2 Timothy Introduction

2 TIMOTHY.   L.H.Brough.

Introduction:

 

Dominating this Epistle is the idea that Timothy has been given a special ministry. 

The Epistle is a charter of a special ministry given to Timothy.  The Epistle is laden with instructions for Timothy to direct him in the fulfilment of a ministry given to him.  We would like to know more about this special charge given to him.  The First Epistle makes references to prophecies spoken about him and also a laying on of hands of the Presbytery or Oversight.  Some special charge was given to him.  He was to represent Paul and succeed him. 

           

This Epistle is an epistle of "the Ministry of the Word."  The ministry given to Timothy is supremely, "a ministry of the Word."  This thought that the ministry given to Timothy is a "Ministry of the Word," vibrates (thunders) through all the thought of the Epistle.  Timothy is a minister of the Word.  Even the third chapter is dominated with this idea, for the third chapter is concerned about the result of the refusal to listen to the ministry of the Word of God. 

           

The ‘signs of the last days' are the results of rejecting the Word of God.  Only the preaching of the Word can save us from such evil.

           

Preaching the Word.  To Timothy is given a charge to preach the Word.  In this matter Timothy appears as a representative man.  Timothy was to discover other men, trustworthy men, whom he must teach that they also may teach others.  There must be a succession of “Timothy’s – men” conscious of a solemn charge to preserve and preach the Truth.  The charge given to Timothy was to be transmitted.  It would almost appear that there is an apostolic succession.  But it is an apostolic succession to preach the Word.  This thought of a charge to preserve and preach the Word, runs through the epistle. 

           

The preaching of false teachers is contrasted with that of the Christian teachers.  The Christian teacher is to hold fast to the pattern of sound words (1:13), whilst those of the false teachers are empty babblings (2:16).

           

False Teachers.  Their empty words (2:16; see 2:14).  Their words do not feed the flock, but they feed upon the Christian community.  The unhealthy nature of their words is indicated in `gaggraina' (2:17).  Their hearers have "itchy ears," (4:3).

           

The Christian Minister.  Paul defines his own ministry in three terms, or as threefold, (2.Tim.1:11): a Preacher (a herald), an Apostle, and a Teacher. The Christian Minister is entrusted with a charge. (1:14).

           

The Word of God must be preached in a straightforward manner (2:15).  We must rightly handle and set forth the Word of Truth. (2:15). The Holy Scriptures form the equipment of the man of God, and they are sufficient to thoroughly furnish him for his ministries. Timothy is specifically charged to preach the Word (4:2).  The minister must hold fast to the pattern of healthy words (1:13).  The Christian teacher must instruct in a spirit of meekness (2:25).

           

The Great House.  2:20, 21.   These verses have often been called in the support certain church views.  The Anglicans regard the `great house' as the visible church and argue that this verse supports their practice of having saved and unsaved members.  But, if the vessels of dishonour represent saved and unsaved members in the church, then from this point of view we must interpret verse 21 to mean that the vessels of honour (the saved) must thoroughly separate themselves from the vessels of dishonour  (the unsaved).  The Anglicans emphasis verse 20 and discover there support for the mixing of saved and unsaved in church life.

           

J.N.Darby, emphasized verse 21 and found there grounds for separation from the great house of Christendom.  But the verse gives little ground for that view.  After all, nothing is said about leaving the great house. It is obvious that to build any ecclesiastical doctrine upon this verse is not what Paul intended.  These two verses point to personal and inward holiness as necessary to Christian service.

           

Verse 20 arises out of the statement in verse 19, "Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."  And they follow on to verse 22 with its list of practical values.  Therefore what is the meaning of these verses?

           

`In a great house' i.e. in any great house.  Many people in those days had great houses.  In such a house there are many vessels.  Many kinds of vessels - made of various materials and made for various uses.  Some, especially those of gold and silver, are made to be used for purposes that are more highly esteemed and are brought out in more important occasions.  Others, made of wood and earthenware are less honourable.  It is not that they are used every day and not only on important times.  They are used in menial tasks and for ordinary everyday purposes.  They may be more useful, but less honoured or esteemed.  They are not costly vessels.  If one is broken it would not be difficult to replace it.  So we have costly vessels and not so costly vessels.  The contrast is not between a thing of honour (costly) and a thing of without honour (low-cost). 

           

Paul is not building any truth upon the house, but he wishes to teach us how we can become vessels of honour.  The mention of the house and of the vessels of dishonour are mentioned incidently to this.  They have no spiritual significance.  The point that he wishes to make is that we may become vessels of honour.

           

We cannot choose what we should be made of.  We cannot help it if we are only earthen-ware and not gold.  The service that we do may not be highly esteemed by men.  They may not count us as vessels of honour.  Your Christian service may be of a humble kind.  But each of us, if we thoroughly cleanse ourselves from all unrighteousness and from every stain, shall be counted as vessels to honour.  Like the soldier, whose reward was to please his commander, so it is sufficient honour to be of use unto the master, sanctified and ready for every Christian work.  Our service may be humble insignificant in men's eyes, but if done with consecration to the Lord, we shall be vessels of honour. 

           

From our study of these two verses we conclude that they are of a very practical nature.  Moral fitness is essential to Christian service.  The vessels of the Lord must be clean.

           

2:21.  "If any," here is a call to every Christian.  It is not for Timothy alone.  At the same time it is individual and personal. 

           

"Cleanse himself."  The word signifies "to cleanse thoroughly."  It is a strong word, yet Darby's translation does not seem to be justified.  Darby translates, "shall have purified himself from them."  Lock would appear to support Darby, for Lock gives the sense as, "Keep himself completely, (ek), pure by separation from these,"   i.e. from the vessels to dishonour.  But Simpson says that the verb has the idea of "rinsing out."  It is a complete cleansing from evil.

           

Personal holiness is most essential for the servant of the Lord.  This verse puts before the would-be servant of the Lord the need of personal cleansing from every defilement and defiling influence.  Deut.26:13 (LXX) might suggest separation from "the house."  But in 2 Tim 2:21, I think it means separation from defiling influences.  I do not suggest that there is no respect in which we are to separate from persons.  Evil communications do corrupt good manners.  Separation from evil ways often means, or necessitates, separation from evil persons.  We must take a firm stand against false teachers.  Separation from evil invariably means some measure of separation from evil men.

           

`Ekkathairo', is a strong word.  The strength of the word would suggest that it refers to separation from evil things, rather than separation from men.  A total and thorough separation from men seems unreasonable.  But a call to thorough separation from evil things seems reasonable.

           

"A vessel of honour," no matter how humble his service, it may appear to lack honour.  It may be small in men's eyes, yet, if he is a clean vessel, he shall be counted a vessel unto honour.

"Sanctified."  Yes, hallowed.  A sacred vessel devoted to the Lord's service. 

"Meet," i.e. useful, serviceable. We all desire to be of use to the Master.  Souter says that `despotes' is a master; particularly a master and owner of slaves.

"Every good work" - especially Christian service, but it must not be limited to what is specifically Christian service, although all our service is to be done to the Lord and so, in that sense, all is Christian service.

"Prepared," i.e. made ready for every good work.