II Timothy: Knowledge of Word and Spirit

• Knowledge of the Word and Spirit is vital to service
• Effectively serving God requires dedication
• Representatives of Jesus must live godly lives and correct those who misrepresent Him
• Knowledge of the Word and Spirit enables fulfillment in all aspects of life and ministry

Introduction to II Timothy

• II Timothy, a letter from Paul to Timothy includes mentions of twenty-nine people and twelve locations
• The letter was written in A.D. 67 while Paul was imprisoned in Rome
• II Timothy is compiled of instructions and admonitions applicable today
• II Timothy focuses on the things of God, from beginning to end, avoiding small talk

Chapter One

• Paul confirms his appointment from God as an apostle (II Timothy 1:1), despite being close to Timothy
• Verse two confirms the recipient of the letter
• Paul assures Timothy of his regular intercession in verse three
• Paul desires to see Timothy again (II Timothy 1:4)
• Paul recalls Timothy's genuine faith passed town from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (II Timothy 1:5)
• Paul reminds Timothy to "stir up" the gift within him, which was imparted when Paul laid his hands on him (II Timothy 1:6)
• Timothy is reminded that the Spirit is of power, love, and sound mind (II Timothy 1:7)
• The emphasis in verse 1:7 is not fear, but the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit is powerful, full of affection and benevolence, and exercises self-control
• The gift of the Holy Spirit must be continually stirred internally to manifest externally
• We must not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus, as reminded in Romans 1:16
• We must not be ashamed of those who suffer for their witness of Jesus
• We are encouraged to identify with and share in the sufferings of those who suffer for Jesus
• Verse nine emphasizes that we are saved by God's purpose and grace, not by our own works
• The grace and purpose of God have been manifested through Jesus Christ, rendering death ineffective
• The revelation of life and immortality is given through the gospel of Jesus (II Timothy 1:10)
• Paul declares his appointment as a preacher, apostle, and teacher of the gospel to the Gentiles in verse eleven
• Paul's imprisonment resulted from fulfilling his appointment (II Timothy 1:12)
• Paul is not ashamed of his actions or imprisonment (II Timothy 1:12)
• We must know the One in Whom we believe
• Trusting someone is directly related to knowing the person
• Knowing someone allows us to know their capabilities
• Wisdom refrains from entrusting something to someone incapable of safely keeping it
• Knowing Jesus assures that He can safely keep what is entrusted to Him
• Jesus cannot keep what has not been entrusted to Him
• Timothy is urged to adhere to the pattern of sound words set by Paul (II Timothy 1:13)
• The "pattern of sound words" refers to proper conversation
• Conversation must align with faith and love in Christ Jesus
• Confessions must agree with actions, and actions with the Word and Spirit of God
• "That good thing" refers to the gift mentioned in verse six, guarded through the Holy Spirit's power (II Timothy 1:14)
• Paul mentions those in Asia who turned away and Onesiphorus, who ministered to him in prison
• Paul names Phygellus and Hermogenes as those who deserted him
• Onesiphorus had ministered to Paul before in Ephesus

Chapter Two

• Paul encourages Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus and calls him his son
• The principle of reproduction is revealed - truths learned must be passed to others
• Truths should be taught to trustworthy people capable of teaching others
• Enduring difficult circumstances in life is following the pattern of a good soldier. (II Timothy 2:3)
• A soldier who pleases his enlisting officer avoids civilian affairs (II Timothy 2:4)
• Athletes must follow the rules to receive awards (II Timothy 2:5)
• The farmer is the first to eat the fruit of his labor (II Timothy 2:6)
• Meditation should be on verses three through six and seek God's understanding (II Timothy 2:7)
• We must consider ourselves soldiers enlisted in God's army
• Soldiers learn to endure difficult circumstances, and we must learn to do the same in God's army
• Good soldiers are devoted to the military, not engaging in civilian business or carnal activities
• Athletes who don't abide by the rules are disqualified
• Those not obedient to the Word and Spirit will lose their rewards
• The farmer has the privilege of being the first to eat the food produced by his labors
• Our labors in the Lord are not in vain; we are the first to benefit from our relationship with and our work for the Lord
• Jesus Christ, descendant of King David, was raised from the dead (II Timothy 2:8)
• The gospel is not only what Paul preached but also what we must preach
• Preaching the gospel of Jesus may bring persecution and imprisonment
• God's Word cannot be bound, regardless of geography (II Timothy 2:9)
• Without preaching the gospel, others cannot be saved (II Timothy 2:10)
• Perspective on persecution: if we have died with Jesus, we will also live with Jesus
• If we endure for Jesus, we will reign with Jesus
• If we deny Jesus, He will also deny us
• Our unfaithfulness does not affect the faithfulness of Jesus
• Although men can deny Jesus, He cannot deny Himself
• Remind people of aforementioned instructions and to restrain from controversial discussions
• Present ourselves to God as acceptable teachers, correctly dissecting the "Word of Truth" (II Timothy 2:15)
• Verse sixteen commands to avoid wicked, fruitless discussions, as they lead to ungodliness and cause great harm
• Paul identifies Hymenaeus and Philetus as propagators of ungodliness, teaching that the resurrection has already occurred (II Timothy 2:17-18)
• This doctrine has caused some to abandon their faith
• Erroneous doctrines may cause some people to move from the faith, but they cannot move the solid foundation of God (II Timothy 2:19)
• The Lord knows those who are His
• Everyone who identifies with Christ must depart from all unrighteousness
• Great houses contain vessels of various materials, some valuable and others used for disgraceful services (II Timothy 2:20)
• God uses honorable and dishonorable vessels
• We determine the category of "honor" or "dishonor" by our response to Jesus
• Those who cleanse themselves from iniquity will be vessels of honor (II Timothy 2:21)
• Those who refuse to cleanse themselves will be dishonorable vessels
• Verse twenty-two commands avoiding youthful lusts
• The best way to avoid something is to go in the opposite direction
• We must run from evil and toward God
• Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who serve God with a pure heart (II Timothy 2:22)
• Avoid engaging in foolish and ignorant questioning, as it creates controversy and quarrels (II Timothy 2:23)
• Servants of the Lord must not quarrel but be kind, patient, and capable of instructing others (II Timothy 2:24)
• Correcting those in opposition should be done with humility (II Timothy 2:25-26)
• The purpose for correction is repentance, the violator can recognize truth
• Recognizing truth allows one to come to senses and escape the devil's trap
• Those refusing God's will are captives of Satan, deceived into doing his will

Chapter Three

• Be aware that in the final days, we will be confronted with difficult and dangerous occasions and opportunities (Acts 2:17; II Timothy 3:1)
• In the final days, people will be selfish (II Timothy 3:2-5)
• People will be lovers of money and boasters
• They will be arrogant and slanderous against people and God
• They will be disobedient to their parents and ungrateful
• They will be unholy or impure, hardhearted and unappeasable
• They will break pledges and covenants
• They will attack people's reputations by speaking evil against them
• They will lack self-control and be cruel, pitiless, inhuman, and brutal
• They will be hostile to virtue, which is moral goodness, or right action and thinking
• They will be traitors, reckless and rash
• They will be inflated with self-conceit, which is haughtiness, or unwarranted self-importance
• They will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
• They will appear to be Godly but will reject the power from Godiness
• Avoid people who act this way
• These people sneak into houses and capture foolish women loaded with sins and led by various lusts (II Timothy 3:6)
• Women of this sort are always learning but unable to recognize truth (II Timothy 3:7)
• Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, these people oppose the truth (II Timothy 3:8)
• They have corrupt minds, worthless to "the faith", and disapproved, (II Timothy 3:8)
• Their foolishness will be exposed, just as the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres, (II Timothy 3:9)
• Timothy is an eyewitness to Paul's life and ministry (II Timothy 3:10-11)
• Timothy knows from experience Paul's doctrine and lifestyle
• Timothy is aware of Paul's purpose
• Timothy has seen Paul's faith and forbearance in action
• Timothy is familiar with Paul's forbearance
• Timothy is more conformed to the love demonstrated by Paul more than Paul's associates
• Timothy has seen Paul's patience and persecutions and hardships at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra
• Timothy has seen God deliver Paul from all these hardships and persecutions
• Everyone who desires to live godly in Christ Jesus will experience persecution (II Timothy 3:12)
• Evil people who are imposters will progressively get worse and continually lead people astray (II Timothy 3:13)
• Everyone should continue in the things which you have learned and are sure (II Timothy 3:14-15)
• It it important to teach children the Word of God
• Knowing the “Holy Scriptures” gives one access to the wisdom necessary to receive salvation in Jesus Christ
• All Scripture is inspired by God and advantageous for those who will receive the Word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17)
• Scripture is profitable for doctrine, proof or conviction, correction, and training in righteousness
• The purpose for these applications is to thoroughly mature and equip the saints for every good work

Chapter Four

• Timothy is urgently requested to preach the Word of God (II Timothy 4:1-2)
• This is a charge given to Timothy in the presence of God and Jesus Christ, they both bear witness to this charge
• Jesus will judge the living and the dead when He appears in His kingdom (II Timothy 4:1)
• Timothy is instructed to be ready to preach in opportune and inopportune times
• People must be warned and advised, when they do wrong we must express disapproval, warn, and advise, individually (II Timothy 4:2)
• Convincing, rebuking, and exhorting must be done through patient instruction (II Timothy 4:2)
• The time is coming, when people will not tolerate sound instruction (II Timothy 4:3)
• People will bring together teachers who will say what they want to hear, because of selfish desires
• These people will refuse to listen to the truth and follow myths and fictitious stories (II Timothy 4:4)
• The instructions given to Timothy should be applied by everyone.
• Instructions: Be watchful, well balanced, and self-controlled (II Timothy 4:5)
• Endure afflictions - be patient to bear hardships (II Timothy 4:5)
• Do work of evangelist - Proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel of Jesus (II Timothy 4:5)
• Fulfill your ministry - We complete God assigned Task (II Timothy 4:5)
• Paul compares his life to a drink offering that is being poured out, and the finality of the offering is almost consummated
• His confession, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith," is another way of saying, "I have fulfilled my ministry." (II Timothy 4:7)
• "Fighting a good fight" - overcoming opposition to ministry while remaining faithful to God
• “Finishing the course” - completion of all assignments with no disqualifying actions or violations
• “Keeping the faith" a lifestyle consistent to gospel ways of Jesus
• The crown of righteousness is the reward in afterlife (II Timothy 4:8)
• In this like Jesus is our righteousness
• When we stand before Jesus, the righteous Judge, we will not be condemned
• Everyone who longs for the manifestation of Jesus will receive the reward of eternal justification
• Paul instructs Timothy to make every effort to come to him immediately, verse nine
• Demas left to the present age Paul and went to Thessalonica, (II Timothy 4:10)
• Crescens left for Galatia, Titus went to Dalmatia, only Luke stayed with Paul
• Paul instructed Timothy to bring Mark (John) who he recognizes as in ministry (II Timothy 4:11)
• Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus to minister (II Timothy 4:12)
• Paul asked Timothy to bring the cloak, books, and parchments from Troas (II Timothy 4:13)
• Paul reminds Timothy of the harm done by Alexander, the coppersmith, and expects the Lord to repay him (II Timothy 4:14)
• Paul warns Timothy to beware of Alexander, for greatly resisting (II Timothy 4:15)
• The first time Paul defended himself, no one supported him (II Timothy 4:16)
• "The Lord stood with me and strengthened me,” he did not want the judgement executed on them."(II Timothy 4:17)
• Jesus never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5)
• The preservation of which Paul speaks is not related to this life, but to the heavenly kingdom
• It is the rule of God that also happens after life
• Paul tells of glory to God, for his preservation for the heavenly kingdom, (II Timothy 4:18)
• Paul sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and to the household of Onesiphorus (II Timothy 4:19)
• Erastus and Trophimus were travelling Paul and Timothy
• Send greets from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia (II Timothy 4:21)
• Concludes the phrase “The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” and then extends grace unto Timothy (II Timothy 4:22)

Summary of II Timothy

• Paul reminds Timothy of his responsibilities as a minister of the gospel
• Paul reveals characteristics of a faithful minister
• An exhortation is given to persevere through future trials and afflictions
• Because of coming apostasy, more trials and afflictions can be expected and must be overcome
• Overcomers can be be assured of preservation for this heavenly kingdom

Conclusion of II Timothy

• II Timothy is an instructive document full of principles that should be applied today
• The exhortation to preach the Word should resound to ministers all over the world
• Ministers of the gospel must follow biblical directions to Timothy by Paul
• All ministers must instruct, warn, and correct those who identify with Jesus