No Weak-Kneed Believers from 2 Timothy, Capitol Ministries

NO WEAK-KNEED BELIEVERS FROM 2 TIMOTHY, Capitol Ministries

I. INTRODUCTION

Peter initially denied Christ when there was a cost to his commitment. But later, he responded better to similar trials. As we will see, things were no different for Paul’s disciples. Fair-weather believers — and their betraying tendencies — were common then and remain so today. I want you to note this and make application of this important principle as we now survey the Epistle of 2 Timothy with this theme in mind.

II. 2 TIMOTHY 1

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved son: grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.” (1 –5)

This is the last epistle Paul wrote (A.D. 67) before his own martyrdom, and it is filled with intense emotion. The setting is this: Paul is writing this letter to Timothy who is his disciple and is now pastoring the church in Ephesus. More closely, the church had been overrun by false teachers (cf. 1 Timothy). As Paul writes, Timothy’s mettle is being tested through persecution and so he writes him in ways most appropriate to best helping him through the matters he pressingly faces:

“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” (5–14)

Timothy was faltering as a pastor in light of the troubles created by Hymenaeus and Alexander (cf. 1 Timothy 1:20). These problems (from a human perspective) were borne from within the church he was leading, but from a spiritual perspective, Satan himself was propagating the turmoil. Paul’s response is to exhort his disciple to kindle afresh his spiritual gifts of teaching, preaching, and evangelism and be like Paul himself. Sometimes past criticisms serve to paralyze future progress; Paul here is saying the just the opposite should be true — that even though in all likelihood the further manifestation of his spiritual gifts and devout commitment to the Great Commission would bring more personal suffering! Timothy — and you, my friend — should not be ashamed (1:12) about moving forward to achieve your destiny; after all, it is the continual, industrious fulfillment of your calling that best silences your critics.

Paul charges us not to be timid (1:7) (weak-kneed) in the midst of trials and persecution, using himself as an example. He is acting as a model for Timothy — himself not being ashamed of the gospel, even though he suffers greatly for proclaiming it. Paul is saying to his understudy and to you and me:

Our audience is one, our doctrine in the cross is exclusive, and our confidence in God’s sovereignty must be clear. If Christ had called him, no other man could put him asunder. True in and of Paul’s life, and also for Timothy’s: Therein is the strong inference of this passage. The application for you as a public servant is obvious — especially as folks take you to task prior to elections.

“You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me — the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day — and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” (15–18)

Phygelus and Hermogenes are Paul’s first mention of at least three additional sets of folks in 2 Timothy who had abandoned him in ministry. Like Hymenaeus and Alexander, who are found in 1 Timothy, Phygelus and Hermogenes too, turned out to be fair-weather friends. Nothing more is known about these two promising Christian leaders who were evidently close to Paul but jumped ship when there later arose a personal cost of some sort. Acutely aware and learned from what had happened previously with Phygelus and Hermogenes, in this passage Paul bespeaks and models a contrasting attitude to Timothy. In the large context, Paul’s message to Timothy is this: In times of trial and persecution, strong disciples refuse to equivocate, vacillate, or compromise on biblically clear matters, and they will not hesitate to be confrontational when necessary. There was no room in Paul’s mind for weak-kneed Christianity.

III. 2 TIMOTHY 2

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (1–2)

In contrast to the weak-kneed, Paul instructs Timothy to entrust the gospel to faithful men. Not only Timothy, but every minister and fellow believer has 2 Timothy 2:2 laid to his charge. This passage is another way of expressing the Great Commission found in the gospels. Notice that every believer needs to be making disciples: entrusting the doctrine he or she has been given (from a reputable disciple-maker) to another who will be able to teach yet others is the primary biblical methodology for the expansion of God’s Kingdom. Four generations of discipling are in view in this one passage. Since “mathetes” is the Greek word for disciple and means “a learner,” it is no wonder that the disciple maker herein and found elsewhere in Scripture is referred to as a teacher (didasko). A Bible teacher needs a learner and a learner needs a Bible teacher. As stated earlier, in this same regard Paul said to the Ephesian elders in the Book of Acts (those whom he discipled for many years), “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God” (20:27). This is what it means to be actively “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2:1); it is how one strengthens the limb which is lame (Hebrews 12:13); it is how one stands strong in persecution. It is the opposite of ending up spiritually weak-kneed. “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (3)

Believers who do not desire to place themselves in the presence of, and learn from Bible teachers are biblical enigmas. It is to say also that one who avoids 2 Timothy 2:2 will not be emblemized by 2 Timothy 2:3 (above). Those who are not being discipled and subsequently do not disciple others are in no position to endure or suffer hardship that is attributed to their faithfulness to the Word of God. Biblically malnourished believers are always weak at the knees. Paul bids his disciple remain loyal in the battle for truth. There is always a cost to doing battle for biblical truth; it will separate soldiers of Christ who are willing to suffer hardship in the battle for righteousness from those who are not, whose selfish purposes remain preeminent. “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.” (4–9)

There exists a common theme in this epistle from start to finish of suffering hardship. Such is normative for the follower of Christ — not optional — in biblically understood Christianity. The increasing problem in American evangelicalism is a self-centered religiosity sold from the vast majority of pulpits. Be it a prosperity gospel, a self-help “seeker friendly” sermon or a hyper-charismatic emphasis wherein one is made to have self-centered versus transcendent thoughts during worship: all are less than what Paul is saying to Timothy and are earmarks of strong-kneed Christianity! Paul consistently talks more about slaying self (cf. Romans 6:2–6; Galatians 2:20) than gratifying self.

Paul repeatedly states that suffering hardship, persecution, and trials are typical of authentic Christianity. Conditioned elsewise, what routinely occurs then when persecution arises is that hordes of “believers” duck out of sight. Why? Because that is not what they originally signed up for! “I thought Christianity was supposed to prosper me, give me my best life now, and, make me feel ‘spiritual’ — not cost me! Suffer hardship? What’s that? I’m outta here!” is the summary conclusion of the unfulfilled expectations of the weak-kneed.

Further, let’s peer into the three metaphors Paul uses in 2 Timothy 2 to describe and characterize real Christianity: the soldier, the athlete and the farmer. In context, Paul is illustrating to full-time ministers such as Timothy, and by way of extension to all disciple makers, their need to be undistracted (as is characteristic of soldiers) in this case by worldly, selfish pursuits; to be obedient (as is characteristic of athletes) in this case to the Word of God as it pertains to all ministry and ministry philosophy; and to be hard-working (as is characteristic of farmers) in this case to the end goal of making disciples. Being undistracted, obedient, and hard-working are all requisites, fundamental disciplines that are necessary for anyone who wants to make disciples over the course of their lifetime. All are totally the opposite qualities of weak-kneed “believers.”

Paul now segues into revealing his motives for ministry as is evidenced in and by the following passage. The motive? He perseveres under persecution for the sake of the chosen and their salvation: “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (10–13)

As ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), Paul, you, and I have a deep-seated reason for living, even when the environment is so hostile as to suggest we should somehow bow out. The salvation and maturation of the saints — making disciples — compels us to live with an eternally-based internal strength.

There is no greater cause, purpose, or motivation than to clearly understand one’s biblical identity and marching orders in Christ. These internal, theological truths should lead to personal endurance in ministry (orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy). Conversely, one who is weak-kneed to the point of denying Christ (vs. 12) when under persecution, in a continual sense, is not saved to begin with, i.e. the trial serves to separate the saints from the “aint’s.” Trials and persecution are sometimes meant by God to identify and separate the tares that are present amongst the wheat of the body of Christ (cf. 1 John 2:19).

“Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.’ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” (14–26)

Paul informs Timothy not to engage in debates with false teachers. Conversely, he is to spend his energies accurately handling the word of truth (vs. 15). This separation from false teachers, however, does not mean one fails to warn others about them (cf. Galatians 1:16–19; Ephesians 5:6–11; Jude 3). As a matter of fact, many of the New Testament letters are polemics alerting the saved to false teachings and teachers; such is a major component of biblical ministry. Before departing from this chapter, notice that Philitus was yet another person who betrayed Paul in ministry. The list grows.

IV. 2 TIMOTHY 3

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”

The power and focus of Christianity lies in the cross of Christ. It is the salvific Jesus — who died on the cross as a substitutionary atonement for sin — that affords us justification before a holy and righteous God.

“For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also. Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (6–12)

Again, here is this clear promise from Scripture: persecution is normative. I am in agreement with commentators who hold verse 12 to be in contrast to verse 5: those who hold to a form of godliness (v. 5) will not be characterized by persecution. (v. 12)2 Why? Because Jesus and Paul repeatedly state the promise and association of genuine godliness and persecution in the following passages:

A. JESUS IN MATTHEW 10:22–23

“You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.”

B. JESUS IN LUKE 21:12

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.”

C. JESUS IN JOHN 15:20

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

D. PAUL IN ACTS 14:22

“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’”

E. PAUL IN 1THESSALONIANS 3:4

“For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.”

All of these various passages serve to associate genuine godliness with persecution. Having gone elsewhere to underscore this point, let’s turn our attention back to 2 Timothy 3 now. Paul’s contrast to verse 5 (of those who hold to a form of godliness abut who, he says, have denied its power) continue in the passages that follow verse 12 (below). Note what he says in verses 13–16: it is the power of the Scriptures that lead others to salvation.

“But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (13–15)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (16–17) Scripture repeatedly attests to its own inspiration. To hold any lesser view of it is to be in contradiction to what it says.

V. 2 TIMOTHY 4

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (1–5)

Again, standing for truth and refuting error is normative. It is to beckon hardship, which one need endure. Train yourself to expect this. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. (6)

Paul’s personal martyrdom was near. The Greek language he uses is picturesque, likening himself to a ship losing its tether, slipping from the dock.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (7)

Again, normative to real ministry is the battle for truth and the refuting of error.

“In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.” (8–10)

Paul knew of his coming reward from the Savior whom he had so faithfully served. Demas, on the other hand, is another weak-kneed defector. Why did he defect? The things of the world were a higher priority in his heart. In Philemon (written by Paul earlier), one learns that Paul called Demas a “fellow worker.” In Colossians 4:12–14 (approximately five years earlier) Paul signifies that he was a close associate. So, for Paul to use the word “deserted” (enkataleipo), indicates a pendulum swing in Demas’ heart. The word means “utter abandonment.” Demas, too, need be added to the list of betrayers in ministry; he was a fair-weather follower. He saw where Paul’s life was headed, and he did not want to risk persecution and imprisonment with him.

V. CONCLUSION

In spite of his oft-dire physical condition and the too-often emotional abandonments of those whom he’d earlier deemed loyal, such circumstances never affected his spirit! Paul had a pliable heart, but very thick skin by the time he writes 2 Timothy — at the zenith of his life and ministry. He possessed an intimacy with Christ and a resounding faith that totally transcended, eclipsed, and governed the emotions of his earthly condition! He ruled his spirit — not the other way around! Void from this epistle is any sense of bitterness or resentment. Romans 8:35–39 reveals the visceral thinking of this wonderful man and provides an apt capstone to this book survey:

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘For our sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

FOOTNOTES:

1 The Fellowships’ 2005 IRS 990 Statement of Organization’s Primary Exempt Purpose, Part III: “…modeling the principles of Jesus… under the thoughts of Jesus.”

2 Knight III, George W. The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Pastoral Epistles (Grand Rapids: Eerdmann’s, 1992), p. 442.