Christ's Instructions

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333) 2Tim 1:13 . . Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have
heard from me.

The Greek word for "hold fast" means to clutch, cling, or adhere to.

The word for "pattern" means a sketch; viz: a blueprint, a schematic
diagram, and/or an example, i.e. a model. (e.g. 1Tim 1:16)

When Noah was commissioned to build the ark, he wasn't left clueless as to
what it was supposed to look like. God gave him a design to work with. And
when Moses was tasked to fabricate articles of worship for the Tabernacle,
he too was given designs. In other words, Moses and Noah both made
everything according to God-given specifications; viz: Christianity is a God
given religion; He has not left it to human ingenuity.

What this boils down to is that modern churches have been handed down
from Paul, and to a certain extent from Peter, a God-given pattern for their
operations. When they depart from His pattern, then they are no longer
following Christ, rather; they are attempting to revise his ways.
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334) 2Tim 1:14 . . With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us;
carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.

This probably refers to congregations whose spiritual welfare is the
responsibility of church officers. The officers found in dereliction of duty are
known as non vigilant watchdogs and self-seeking, incompetent shepherds;
for example:

● Isa 56:10-11 . . Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they
are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to
sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They
are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each
seeks his own gain. (cf. John 10:11)

So; exactly what is the "help of the Holy Spirit". Well; I'd say it's a
motivation, to the point of obsession, because I think we can safely assume
that God is never half-hearted about His business, viz: a church officer who
lacks obsession with his congregation's spiritual welfare should probably not
be in a position to influence folks in that way.
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335) 2Tim 2:2 . . And the things you have heard me say in the presence of
many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach
others.

Paul's instructions were given to Timothy "in the presence of many
witnesses" indicating that his instructions were never intended to be
privileged information for the eyes-only of an elite category of super saints.
The things he taught were transferred publicly rather than deep inside a
secret chamber whose access was restricted to an elite clique of insiders.

I also suspect that Paul sand-bagged Timothy. By instructing him in the
hearing of witnesses, Timothy could never fall back on the tiresome old
excuse of saying "I didn't know I was supposed to do that." Well, witnesses
would certainly testify that he did know what he was supposed to do
because they themselves heard Paul instruct him with their own ears.

It's a wise church that fully understands a pastor's duties and responsibilities
just in case a time comes when they need to hold his feet to the fire;
especially a complacent pastor or one that's gotten mixed up in political
activism and civil disobedience. If a church doesn't know what a pastor's
sacred obligations are, then there's no way they can know whether or not
they're getting their money's worth. In my opinion, an ignorant church is a
private pond stocked with hatchery fish.

Paul's instructions in this matter were also a practical consideration as
nobody abides forever on this earthen globe. Pastors die; that's just a fact of
life. And they also get diseases like dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
It's a wise pastor busy training his replacements so that all his knowledge
and experience isn't lost to future church generations. Abraham was
commended for this very thing.

● Gen 18:18-20 . . For I have chosen Abraham, in order that he may
command his children and his household after him to keep the way of The
Lord.
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336) 2Tim 2:3-7 . . Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ
Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-- he wants
to please his commanding officer.

A soldier's primary responsibility is to accomplish the mission assigned by
their commanders. They don't give themselves leave to abandon their posts
to go off on their own personal agenda doing other stuff. Desertion and
dereliction of duty are courts martial offenses.

These days; successful activism depends to a larger and larger extent upon
the participation of evangelical Christians; hence the smart organizers make
recruiting them and their ministers a priority; and their numbers typically
end up in a poll somewhere; thus activists utilize religion as a sort of seal of
approval for their causes; like the way professional athletes sell their names
to endorse sports apparel.

Political activism and civil disobedience may seem like every Christian
citizen's duty when a "worthy cause" comes along; but those causes can be
treacherous sirens; leading to a shipwreck of the ministry of a man ordained
to serve Christ.
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337) 2Tim 2:8 . . Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant
of David, according to my gospel

There are Bible-toting missionaries out there going door to door all over the
world teaching that Jesus Christ's crucified dead body wasn't restored to life;
they're saying it's still dead, and his remains are squirreled away somewhere
on Earth in a condition and a location known only to God.

That is NOT the kind of gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about
himself.

Others are adamantly opposed to any ideas that even so much as suggest
that Jesus Christ is one of David's paternal descendants. That too is NOT
the kind of gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about himself. In point
of fact, there is sufficient textual evidence to very easily prove that Jesus
Christ is not only David's biological offspring, but Adam's too.
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338) 2Tim 2:14 . . Command them in God's name to stop quarreling over
trifles.

In a Sean Connery movie titled "The Name Of The Rose" church dignitaries
assembled a meeting of the minds to reach a resolution on a theological
question which was: Did the Christ own the clothes that he wore or not?

Well, needless to say, the discussion turned into bickering wherein nothing
was resolved. Tempers flared, shouting ensued, feelings were hurt, and
people were alienated over the issue-- a rather superfluous issue at that.

Christians are often embroiled in arguments over things that in the grand
scheme of things have almost zero importance while all around them are
weightier matters begging their attention.

It's interesting that Paul didn't want Timothy's flock instructed to avoid
quarreling over trifles, rather, to stop. I can't help but wonder how many
Christians think to seek absolution for the sin of quarreling over trifles when
they go to God in prayer.
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339) 2Tim 2:15 . . Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Some folks construe rightly dividing the truth as instructions to keep the old
testament completely separate from the new. But that's not even close to
what Paul is instructing.

He was a blue collar tradesman: Paul fabricated portable shelters for a living
(Acts 18:3). The Greek word for "rightly dividing" means to make a straight
cut as opposed to a crooked cut; or a cut that misses the line and yields a
piece of material that's either too long, too short, or the wrong contour; thus
resulting in a tent whose pieces won't join properly when it comes time to
sew them together. The results? A distorted tent and a black mark for the
craftsman.

The intent is not one of severing the Bible in half and treating each as a
separate book, nor of breaking the new testament in two pieces with the
gospels in one and the epistles in the other; but to be accurate in the
whole's interpretations and applications so that it all fits together perfectly
from first to last, like a well made armoire instead of a hastily constructed
rabbit hutch.
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340) 2Tim 2:16 . . Avoid worldly, empty chatter; for it will lead to further
impiety.

The Greek word for "worldly" refers to heathenism, i.e. secular.

What he's talking about there are bull sessions wherein untrained people
discussing the Bible haven't a clue what they're talking about; and their
perpetual deliberations-- consisting of sophistry, conjecture, theory, and
personal opinions --never get to the bottom of anything.

Well, truth isn't meant to be learned by means of discussion; it's meant to
be learned by instruction, taught by someone especially enabled by God for
that purpose. (Eph 4:11-14)

● 1Cor 12:29 . . Are all teachers?

The answer to that is an emphatic NO.

* Some years ago I was invited to a home Bible study. Before considering
his invitation; I asked the man if his group was led by a competent Bible
teacher. He said: No; we don't have a leader. The group teaches itself. In
other words: we speak as the Spirit leads us to speak.

They say iron sharpeneth iron. But that doesn't work when both irons are
soft; all they end up doing is chafing each other. That's why files are
hardened and tempered. Well; that man's group lacked a file, so to speak;
so I declined.
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341) 2Tim 2:19 . . Let everyone who names the name of The Lord abstain
from wickedness.

The wickedness he's talking about in this particular instance regards
unskilled use of the Bible along with sophistry, conjecture, semantic double
speak, wild-eyed posits, theories, flimsy science, and lines of spiritual
rhetoric that sound very convincing but are nevertheless quite spurious.
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342) 2Tim 2:22 . . Flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith,
love and peace, with those who call on The Lord from a pure heart.

"youthful" is translated from a Greek word which, in the USA, pertains to
folks under the age of 18. But most folks are typically youthful way beyond
that age. For example middle age usually doesn't kick in till somewhere
around the age of 40 or 45.

The Greek word translated "lusts" is somewhat ambiguous. It can refer to
both inordinate longings and legitimate longings. For example; the same
word is used at Luke 22:15 referring to Christ's desire for one last Passover
with his apostles.

Two very common lusts among the 18-40 group is the longing for adventure
and the desire for one's life to count for something.

Hippies pursued love and peace but failed because they could obtain neither
except by means of promiscuity and mood-enhancing drugs like marijuana
and LSD.

A pure heart is one that's unadulterated; in other words: it's not an unholy
amalgam of good and evil.

Righteousness, Love, Peace, and Purity are all blessing-worthy.

● Matt 5:6 . . Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the compassionate

● Matt 5:8 . . Blessed are the pure in heart

● Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peaceable

The Greek word translated "blessed" means fortunate. In other words;
people lacking those four beatitudes are deprived; i.e. in a regrettable
spiritual condition.
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343) 2Tim 2:23 . . Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that
they produce debating.

Not all speculation is forbidden; only the kind that's absurd and uneducated.

I seriously doubt that 2Tim 2:23 is addressing one's IQ, but rather, the
propensity of some to shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're
talking about and/or having the slightest basis for their perspective.

So; if Christians are to refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, then they
really ought to avoid spouting their own too.

Anyway, the focus is upon debating which, at its worst, consists of running
gun battles, food fights, and perpetual bull sessions that never get to the
bottom of anything.

Academic debates are quite a bit different. Neither side interrupts the other,
nor do they shout to be heard, nor strive to get in the last word; rather,
opponents take turns presenting what they believe to be evidence
supporting their argument until there comes a sensible point in the
discussion when both sides "rest" which is a legal term for concluding all
arguments when neither side has any new evidence to submit.

Sensible discussions are peaceful and orderly whereas running gun battles,
food fights, and perpetual bull sessions typically deteriorate into quarreling,
anger, frustration, animosity, malice, reciprocity, recriminations,
accusations, antagonism, and hurt feelings.

● Phil 1:27 . . Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ.
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344) 2Tim 2:24a . . The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome

The Greek word translated bond-servant means slave; ether voluntary or
involuntary. Bond servants are different than captive slaves. A bond servant
is typically someone who's entered into a service agreement with minimal
compensation; usually to satisfy a debt.

Although the choice to translate the Greek to indicate a bond servant was
probably done so arbitrarily, it fits the Christian concept of one's allegiance
to Christ.

As regards quarreling:

Sometimes it's best to follow Han Solo's advice and let the Wookie win one.
In other words; when one is wise; two are happy. Be the wise one and pick
your fights carefully. Don't expend your energies on hot button topics; they'll
just lead to anger, frustration, demeaning comments, and flaming remarks.

Especially avoid getting into discussions with obtuse individuals driven by a
rather annoying propensity to challenge everything you say simply because
they thrive on endless questions.

Another thing: Do we really have to be right all the time? People are entitled
to a second opinion so let them have one. It's good diplomacy; which can be
defined as skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility, i.e. tact. In
other words: make an effort to not be one of those in-your-face types for
whom every disagreement is an act of war to be won at any cost.
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345) 2Tim 2:24b-26 . . The Lord's servant must . . be kind to all, apt to
teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in
opposition, if perhaps God may grant them a change of heart leading to the
knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from
the snare of the Devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

The all in "be kind to all" really should be taken to mean all in Christian
congregations rather than all in the world. The reason being, according to
Eph 4:11-16, Christ doesn't dispense his servants for the world's benefit,
rather, for his body's benefit.

For the above reason; Sunday school teachers need to treat the people in
church who oppose them with the same sympathy and consideration as they
would patients in a mental hospital who lack the faculties to know what
they're doing and/or to think for themselves; hence the instructions to be
kind, gentle, and patient because according to the last words in that
passage, those folks are entangled in a bit of paranormal activity not easily
overcome by argument.

* Compare Heb 5:2 where it's said that a high priest is able to deal gently
with those who are ignorant and are going astray.
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346) 2Tim 3:12-15 . .You, however, continue in the things you have learned
and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and
that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to
give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.

The "sacred writings" upon which Timothy cut his teeth are of course the Old
Testament's collection; which Paul affirms is useful to Christians.

● Rom 15:4 . .Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our
instruction that we, through patience and the encouragement of the
scriptures, might have hope.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "hope" means to anticipate (usually with
pleasure and confidence). In other words: this kind of hope doesn't cross its
fingers and pray for the best while in the back of its mind dreading the
worst. No; this hope speaks of having something to look forward to with the
bold unreserved expectation of obtaining it.
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347) 2Tim 4:1-2 . . I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus-- who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing
and His kingdom --preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Preaching and teaching are areas where pastors must take the reins. They
can't wait until their boards take a vote on it. No, the pastor's vote is the
only one that counts because left to themselves, congregations (and boards)
are just like any other flock of dim-witted sheep: they're prone to wander.

● 2Tim 4:3-4 . . For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but wanting to have their ears rubbed, they will accumulate for
themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires; and will turn
away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to fiction.

Once somebody adopts an error for themselves as the God's truth, they like
to hear it reinforced, over and over again so they feel good about
themselves rather than feeling like a fool for thinking a certain way.

That mindset is very difficult to correct. So, like it's said; the best remedy is
prevention; hence the instruction to "preach the word' lest by preaching
something else a pastor's congregation gets their heads full of wrong ideas,
and from then on they tune out everything that opposes those ideas and/or
fails to reinforce them.
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348) 1Tim 6:3-6 . . If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not
agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the
doctrine conforming to godliness; he is conceited and understands nothing;
but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about
words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and
constant friction between men of depraved minds and deprived of the truth.

I'm pretty sure that the "conceit" Paul wrote about is relative to self-taught
experts; with them there is no such thing as a second opinion. And like the
man said: they tend to be quarrelsome, i.e. perpetual debaters, constantly
arguing, going off on tangents, and never getting to the bottom of anything.
Their discussions (if we can call them that) are typically garnished with
denigrating comments and unkind remarks.
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349) 1Tim 6:8 . . Having food and raiment let us be content therewith.

According to 1Tim 1:1-3, this epistle wasn't written to a church, rather, it
was written to one of Paul's contemporaries-- a fellow church officer --so
when he uses a pronoun like "us" I think it's safe to assume, unless
indicated otherwise, that he's not speaking to a congregation.

Paul's instructions are handy for steering church officers away from wanting
too much out of life.

● 1Tim 6:6 . . Piety with contentment is great gain.

The Greek word for contentment is sometimes translated "sufficient". In
other words, when good is adequate, better isn't necessary. Good is easier
on budgets than better too. So then: if a church officer can get by with
things that are less than best, then he shouldn't waste time and energy
concerning himself with improving his situation; because, after all, their lives
here are transient.

● Heb 13:14 . . For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are
looking for the city that is to come.
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350) 1Tim 6:11 . . But you-- O man of God --flee these things and pursue
righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

* German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) believed
that Christian virtues, especially compassion, are an impediment to
achieving greatness; which is just another way of saying that nice guys
finish last.

The Greek word for "flee" basically means not to walk away; rather, to run
away as if for your life. (cf. 1Cor 6:18)

FAQ: What is a man of God?

REPLY: Well; first off we should point out that the Greek word for "man" in
that passage is ánthroope which refers to human existence of either gender;
so it would be far more useful to translate that phrase "person of God".
However, man of God is okay too because when the creator made humans,
he labeled both genders "man". (Gen 1:27 & Gen 5:2)

Numerous passages in the Bible identify men of God as inspired individuals,
i.e. prophets, e.g. Abel (Luke 11:49-51) Abraham (Gen 20:7) and a whole
bunch of other people too, including women; e.g. Miriam (Ex 15:20)
Deborah (Judg 4:4) Asahiah (2Kgs 22:14) and Huldah (2Chron 24:32).

Obviously then, if your church's officers aren't inspired; then they aren't
men of God; they're just ambitious individuals on a career path.

* The Greek word for patience basically means to be consistent. For
example: an employee at my work once did an unusually good job on one of
his assignments and felt he deserved a high score on his annual
performance evaluation because of it. But I pointed out that in order to be
rated high, the quality of his work had to be excellent all year rather than
occasionally.
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351) 1Tim 6:12a . . Fight the good fight of the faith.

The first Greek word translated "fight" pertains to struggle; literally to
compete for a prize. This is the kind of conflict played out in competitive
sports.

The word for "fight" pertains to a place of assembly; viz: the field of
completion; e.g. arenas, coliseums, and/or stadiums.

The object of a Christian's struggle is not so much conquest, but rather, a
prize. In Paul's day athletes won wreaths. In our day, they win medals and
lucrative contracts for product endorsements.

● 1Cor 9:24-26 . . Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but
only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And
everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

In Paul's day, there were no second-place winners; only first. When the
competition is that fierce, athletes really go all out. So Paul is saying that
Christians should battle for their reward as if there were only one gold to go
around; in other words; really put their hearts into it.

However, in order to be adjudged a good fight, the contestants, win or lose,
have to go by the book.

● 2Tim 2:5 . .When someone competes as an athlete, he does not receive
the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
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352) 1Tim 6:12b . .Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
when you made your good profession in the presence of many witnesses.

All of Christ's believing followers possess eternal life in the here and now.
Note the grammatical tense of the "have" verb in the passages below. It's in
the present tense; not future; indicating that Christ's believing followers
have eternal life right now-- no delay, and no waiting period.

● John 3:36 . . He who believes in the Son has eternal life

● John 6:47 . .Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

● John 5:24 . . I assure you, those who heed my message and trust in God
who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins,
but they have already passed from Death into Life.

● 1John 5:13 . . I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

So I think we can safely assume Paul wasn't trying to evangelize Timothy.

FAQ: Why would Paul encourage Timothy to take hold of eternal life if he
already had it?

REPLY: There's more to eternal life than only longevity. It comes bundled
with a supernatural something called the divine nature. (2Pet 1:3-4) Well,
we all pretty much know what human nature is, so that gives us a clue as to
the divine nature.

In a nutshell, Paul was wanting his friend to exercise his pastoral activities in
the power of the divine nature rather than in the power of human nature. In
other words; Paul didn't want Timothy to be just another run of the mill
career-path cleric; rather, he wanted his friend to be a minister empowered
by the person of God rather than the person of man.
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