v1: "Be strong"; we can have every confidence because Christ is faithful. Therefore we can press on in what He has called us to. This verse provides the basis for the whole chapter.

v2: The work of God is delegated by leaders to other faithful men, so that generation after generation might be faithful. There is no concept here of a 'one-man' ministry.

Discipleship of others is vital in this process, that there might be faithful men to continue the work. We see this as something that takes place within a local church. Thus, Christ's own command to make disciples remains binding. Discipleship is an investment into the lives of individuals, to enable them to become disciple-makers.

There follow three illustrations of the Christian serving God, the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer.

v3-4: The soldier:

• enlisted and chosen by God;
• single-minded, avoids being tangled in the affairs of this life;
• desiring to please his Master;
• conscious of the conditions of warfare;
• forsaking the worldly way of life, with its interests and ambitions and attitudes;
• need for distinctiveness; and
• willing to endure hardships.

v5: The athlete:

• willing to win and to achieve;
• obeying the rules.

God has laid down the standards for our lives. We are not to use human means to achieve divine ends. There is also a reward, as in 1 Cor 9.25, 27.

v6: The farmer sees a reward. God is no man's debtor (Mark 10.28-30). He is faithful and diligent. The reward here is present, whilst v5 indicates a future reward.

v7: There is a need to consider these things, to ponder them; like clean animals, chewing the cud. Look to the Lord to apply these truths, and to give understanding. The Lord will give insight. Again, this provides truths to be passed on.

v8: Jesus Christ, raised from the dead; the ground of hope and life; and the reason for persecution. This brings strength in difficult days and patience for service. We hold fast to the truth of the resurrection, by which Jesus Christ is declared to be the Son of God (Rom 1.4).

Jesus Christ was descended from David; He was therefore a real man, who really died.

This is "my gospel", as in Rom 2.16. This is the same gospel we live by, and which we proclaim.

v9: Paul suffered persecution for the sake of the gospel of Christ. Timothy would too, and we expect to do so. But, whatever our circumstances, God's word is not bound, even though His servants are restricted in some way.

v10: Paul knew from his earliest days that there was a real cost in walking with Christ (Acts 9.16); he was prepared to endure anything that he might fulfil his ministry. The blessing of the "elect", see Rom 9.2-3; 10.1. Although Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles, his burden for the Jewish people remained. Gentiles were being saved; his prayer was that Jews would also be saved.

v11-13: Another trustworthy saying, as in 1 Tim 1.15; 3.16. This may be an early Christian hymn.

A true Christian has died with Christ, and will therefore live with Him.

As we endure this life, we receive a reward; reigning with Him.

If we disown Him, we will miss out, and He will disown us.

If we are faithless, He cannot change, for He is always faithful.

v14: See also 1 Tim 4.11. The responsibility of the leader is to constantly remind the people of the truths of Christ. There is the danger of arguments about secondary issues; words of no profit ruin the hearers. We must seek to edify and to encourage.

v15: The responsibility of the teacher:

• presented to God, being a servant of God;
• approved by God, which demands effort and commitment;
• not ashamed of his work and calling;
• makes proper preparation and delivery; and
• handle God's word properly and with dignity.

The phrase "correctly handles" (rightly divides), is a term used by a tentmaker (Paul's occupation), in preparing material to the correct size and shape. We must 'cut it straight,' in our approach to, and proclamation of the word. Such approach requires that we be expert in the material (ie: the word of God) rather than in its presentation.

v16: Godless chatter promotes godless living; what do we speak to others about? True teaching promotes godly living.

v17-18: The false message spreading. This was a real problem, for it involved real people. Worse, the faith of some was overthrown.

The particular error was related to the resurrection. Errors come in numerous forms.

v19: The solid foundation of faith in two phrases. This is the 'double seal' of God's people; our election and our sanctification. They are joined together; there is no sanctification with election; there is no election unless it manifests in sanctification. This foundation is rightly called "solid."

The Lord knows those who are His; here is assurance, our confidence in Christ.

The Christian departs from iniquity; this is the response of the true believer. The challenge to each of us is to deliberately forsake sins.

True doctrine promotes these two foundations, since it strengthens our confidence in Christ, and it causes us to depart from sins in our lives.

v20-21: We are not all the same, yet we all share the personal responsibility to serve God through Jesus Christ. We need to be cleansed from "ignoble" purposes, i.e: things which are to be despised, are full of reproach, without value, as far as God is concerned. To get rid of such things enables us to serve the Master more effectively.

v22: Compare 1 Tim 6.11; flee and pursue. Both words describe some thing urgent and important. Paul instructed Timothy to avoid those youthful desires that belonged to his past. Together with the Christians in Ephesus, the command was to pursue the things of Christ.

John Calvin comments that ‘youthful passions’ did not mean ‘adultery, drunkenness, or other dissolute actions;’ he had to urge Timothy to drink wine! He goes on to say that the most common vice among the young is presumption; ‘for young people, since they have not experienced the difficulties which are in many things, step forward boldly, for they do not count the cost of a thing; nothing is impossible for them.’ (John Calvin Sermons from Job)

v23: As in v16; avoid arguments. Some matters require that we contend for the faith (Jude 3), but where the issue is "foolish" or "stupid", we are to avoid arguing.

v24: The attitude of the servant, not quarrelsome. Others may quarrel, which promotes discord, dispute, and division. The servant of God must be kind and patient, able to teach, and teachable.

v25: Some are in opposition to godly leadership; the leader, being a servant, must carefully and humbly correct such. By this manner, the person is edified and encouraged into spiritual maturity.

v26: Like the Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5.1-20), he will come to his senses; he too was rebuked and restored by the Servant of God. A Christian who has become "captive" to the devil needs to be rescued.