v1: "The Spirit clearly (or 'expressly') says"; these words carry specific authority from God. Compare 1 Cor 7.10 and contrast 1 Cor 7.25. Here, God has clearly revealed His mind; He is the Holy Spirit of Truth.

The Holy Spirit of Truth revealed false teaching to come. This is a characteristic of "later times". What Paul and Timothy had experienced was a foretaste of this.

Some will abandon the faith; those who once professed faith will either reject or neglect the faith.

They will follow deceiving spirits; one obvious example is the use of occultic practices (for example in Nah 3.4), but many others will deceive (Matt 24.4-5).

They will follow things taught by demons (doctrines of demons), instead of the doctrines of Christ; the origin of such teaching is demonic; and the people will prefer lies to the truth.

The leader's responsibility is to point these things out (v6), exposing error and proclaiming the truths of Christ. Our first authority is the Bible, which is utterly true. We must be discerning in the face of deceit, and avoiding occultic practices.

v2: Their lies are hypocritical and habitual; plausible words that deceive, taking people away from the Lord (Ezek 11.15).

A seared conscience; without feeling, devoid of moral standards, spiritually dead.

v3: These false teachers will bring burdens that no man can bear; forbidding marriage, and commanding abstinence from certain foods. They thus emphasise the physical, and neglect the spiritual, pursuing legalism (Col 2.16, 21). Marriage and food are part of life; we should receive both with thanksgiving. Such asceticism as is promoted is not the way of faith.

Notice that legalism, the emphasis in this verse, is a 'doctrine of demons.' Indeed, in his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes his strongest words. We might say that legalism is a greater enemy than idolatry.

v4: It may have been that the Jewish background of some meant that they refused certain foods. Things had changed, since nothing is to be refused; to the pure all things are pure (Titus 1.15). Peter had had to learn this (see Acts 10); "God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean" (Acts 10.28). John Stott; ‘Everything is “sacred” in the sense that it belongs to God, and nothing is “secular” in the sense that God is excluded from it.’ (Issues Facing Christians Today); God still pronounces all things good.

v5: Whatever their history, things are sanctified for us, because we are also sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

v6: The responsibility of the true leader, to teach and to warn the brethren. Timothy had received the truth, he had been brought up in the words of truth, and in sound doctrine. Having followed such teaching in his own life, he now had to encourage others to do likewise.

Like Paul and Timothy, we have to deal with false doctrine; deceiving spirits (as in v1), and those who claim spiritual authority (2 Thess 2.1-2); in response we seek the unchanging truth of Christ (1 John 4.1).

v7: We reject certain things, godless myths, fables made up by unspiritual men; this demands that we accurately discern such things. Such things are solutions to life that leave God out.

Our aim must be godliness, as an athlete pursues a victory. Timothy, being a Greek, would appreciate the value of physical exercise, and therefore the meaning of Paul's metaphor.

v8: Paul's athletic metaphor continues;

• physical exercise is not rejected, but put into a context. Godliness has lasting and eternal relevance;
• the aim of exercise is improved performance; a desire to please God, and a hatred of those things which displease Him;
• the nature of exercise is effort and commitment, devoting ourselves to Christ (v13,15);
• the fruit of exercise is achievement and reward, the promise of life; enjoying Christ today and tomorrow.

v9: Things that are true demand our acceptance and obedience.

v10: We press on, making every effort to be faithful, confident in God our Saviour. We also suffer reproach, because we are committed to obeying the Lord. There is no gain without pain. We trust in God.

The salvation, which is something that continues, is available to all.

v11-16: Paul set down 'spiritual exercises' for Timothy; through which he would save himself and those who heard him.

v11: What Paul had taught Timothy must also be passed on (2 Tim 2.2).

v12: Blamelessness; not to let others look down on him; not to give reason for others to despise him.

The necessity of an example; something Christ-like, personal, and consistent;

• in speech (word), in his ministry;
• in life (conduct), in his actions;
• in love, in his attitude to others;
• in spirit, in his spiritual character;
• in faith, believing God;
• in purity, careful in his behaviour.

v13: Scripture is essential for our understanding of Jesus Christ and His ways. The first command is to the public reading of Scripture, which makes the whole church familiar with God's word. Second, Timothy must preach and teach, applying and explaining Scripture.

v14: The next command is for Timothy to use the gifts that God had given him; not indiscriminately (1 Cor 14.20-25), but in blessing others. There was a specific time, which Timothy knew, when he was specially gifted by God; his remembrance of that time must spur him on to use that gift.

For Timothy also there was prophecy and the laying on of hands. For others there may not be such a specific time; but even so, God has gifted each one, and therefore each one must serve Him.

v15: Meditate, giving time to considering his service and life. "Give yourself wholly", in whole-hearted commitment. Make "progress", an evidence of the effort put in.

v16: Personal watchfulness; we are all subject to temptations and pressures. We must guard ourselves against anything that would bring us down. We must watch the doctrine, and stay faithful to the truth. We must continue, carrying on in all these things.

Paul's argument here reflects the authenticity of his leadership. He says "watch your life" simply because he does the same.

The promised blessing; "you will save"; keeping oneself and others from erring and falling. 'Salvation' is used in the sense of putting one's faith in Jesus Christ; but also in an ongoing sense. The first is to be saved from the penalty of sin in our lives; the second is to be saved from the power of sin in our lives.