Studies in 2 Timothy Studies in 2 Timothy Presentation 04

Christian Endurance Chap 2v8-13 Presentation 04 Christian Endurance

The Structure of the Book Opening Greetings 1v1-2 Paul’s Encouragement 1v3-7 Paul’s Challenge 1v8-18 Exhortation to Faithfulness 2v1-7 Christian Endurance 2v8-13 The Approved Workman 2v14-26 Recognising the Times 3v1-9 The Scope of God’s Provision 3v10-17 Charge to faithful Service 4v1-5 Paul’s Final Reflections 4.v6-18 The Structure of the Book Opening Greetings 1v1-2 Paul’s Encouragement 1v3-7 Paul’s Challenge 1v8-18 Exhortation to faithfulness 2v1-7 Christian Endurance 2v8-13 The Approved Workman 2v14-26 Recognising the Times 3v1-9 The Scope of God’s Provision 3v10-17 Charge to faithful Service 4v1-5 Paul’s Final Reflections 4.v6-18 Presentation 04

Introduction Introduction Paul’s focus moves to the theme of endurance v10,12. The Greek word ‘hupomeno’ carries the idea of ‘staying put when others are pulling out’, or ‘keeping on with the task at hand’. Note too the significant use of the word ‘hupomeno’ in Matt.10.22, 'You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved'. See also Matt. 24.13, Mark 13.13, 1 Peter 2.20, James 5.11, Romans 5.3. Introduction Paul’s focus moves to the theme of endurance v10,12. The Greek word ‘hupomeno’ carries the idea of ‘staying put when others are pulling out’, or ‘keeping on with the task at hand’. Note too the significant use of the word ‘hupomeno’ in Matt.10.22, 'You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved'. See also Matt. 24.13, Mark 13.13, 1 Peter 2.20, James 5.11, Romans 5.3. Presentation 04

Introduction In each case in all of the previously mentioned texts suffering is the context in which the word ‘endurance’ is used. When Paul lists ways in which Christians are to behave, endurance tops the list 2 Cor. 6v4-7 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left… The heat of persecution sorts out the Christians who are ready to endure from those who are candy-floss ‘want to be’s.’ Timothy needed to re-learn this lesson. He was not to shirk suffering but be prepared to endure it when it came. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE Introduction Paul’s focus moves to endurance v10,12. The Greek word ‘hupomeno’ carries the idea of ‘staying put when others are pulling out’, or ‘keeping on with the task at hand’. Note the use of ‘hupomeno’ in Matt.10.22, 'You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved'. cf Matt. 24.13, Mark 13.13, 1 Peter 2.20, James 5.11, Romans 5.3. In each case suffering is the context in which the word ‘endurance’ is used. When Paul lists ways in which Christians are to behave, endurance tops the list 2 Cor. 6.4. The heat of persecution sorts out the Christians who are ready to endure from those who are candy-floss ‘want to be’s’. Timothy needed to re-learn this lesson. He was not to shirk suffering but be prepared to endure it when it came. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance Paul begins by pointing to Christ v8 who endured the cross. He did so as a descendant of David - as a sharer of our humanity. He has experienced the frailties, pains, fears of being a human being. But Jesus is risen. This risen Jesus was seen by Stephen [Acts 7.55-56] ready to help him in his time of persecution as he faced stoning. Stephen was not delivered from suffering but strengthened to be faithful in it. We too can access this grace and strength to equip us to endure. The example Jesus is now followed by Paul’s own sufferings. He is in prison because of the gospel. Paul also endured it all because nothing was more important to him than his Lord and the gospel. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 Paul begins by pointing to Christ v8 who endured the cross. He did so as a descendant of David - as a sharer of our humanity. He has experienced the frailties, pains, fears of being a human being. But Jesus is risen. This risen Jesus was seen by Stephen [Acts 7.55-56] ready to help him in his time of persecution as he faced stoning. Stephen was not delivered from suffering but strengthened to be faithful in it. We too can access this grace and strength to equip us to endure. The example Jesus is now followed by Paul’s own sufferings. He is in prison because of the gospel. Paul also endured it all because nothing was more important to him than his Lord and the gospel. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance Then comes the remarkable phrase 'But the word of God is not fettered'. Men may crucify Jesus, or imprison his servants, but no one can fetter the gospel itself. It cannot be chained to a wall or suppressed in the Christian’s heart . This Word of God [Heb. 4.12] is ‘living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword’, which pierces through all the normal barriers right to the depths of man's being and 'discerns the thought and intentions of the heart'. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 Then comes the remarkable phrase 'But the word of God is not fettered'. Men may crucify Jesus, or imprison his servants, but no one can fetter the gospel itself. It cannot be chained to a wall or suppressed in the Christian’s heart . This Word [Heb. 4.12] is ‘living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword’, which pierces through all the normal barriers right to the depths of man's being and 'discerns the thought and intentions of the heart'. Those who believe Scripture to be the inspired word of God know that it really does get through to, convict, challenge and change people. Think of those who have become convicted of their need of Christ by a scripture text in a book, on the radio or from the mouth of a friend. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance Those who believe Scripture to be the inspired word of God know that it really does get through to, convict, challenge and change people. Think of those who have become convicted of their need of Christ by a scripture text through reading a Christian book, hearing a Christian radio programme or as a result of a conversation with a friend who has quoted scripture. Augustine the famous C5th came to faith after hearing a child read from scripture on the other side of his garden wall! CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 Then comes the remarkable phrase 'But the word of God is not fettered'. Men may crucify Jesus, or imprison his servants, but no one can fetter the gospel itself. It cannot be chained to a wall or suppressed in the Christian’s heart . This Word [Heb. 4.12] is ‘living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword’, which pierces through all the normal barriers right to the depths of man's being and 'discerns the thought and intentions of the heart'. Those who believe Scripture to be the inspired word of God know that it really does get through to, convict, challenge and change people. Think of those who have become convicted of their need of Christ by a scripture text in a book, on the radio or from the mouth of a friend. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance Even then, Paul does not endure just for the gospel itself but because of what the gospel can do – it brings salvation. This is its purpose. It was for this gospel that Paul became “all things to all men” 1 Cor 9.15-23. He accommodated his presentation of the gospel to his hearers’ situation without compromising the substance of the gospel. And for this he was criticised, vilified and persecuted but he endured this suffering. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 Even then, Paul does not endure just for the gospel itself but because of what the gospel can do – it brings salvation. This is its purpose. It was for this gospel that Paul became “all things to all men” 1 Cor 9.15-23. He accommodated his presentation of the gospel to his hearers’ situation without compromising the substance of the gospel. And for this he was criticised, vilified and persecuted but he endured this suffering. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance So Paul comes to the `Sure saying' of verses 11-13. “If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” So Paul comes to the `Sure saying' of verses 11-13. These words appear to have formed part of an early Christian hymn. How often a verse of a hymn comes to mind at significant points in our lives - the rhythm of both words and music can make truth memorable. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 So he comes to the `Sure saying' of verses 11-13. These words appear to have formed part of an early Christian hymn. How often a verse of a hymn comes to mind at significant points in our lives - the rhythm of both words and music can make truth memorable. The best hymns are steeped in scriptural truth. Sadly some modern hymns have little substance and are unhelpfully repetitive. The hymn quoted here was probably known to Timothy and may have formed part of their regular worship when together. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance The best hymns are steeped in scriptural truth. And those written in times of spiritual revival are often rich in theological content and tend to stand the test of time. Sadly some modern hymns have little substance to them and are unhelpfully repetitive. The hymn quoted here was probably known to Timothy and may have formed part of the regular worship of Paul and his companions as they travelled together. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 So he comes to the `Sure saying' of verses 11-13. These words appear to have formed part of an early Christian hymn. How often a verse of a hymn comes to mind at significant points in our lives - the rhythm of both words and music can make truth memorable. The best hymns are steeped in scriptural truth. Sadly some modern hymns have little substance and are unhelpfully repetitive. The hymn quoted here was probably known to Timothy and may have formed part of their regular worship when together. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance But what does it mean? The first phrase, 'If we have died with him we shall also live with him‘, is clear. It reminds us of the importance of dying to self and of taking up the Cross and following of Christ. Some think that this was a hymn used at baptisms and so in that context would have had a particular significance. The reward of endurance is glory. Endurance leads to glory. We do not endure in order to obtain glory but we are inspired in our endurance by the glory ahead, as Jesus was himself [Heb. 12.2]. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 But what does it mean? The first phrase, 'If we have died with him we shall also live with him‘, is clear. It reminds us of the importance of dying to self and of taking up the Cross and following of Christ. Some think that this was a hymn used at baptisms and so would have had particular significance. The reward of endurance is glory. Endurance leads to glory. We do not endure in order to obtain glory but we are inspired in our endurance by the glory ahead, as Jesus was himself [Heb. 12.2]. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance This encouragement is now followed by a verse that has a serious warning. `If we deny him he will also deny us'. In Matt 10.33 Jesus said, `Whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father which is in heaven'. It is a solemn word, but Jesus will never force someone into his kingdom who does not want to go. What does, ‘if we are faithless he will remain faithful’, mean? At first reading it seems to suggest that if we lose our faith and our faithfulness we can be sure that God will still bring us to himself in the end. There are some who have abused the doctrine of election in this way, thinking that if we belong to God we can live careless, faithless lives. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 This encouragement is now followed by a verse that has a serious warning. `If we deny him he will also deny us'. In Matt 10.33 Jesus said, `Whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father which is in heaven' . It is a solemn word, but Jesus will never force someone into his kingdom who does not want to go. What does ‘if we are faithless he will remain faithful’ mean? At first reading it seems to suggest that if we lose our faith and our faithfulness we can be sure that God will still bring us to himself in the end. There are some who have abused the doctrine of election in this way, thinking that if we belong to God we can live careless, faithless lives. Presentation 04

Christian Endurance Therefore, Peter encourages us in 2 Pet. 1.3 to “make our calling and election sure”. The New Testament evidence of election is endurance and for this reason so much emphasis is placed upon it. The view that says, ‘it does not matter if we live faithless lives’, fails to reflect the warning of the previous line. Indeed, it makes the previous line completely meaningless. God’s warnings are not meaningless fictions! CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 Therefore Peter encourages us in 2 Pet. 1.3 to “make our calling and election sure”. The New Testament evidence of election is endurance and for this reason so much emphasis is placed upon it. The view that says, ‘it does not matter if we live faithless lives’, fails to reflect the warning of the previous line. Indeed, it makes the previous line meaningless. Therefore it should be understood as a reference to the faithfulness of God with regard to his warnings. God remains a faithful judge and as such 'he cannot deny himself' as the final line says. [ cf. the parable of the talents]. This may not be a comfortable interpretation but it fits into the overall context of encouragement to endure. A sobering word! Presentation 04

Conclusion This text should be understood as a reference to the faithfulness of God with regard to his warnings. God remains a faithful judge and as such 'he cannot deny himself' as the final line says. God does not sweep faithlessness under the carpet as the parable of the talents makes clear cf. Matt.25v14-30. This may not be a comfortable interpretation but it fits into the overall context of encouragement to endure. We all need such encouragement lest we take our eyes of the spiritual horizon and lose sight of the certainty of our Lords immanent return! CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE 2v8-13 Therefore Peter encourages us in 2 Pet. 1.3 to “make our calling and election sure”. The New Testament evidence of election is endurance and for this reason so much emphasis is placed upon it. The view that says, ‘it does not matter if we live faithless lives’, fails to reflect the warning of the previous line. Indeed, it makes the previous line meaningless. Therefore it should be understood as a reference to the faithfulness of God with regard to his warnings. God remains a faithful judge and as such 'he cannot deny himself' as the final line says. [ cf. the parable of the talents]. This may not be a comfortable interpretation but it fits into the overall context of encouragement to endure. A sobering word! Presentation 04