2 Timothy 2:1-13 Questions 1-3

 1. What is Paul's overall point in the passage? (i.e. what is he talking about?). Why does he say this point here?

"Be strengthened to suffer for the gospel". 

"Strengthened by Christ, continue working hard for the gospel"

 "Be strengthened, share in suffering, endure everything"

" Work hard and persevere for the gospel."

"Do not be afraid to suffer for the gospel"

Why does Paul raise this point here. He has talked about guarding the gospel and not being ashamed of it earlier. He will later talk about the spiritual qualities of those who are faithful in living for the gospel.

Timothy is called to suffer (v.3) as Paul suffers (v.9) and to endure (v.1) as Paul endures (v.10)

2. In 1:15-18, Paul describes the actions of some Christians. Many have deserted him, but not Onesiphorus. Why do you think Paul inserted these comments and prayer between 1:1-14 and 2:1-13?

Paul talked about those who were ashamed and not ashamed of the gospel, because they were not willing and willing to suffer for it respectively. The men Paul talked about are negative and positive examples to Timothy.

3. Fulfilling the commission Paul talks about requires 'grace'. How does God's servant appropriate ("taking something and using it for a purpose") His grace?

Grace is 'unmerited favour' - unearned, undeserved and therefore unpayable. It is not to be taken for granted, so that there is a casual attitude to sin (Ro 6:2). We work hard because of grace (1 Cor 15:10)

I see the pictures of the single-minded commitment of the soldier, the discipline of the athlete and the hard work of the farmer are features of people who live by grace.These are individuals who focus on their respective roles. However, I am not sure that exhibiting these qualities is how we take/get grace and let it change our lives.

So how do we live by grace? We appropriate grace by asking for it in prayer and maintaining the right attitude to grace of 1) unreserved trust 2) joyful thanksgiving..

How are we "strengthened by God's grace"? (c.f. Heb 13:9, "it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by food"). There is a certain appetite We are to develop and grow in the right attitudes to life in the face of God's grace. This enables us to face trials (c.f. 2 Cor 12:9, "my grace is sufficient for you").

What attitudes can keep a person from using the grace available to him?

• Gal 5:4 "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace." - Legalism = A dependence on keeping the law as an end in itself, without following the intent (spirit) of the law. It relies on external works to be in favour with God. It can be seen as an attempt to add something to the finished work of Christ. This also includes the tendency to define as God's law something that is not.
• Heb 4:16 " Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Reluctance or fearfulness. We may feel unworthy or too proud to come to God.
  
• 1 Pe 5:5 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” - Pride, manifesting in self-sufficiency.

What attitudes toward one's work should result from working by God's grace?

• We show grace to others.
• We face difficulties with a spirit of joy and thankfulness.
• We work as to the Lord "heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Col 3:23) since He is the centre of all we have received.anyway.
• We do not become proud when we receive praise, since all comes from God's hand.
• Our challenges will not exhaust God's provision of grace. We should pray before work as an expression of dependence.

In the light of the recent Islamic terrorist incidents in France, I thought it is fruitful for us to consider why Christians seem to have a high degree of tolerance for blasphemous statements and artworks against our Lord Jesus.Why do we not respond with anger a burning sense of righteous indignation? (True) Christians seldom (if ever) react to religious provocation with killing and acts of terror against the perpetrators.

I think that there are a few reasons that are intrinsic to our faith (i.e. we don't do these things because of our core beliefs, not because of inconvenience or fear of legal punishment).

1. Mohammed was militarily triumphant. Jesus was crucified. He said that his kingdom was "not of this world". Christ, it seems, is not concerned with external appearances as much as final accomplishment of His immutable designs
   
2. Christians are called to suffer as Christ suffered, so we accept that we are martryed because of the will of evil men, not in order to gain further rewards in the afterlife or to strike a blow against the earthly enemies of God.
3. Jesus taught love even for enemies.
4. We trust that God will be the final judge of all men for their misdeeds. All who blaspheme Him will then be judged fully and justly by Him. We need not do so on His behalf.

 

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