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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
2:14-3:9 Dealing with False Teachers. These verses divide into two sections. In 2:14-26 Paul introduces the false teaching (v. 16) and explains how Timothy should respond to it and be different from the false teachers. In 3:1-9 he describes the false teachers more extensively. Having exhorted Timothy to steadfast endurance, Paul now begins to address the problem directly.
2:14-26 Timothy in Contrast to the False Teachers. Paul contrasts Timothy and the false teachers: vv. 14-19 contrast Timothy's faithful ministry with the worthless ministry of the opponents; vv. 20-21 provide an illustration; in vv. 22-26 Paul exhorts Timothy not to be drawn into sinful desire and needless controversy, and counsels him on how to handle his opponents.
2:14 Remind them. Thus far in the letter Timothy has been the primary object of the exhortations and the one who is to "remember" (v. 8). Here Paul shifts to Timothy's role in reminding the congregation. not to quarrel about words. Paul is clearly willing to argue when the gospel is at stake--he opposed Peter to his face (Gal. 2:11). What is prohibited here is meaningless argument. does no good. The concern here, as in 1 Timothy, is a teaching that has no positive, practical impact on its adherents (see 2 Tim. 2:16-17).
2:15 Do your best, i.e., "Be zealous" (Gk. spoudazō). The believer must zealously pursue God's approval. One way to do this is to make sure one is rightly handling Scripture, which contrasts with the meaningless disputes of the false teachers.
2:17 spread like gangrene. This Greek idiom stresses the repulsiveness of the false view as well as the danger of its spreading. Medical imagery is used to describe the bad effects of the false teaching in contrast to the "healthy" or "sound" teaching of Paul (see note on 1 Tim. 1:10; also 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). Hymenaeus was mentioned as a false teacher in 1 Tim. 1:20, but Philetus is not mentioned elsewhere.
2:18 The idea that the resurrection has already happened seems similar to some errors Paul counters in 1 Corinthians 15 (see esp. 1 Cor. 15:12-20). Apparently some taught that believers had already entered the glorified post-resurrection state; although nothing more is known about the content of this heresy.
2:19 But. In spite of the work of evildoers and evil teachers, God's firm foundation (probably meaning the elect members of the church; see v. 10) still stands firm. bearing this seal. The twofold inscription that follows emphasizes
2:20-21 Paul uses an illustration to support his call to "depart from iniquity" (v. 19). What is dishonorable includes doctrinal and moral error, since both are in view in the letter. Those who depart from such errors and avoid impurity in their lives prepare themselves to be useful to the master and ready for every good work. This is a promise of blessing in the pursuit of holiness.
2:22 youthful passions. "Passions" (Gk. epithymia) in this context refers to sinful desires in general (not only sexual desire), especially those that tend to be characteristic of youth. Paul may hint in vv. 23-25 that one of these would be a tendency to quarrel or be hotheaded. The command to flee what is wrong is combined with the command to pursue what is right (cf. note on 1 Tim. 6:11-12). The pursuit of right is not to be done alone but along with other believers. Connection with the community of faith is essential for both progress in sanctification and perseverance in the faith.
2:24 Servant is the common word for "slave" or "bondservant" (Gk. doulos), but Paul uses it also to refer to those who preach the gospel, e.g., himself (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Titus 1:1) and Epaphras (Col. 4:12). This section (2 Tim. 2:24-26) is a key passage concerning a pastor's handling of troublesome people in the church.
2:25 Most interpreters see these opponents as unbelievers who do not have a knowledge of the truth (i.e., salvation; cf. note on 1 Tim. 2:4). Paul emphasizes the importance of not dealing with such "quarrelsome" people in a "quarrelsome" manner (2 Tim. 2:24) but rather correcting the opponents in a spirit of gentleness (2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 6:1; Eph. 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:15; cf. gentleness as a fruit of the spirit; Gal. 5:23). This verse further emphasizes the sovereignty of God in granting repentance.
2:26 come to their senses. Although the fall (Genesis 3) brought about a destructive effect on human reason (see notes on Rom. 1:21; 1:22), salvation brings the ability to begin to see reality. Paul's regular reference to the false teachers' lack of knowledge and understanding (e.g., 2 Tim. 2:16, 23; 3:8) points to the fact that they fail to grasp what is really true. the snare of the devil. Paul often describes humanity as enslaved by the devil and in need of rescue (see 2 Cor. 4:4).
