Be Loyal
2 Timothy 1:3-18
“Pass it on” is the title of this new unit of study based in 2 Timothy. Paul wrote this second pastoral epistle to Timothy while imprisoned in Rome (AD 63-64). He does so to encourage his young partner in ministry to remain faithful to the Lord and to His work. We can learn a great deal from this letter about how to remain loyal to Christ, regardless of the struggles we face. Chapter 1 provides at least four helpful keys to remaining faithful:
1. Remember your spiritual heritage (2 Timothy 1:3-8). Following a greeting similar to the one introducing his first letter, the apostle reminds Timothy of his godly heritage and of his being set aside for ministry. Remembering our spiritual heritage will help us remain loyal to Christ. Paul also reminds Timothy that God has equipped him with the Holy Spirit to enable him to do whatever task God gives. The Lord’s work is a spiritual work and must be done in the power of the Spirit in order to be effective.
2. Remember the greatness of salvation (2 Timothy 1:9-10). The God whose power saved Paul and Timothy provided them with the strength needed to be loyal to Him. Recalling the greatness of God and His salvation will help us in our commitment to the Lord. Also, we will be encouraged if we remember salvation includes a bright eternity because of Christ, who has defeated death and “showed us the way to everlasting life through the Good News” (NLT).
3. Follow those who are unashamed (2 Timothy 1:11-15). Once again, the apostle holds up his own life as an example to Timothy as he did in his previous letter (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Paul is not boasting in this; rather, he is seeking to help this young preacher in his life and ministry. Keep in mind that Timothy’s generation had very few examples to look to as guides for how to follow Christ. The Lord places godly people in our paths to encourage us to be loyal and unashamed. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that we must ultimately live out through the power of the Holy Spirit as we learn from their example.
4. Support those who are unashamed (2 Timothy 1:16-18). Onesiphorus is one of those unsung heroes in Christian history. He had risked his life for Paul and the advancement of the gospel. Some scholars think he may have lost his life in the process. While all we know of him is the information recorded in 2 Timothy, heaven knows him for sure! Paul supported him with his affirmation and prayers. One of the ways by which we show our loyalty to Christ is by recognizing those who are unashamed of our Lord and then lifting them to God’s throne in prayer.
Clark– Lessons in the ETB series for the spring quarter are being written by Tim Clark, pastor of Holly Springs Baptist Church, Inman.