2 Timothy 2:15-19
Pastoral Epistles
Lesson 8 Part 8
2 Timothy 2:15-19
Introduction: We enter now on obedience to the scripture that is changed in every so-called updated bible. This is the only place in Scripture where we are told to “study” God’s word. Who would want to remove that????
- “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
- “Study” a work in itself (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
- Previous Timothy called to suffer, now he is called to his work.
- The job of all pastors begins here.
- Requires:
- Read (Deuteronomy 17:19)
- Believe (Psalms 119:160)
- Meditate (Psalms 119:15)
- Pray over (Psalms 119:18, 34)
- Look for doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Previous Timothy called to suffer, now he is called to his work.
- “to shew thyself approved unto God” (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:18)
- The goal of every preacher (God’s approval) (Matthew 25:23; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Hebrews 11:5-6)
- “a workman”
- Preachers must accomplish their given work (Example John 21:21-22)
- “needeth not to be ashamed”
- In contrast to those who corrupt the words of God (2 Corinthians 2:17)
- “rightly dividing the word of truth”
- “Cut straight”
- Note there are definite divisions (Things that are different are not the same)
- Right division absolutely necessary to understand scripture.
- Example: OT NT
- Not in the business of inventing but in the business of delivering (2 Timothy 4:2)
- “truth” (Psalms 119:160)
- “Study” a work in itself (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
- “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:16)
- “shun” stay clear
- “profane and vain babblings”
- The teachings of men (Titus 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4; 4:7; 6:20; Colossians 2:8)
- “And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;” (2 Timothy 2:17)
- “eat as doth a canker” (like cancer)
- “Hymenaeus and Philetus;” (false teachers in the church)
- Paul turned over to satan for the destruction of the flesh (1 Timothy 1:20)
- Overthrow the faith of some (1 Timothy 1:18)
- Paul turned over to satan for the destruction of the flesh (1 Timothy 1:20)
- “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:18)
- “concerning the truth have erred”
- Erring from the truth is sin.
- Note: they erred concerning “THE TRUTH”
- The truth they had erred from:
- Erring from the truth is sin.
- “saying that the resurrection is past already”
- Denial of the resurrection is a corrupting doctrine
- The defense of which is found clearly and plainly in 1 Corinthians 15.
- The doctrine of the resurrection is the foundation of the Gospel message (no resurrection no gospel.)
- Corrupted the interpretation of the clear teaching of Scripture.
- The first resurrection is physical (Rev. 20:2-5), future, is not the second resurrection (which is also future) (Rev. 20:11-15)
- “The King is Coming” basically teaches a general resurrection.
- “overthrow the faith of some”
- To overthrow is to take by force.
- The fruit of erring from the truth.
- “Error is productive, it spreads like wildfire, destroys the faith of some”
- “concerning the truth have erred”
- “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19)
- “the foundation of God”
- Christ and the Apostles (Eph. 2:20; 1 Cor. 3:11)
- Context is someone’s faith being overthrown compared to a faith which cannot be overthrown.
- The faith that God laid (1 Tim. 1:2, 4, 19; 2 Tim. 3:8; 4:7; Tit. 1:1,4)
- The faith of our God is secure.
- “having this seal”
- First seal comforts: “the Lord knoweth them that are his”
- He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5)
- He has sealed us (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22)
- He knows us (John 10:14)
- First seal comforts: “the Lord knoweth them that are his”
- “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
- Response to the Lord’s seal upon us is departing from iniquity.
- Leave the paths of sin.
- This is my duty as His purchased possession (1 Corinthians 6:20)
- Response to the Lord’s seal upon us is departing from iniquity.
- “the foundation of God”
Conclusion: So let us do our duty to God and glorify the One that bought us out of the slave market of sin.
In our next study we will consider, to begin with, the vessels in the household.