2 Timothy 1 - Work Your Gift
God gave you a spirit not of fear, but of power & love & self-control. So get to work.
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2 Timothy 1 (ESV)
1 Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus
by the will of God
according to
the promise of the life
that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy,
my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace
from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God
whom I serve,
as did my ancestors,
with a clear conscience,
as I remember you
constantly in my prayers
night and day.
4 As I remember your tears,
I long to see you,
that I may be filled with joy.
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith,
a faith that dwelt first in
your grandmother Lois
and your mother Eunice
and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
6 For this reason I remind you
to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
7 for God gave us a spirit
not of fear
but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore
do not be ashamed
of the testimony about our Lord,
nor of me his prisoner,
but share in suffering for the gospel
by the power of God,
9 who saved us
and called us to a holy calling,
not because of our works
but because of his own
purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
10 and which now has been manifested
through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,
who abolished death
and brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel,
11 for which I was appointed
a preacher
and apostle
and teacher,
12 which is why I suffer as I do.
But I am not ashamed,
for
I know whom I have believed,
and I am convinced that
he is able to guard
until that day
what has been entrusted to me.
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words
that you have heard from me,
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
14 By the Holy Spirit
who dwells within us,
guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,
for he often refreshed me
and was not ashamed of my chains,
17 but when he arrived in Rome
he searched for me earnestly
and found me—
18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—
and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
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2 Timothy 1 Summary
This is likely the final letter Paul wrote. He's near the end of his life and in prison. Although his love for his beloved child (v2) is evident as Paul recalls Timothy's faith in the opening verses, this letter is much more than a stroll down memory lane.
As is often the case in Paul's letters, chapter one hinges on a key word: Therefore (v8), and in this case it makes a very interesting connection that's especially relevant for people like us.
Timothy (and most of us) have grown up in the faith having it handed down to us from previous generations, therefore we must not lean back and enjoy its benefits, rather we must:
not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord (v8)
share in suffering for the gospel (v8)
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard [read] (v13)
guard the good deposit entrusted to you (v14)
So a successful Christian life is very much dependent upon your effort and attitude!
But never forget the source of the grace which makes it possible for you to make these efforts. It comes by:
the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace (v9).
Dig Deeper
Paul gives Pastor Timothy a really interesting command:
Fan into flame the gift of God (v6)
It would seem like a guy like Timothy had already 'arrived.'
If even Pastor Timothy had to put effort into building up the fire of his faith, how much more must you and I do so?
Remember, Paul's teaching here is in tension: we must put effort into fanning the flames of our faith, but we do so with the power, love and self-discipline that the Spirit gives us (v7).
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Triune God: The Father, who gave us grace in Christ Jesus before the ages began (v9), and the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (v14)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength to follow the pattern of these sound words (v13)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: