Paul continues with his teaching to Timothy and by application pastors, church workers, and teachers. He encourages Timothy to persevere, reminding him of his dedication to the ministry. New leaders must be chosen and taught. They must be trustworthy, which sometimes may be difficult to assess in today’s evil, narcissistic culture. The Christian life is frequently difficult but continue. Paul uses the examples of soldiers, athletes, and farmers in dedication and pressing forward. Paul then speaks of himself, his sufferings, and his motives.
My translation and notes on 2 Timothy 2:1-13
2 Timothy Chapter 2
Be strong Press On
1 Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
[That is recognize and rely on the grace of Jesus to help you in your ministry. See 2 Corinthians 12:9].
2 And what yous heard from me—supported by many witnesses. Commit the same to trustworthy men who will be able to teach others also.
[Most likely the ‘witnesses’ were those at Timothy’s ordination. Note the word ‘trustworthy.’ It is not just believers who were to teach others, as important as that may be, but to ‘trustworthy’ believers. The Greek word ‘trustworthy’ is (G4103) πιστός pistós. It means pertaining to being worthy of belief or trust, trustworthy, faithful, dependable, inspiring trust/faith (BDAG). It refers to not only what they say but also to what they do in public and private. Compare 3 John 1—Diotrephes, Demetrius, and Gaius].
3 So then, endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one on military duty involves himself in matters of livelihood, so that he may please him who enlisted him.
5 Also, if one competes in a tournament, he isn’t crowned the victor unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The farmer who works hard must be the first to eat from the harvest.
7 Think about what I am saying, and may the Lord give yous understanding in everything.
[Serving the Lord Jesus may not be an easy life, but we are to please our Lord even in hardships, teach and live according to His rules, and reap from the fruit of ministry. Compare Proverbs 2:6. In hardships, we pray, “God’s will be done.’ To live and teach the rules, we must know, study, and apply the rules. We must not be slothful in teaching, preaching, and doing the duties of a pastor-teacher].
Jesus Endured So Must We
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, was raised from the dead according to my Good News.
[Paul reminds Timothy the importance of teaching that Jesus is Christ (Messiah), a descendant of David (fulfilling prophecy), and was bodily raised from death. These things are what Paul preaches].
9 For which I suffer hardships as an evildoer, even chains, but the Word of God is not chained.
[Those 3 things also caused Paul to be persecuted and to be considered a lawbreaker and imprisoned. Even if he is imprisoned, the message of the Gospel is not imprisoned. Evil people can stop the Christian, but they cannot stop the God, nor His word. Also, Paul could preach to those imprisoned. Those people might otherwise never heard the Gospel, so too, the guards. Consider the witness in Acts 16:23-34].
10 Therefore, I calmly endure all this for the sake of the chosen, so that they may also receive the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
[The ‘chosen’ are those who have already believed or will in the future believe. Salvation may refer to salvation from the effect and punishment of our sins or may refer to the salvation of our corrupt body in which our complete being is saved (1 Corinthians 15:53 and Philippians 3:20-21). We will be glorified in Christ for eternity (Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:17). This glorification happens when Christ comes back to earth in glory (Titus 2:13). Paul endures his imprisonment and suffering as an example of patiently going through them to encourage all believers to remain faithful in all circumstances. The Greek word for ‘salvation’ is (G4991) σωτηρία soteria. There is salvation from enemies (Luke 1:71), deliverance from prison (Philippians 1:19), deliverance from God’s wrath that will be poured out in the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9), deliverance form the flood (Hebrews 11:7), deliverance from our decaying physical body and soul to eternal life with God in heaven (Hebrews 1:14 and 1 Peter 1:9), and salvation from the punishment we deserve because of our sins (Acts 4:12 and Romans 10:10).
11 This is a true saying, “For if we are dead with him, we will also live with him.
[Referring to the resurrection. Jesus died and raised from the dead, so do we in Christ (Romans 6:3-5)].
12 “If we calmly persevere with him, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.
[Calmly persevere—see Acts 14:22, Romans 8:17, and 1 Peter 4:13-16). Disown—see Matthew 10:33, Jude 1:4 Denying Christ or remaining faithful (Jude 1:24-25)].
13 “If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot be untrue to himself.”
[A promise. Some understand the faithfulness of Christ is the hope of Christ for a person to repent. Peter denied Christ but returned. Others understand this to be that Christ’s promised to punish unfaithfulness, and so He will. Regardless of one’s view, we learn the Christ is ALWAYS faithful, and humans, including believers, might not]