himself, and what he is to shun, 2Tim 2:14-16. Of Hymeneus and Philetus, and their errors, 2Tim 2:17, 2Tim 2:18. Of the foundation of God, and its security, 2Tim 2:19. The simile of a great house and its utensils, 2Tim 2:20, 2Tim 2:21. Timothy is to avoid youthful lusts, and foolish and unlearned questions, 2Tim 2:22, 2Tim 2:23. How he is to act in reference to false teachers, 2Tim 2:24-26.

Verse 1

Be strong in the grace - Though the genuine import of the word grace is favor, yet it often implies an active principle communicated from God; light directing how to act, and power enabling to act according to the light. Verse 2

The things that thou hast heard of me - Those doctrines which I have preached the most publicly, and which many persons can attest. But he seems to refer here to the doctrines delivered to him when, in the presence of many witnesses, he laid his hands upon him; see 1Tim 6:12. Then the apostle gave him the proper form of sound words which he was to teach; and now he tells him to commit those truths to faithful men in the same way that they were committed to him, that the truth might be preserved in the Church, and holy men appointed successively to preach it. These truths are still continued in the Church, and still there are faithful men who proclaim them. But where is the uninterrupted apostolical succession! Who can tell? Probably it does not exist on the face of the world. All the pretensions to it by certain Churches are as stupid as they are idle and futile. He who appeals to this for his authority as a Christian minister, had best sit down till he has made it out; and this will be by the next Greek kalends. Verse 3

Endure hardness - He considers a Christian minister under the notion of a soldier, not so much for his continual conflicts with the world, the devil, and the flesh, for these are in a certain sense common to all Christians, but for the hardships and difficulties to which he must be exposed who faithfully preaches the Gospel of Christ. Verse 4

No man that warreth entangleth, etc. - It is well remarked by Grotius, on this passage, that the legionary soldiers among the Romans were not permitted to engage in husbandry, merchandise, mechanical employments, or any thing that might be inconsistent with their calling. Many canons, at different times, have been made to prevent ecclesiastics from intermeddling with secular employments. The who will preach the Gospel thoroughly, and wishes to give full proof of his ministry, had need to have no other work. He should be wholly in this thing, that his profiting may appear unto all. There are many who sin against this direction. They love the world, and labor for it, and are regardless of the souls committed to their charge. But what are they, either in number or guilt, compared to the immense herd of men professing to be Christian ministers, who neither read nor study, and consequently never improve? These are too conscientious to meddle with secular affairs, and yet have no scruple of conscience to while away time, be among the chief in needless self-indulgence, and, by their burdensome and monotonous ministry, become an incumbrance to the Church! Do you inquire: In what sect or party are these to be found? I answer: In All. Idle drones: -

Fruges consumere nati, "Born to consume the produce of the soil," disgrace every department in the Christian Church. They cannot teach because they will not learn. Verse 5

If a man also strive for masteries - Εαν δε και αθλῃ τις· If a man contend in the public games - the Olympic or Isthmian games among the Greeks, so often alluded to and particularly explained in the notes on 1Cor 9:24-26, to which the reader is referred for a full illustration of this verse.

Is he not crowned - Though he may have conquered, except he strive lawfully - unless he enter according to the rules of the athlete, and act as these direct. No man, however zealous he may have been, is to expect the Well done, good and faithful servant, from Jesus Christ, unless he have labored in the word and doctrine, preached the truth as it is in Jesus, and built up the Church upon Him who is its only Foundation. Verse 6

The husbandman that laboureth - That is: The husbandman must first till his ground before he can expect a crop; and he must till it according to the proper rules of agriculture, else he cannot have a crop. The combatant must fight and conquer, and fight according to the laws of the agones, before he can be crowned; so the Christian minister must labor in the spiritual vineyard, and labor too under the eye and according to the direction of his Master, before he can expect that crown of righteousness that fadeth not away. Verse 7

Consider what I say - Apply my metaphors and similitudes in a proper manner.

And the Lord give thee understanding - But instead of δῳη, may he give, ACDEFG, several others, besides versions and fathers, have δωσει he will give. Consider thou properly, and God will give thee a proper understanding of all things that concern thy own peace, and the peace and prosperity of his Church. Think as well as read.