2 Timothy – Part 2

Exhortations to Timothy ~ Part 2

Importance of Doctrine

¹³ Follow the pattern of the sound teachings you have heard from me, with trust and the love which is yours in the Messiah Yeshua. ¹⁴ Keep safe the great treasure that has been entrusted to you, with the help of the Ruach HaKodesh, who lives in us.

The sound teachings, equivalent to “the faith” (1 Timothy 3:9, 16; 4:1, 6; Y’hudah 3), are the great treasure to be kept safe. This requires the Ruach HaKodesh, who is in us.

Many Turned Away

¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia turned away from me, including Phygelus and Ermogenes.

It is a short step from being ashamed (v. 8) to deserting the cause and its workers. Compare 2 Timothy 4:10, 16. Phygelus and Hermogenes are not mentioned elsewhere in the Brit Hadasah.

Onesiphorus’ Faith

¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he was often a comfort to me and was not ashamed of my being in prison. ¹⁷ On the contrary, when he came to Rome, he diligently searched for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant it to him to find mercy from Adonai on that Day. And you know very well how much he helped me in Ephesus.

The household of Onesiphorus lived in Ephesus (4:19). He exemplifies for Timothy what it means not to be ashamed of Sha’ul’s being in prison (see v. 8). May the Lord Yeshua grant it to him to find mercy from Adonai. Since only his household is mentioned, Onesiphorus himself may himself have been no longer alive. If so, this is the unique instance of prayer for the dead in the Brit Hadasah. The practice was known in Judaism; this is proved by 2 Maccabees 12:39–45, written in the 1st century BCE., and alluded to in 4:8 below.

Dedication and Discipline

2 ¹ So then, you, my son, be empowered by the grace that comes from the Messiah Yeshua. ² And the things you heard from me, which were supported by many witnesses, these things commit to faithful people, such as will be competent to teach others also. ³ Accept your share in suffering disgrace as a good soldier of the Messiah Yeshua. ⁴ No soldier on duty gets involved with civilian affairs, since he has to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Also an athlete can’t win a contest unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The farmer who has done the hard work should be the first to receive a share of the harvest. ⁷ Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will enable you to understand everything.

Four generations in the tradition-passing process: me (Sha’ul), you (Timothy), faithful people, and others also. It is not enough to know or even to teach; one must make sure that at least some of those taught will be competent to teach others also; otherwise the movement dies. To do this will require a bold stand—which brings Sha’ul back to the subject of suffering disgrace (vv. 3–7; see 1:7–8, 15–16 above).

Remembering Yeshua

⁸ Remember Yeshua the Messiah, who was raised from the dead, who was a descendant of David. This is the Good News I proclaim,

Compare Romans 1:3–4, a similar epitome of the Good News. Sha’ul’s phrase, “who was raised from the dead,” looks forward to his refuting Hymenaeus and Philetus (vv. 2:17–18).

⁹ and for which I am suffering to the point of being bound in chains—but the Word of God is not bound in chains! ¹⁰ Why do I persevere through it all? For the sake of those who have been chosen, so that they too may obtain the deliverance that comes through the Messiah Yeshua, with eternal glory. ¹¹ Here is a statement you can trust:

If we have died with Him,

we will also live with Him.

¹² If we persevere,

we will also rule with Him

If we disown Him,

He will also disown us.

¹³ If we are faithless,

He remains faithful,

for He cannot disown Himself. [1]

Like Philippians 2:6-11 and 1 Timothy 3:16, this is another hymn. Verse 11 (compare Romans 6:5) relates to the resurrection heresy of v. 18, vv. 12-13 to Timothy’s fear. If we persevere, we will rule with him, according to Revelation 3:21, 20:4. If we disown him, he will disown us, according to Mattityahu 10:33, Luke 12:8-9. Even if we are faithless, he remains faithful, true to His promises; see Romans 3:3-4, 9:6a.

In your public life, you may encounter moments when your faith feels challenged or marginalized. When faced with opposition, remember Sha’ul’s example of unwavering commitment to the Gospel. Prepare a brief personal testimony about how your faith has influenced your journey. When opportunities arise in conversations, share this with others. This act of courage can inspire those around you and create a space for further discussions about faith.

In our next post, we will continue to examine Sha’ul’s Second Letter to Timothy.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] 2 Timothy 1:13-2:13.