Rules for Spiritual Success (2 Timothy 2)

 In the previous chapter, Timothy was told to “hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Tim 1:13).

In this chapter Paul instructs Timothy to pass these sound words onto ‘faithful men” who can then teach them to others (2 Tim. 2:2).

Timothy must also teach those who oppose himself (vs 25), whilst avoiding “vain and profane babblings”, “foolish and unlearned questions” and strife “about words to no profit” (vs 14,16&23)

Furthermore he is to be gentle, patient, meek and “apt to teach”(vs 24&25), meaning a skilful teacher.

To be a skilful teacher it was necessarily for Timothy to commit himself to study, as a “workman that needs not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (vs 15).

Timothy was a workman for God’s kingdom.

Indeed Paul likened him to a farmer tilling the earth, an athlete striving for the prize and a soldier dedicated to military service. (Vs 4-6)

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Striving for masteries could allude to a wrestling or boxing match. In either scenario, to be awarded the victor’s crown, one must play by the rules of the sport.

6 The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.

A farmer cannot yield a crop without following the rules of agriculture and first tilling the earth.

Likewise there are rules for spiritual success.

This chapter contrasts two groups of people, those who abide by the rules and those who don’t.

Faithful men and unfaithful men.

Vessels unto honor and vessels unto dishonor.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Only a vessel which is holy and set apart from the world, is fit for the master’s use.

There are no short cuts to spiritual success.

The ground of ones own heart must be tilled before one can till anothers.

One’s own vessel must be purged before one can help purge anothers.

Just as Jesus suffered leaving an example for us to follow, we suffer as an example for others to follow.

We suffer in the sense that we deny self. In denying self we lead by example.

How many hours did Timothy spend alone in diligent study? How many hours did he spend along side others patiently teaching them?

That’s what Timothy’s mother and grandmother did for him, in teaching him the scriptures from when he was a child.

That’s what Timothy's spiritual father Paul, did in writing him these letters. 

Hence Timothy was the fruit of all their labours.

Only through self-denial and patient continuance, is a spiritual harvest reaped. 

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Repentance and heart purity are foundational truths. 

For each individual the ground work must be done in their own heart and a firm foundation laid.

 

Yet how one builds upon that foundation also matters. Every brick and beam must be measured against the cornerstone, otherwise the building will be faulty.

Sound doctrine is that which is “according to godliness” and sound doctrine produces a sound building. 

That’s why Timothy was instructed both to “hold fast the form of sound words” and to pass them on to faithful men, that they may teach them to others.

Success in war, sport or farming doesn’t happen by luck or magic. Neither does spiritual success.