[:en]We should trust God to give us strength in doing His work. Equip disciples to pass on their faith and make disciples of others.
Paul gave 3 comparisons for us to achieve our goal of gloriying God and winning people to Christ
- As a soldier – one has to give up worldly pleasures and endure rigorous discipline
- As an athlete – one must train hard and follow the rules
- As a farmer – one must work hard and be patient
When we read God’s Word, we need to meditate on it and be receptive to His truths. It should be applied to our lives.
False teachers were giving people an incorrect view of Christ. In Timothy’s day, they asserted that Christ was divine but not human. These days, people say that Jesus is human but no divine. Either views are incorrect because Jesus is fully man and fully God. This is an important doctrine for all Christians to remember.
Paul was chained because of the gospel. The Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy did not believe that Jesus was God, but many Jews became followers of Christ. (1 Cor. 1:24)
The Romans who worshiped the emperor as god were furious when Paul said that Jesus is God. But some in Caesar’s household turned to Jesus. (Phil. 4:22) The Greeks who believed that divinity was soiled if it had contact with humanity were angered, but still many Greek accepted the faith. (Acts 11:20-21) Despite the opposition, Paul continued to preach the truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures.
A WORKMAN APPROVED OF GOD (vs. 14-26)
We are not to argue over unimportant details or having foolish discussions because such argument are confusing, useless and harmul. False teachers loved to cause strife and divisions by arguing over unimportant details. Study God’s word and understand what it means.
Build your life with His work so that you will be a workman approved by God. Avoid foolish discussions on theories that are not central to the Christian faith and life. Keep serving God.
Hymenaus taught false teachings that the resurrection had already taken place we we become a Christian. To them, resurrection was symbolic and spiritual not physical. But Paul clearly taught that believers will be resurrected after they die and that their bodies as well as their souls will live eternity with Christ
How do false teachers teach? Some distort the truth. Some dilute it, and some delete it by saying that God’s truth no longer applies. But God’s truth never changes and will never fade.
Paul warned Timothy to flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. Avoid foolish and stupid arguments because it only produce quarrels. The Lord’s servant muyst not quarrel and be kind to everyone, able to teach and not resentful. He must gently instruct those who oppose him so that God will grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.[:]