OBEDIENCE, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PATIENCE
Allan P Grant
2 Timothy 2: 3-6
I have been thinking of the three figures that Paul uses here, a soldier, one contending in the games, and a husbandman. The background to this epistle is, as it says in the previous chapter, that all in Asia had turned away from Paul: “all who are in Asia … have turned away from me”, 2 Tim 1: 15. In this Paul represents Christ, and the truth of the mystery of Christ and the assembly, the most precious truth that was brought out through Paul. He says to Timothy, “Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner”, 1 Tim 1: 8. There were persons who were believers who were ashamed of Paul, but he refers to Timothy in this epistle as his child, chap 2: 1. The subject in this paragraph is how the testimony is to continue in life and power.
So I was just impressed with these three things that Paul refers to, a soldier, one contending in the games, and a husbandman; they suggest moral features that I think are appropriate at the present time if things are going to continue rightly according to the truth and for God's pleasure. He says, “Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”. A good soldier of Jesus Christ would reflect Christ. A soldier would be marked by subjection. The centurion in Luke's gospel refers to his soldiers as under him, “For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bondman, Do this, and he does it” chap 7: 8. Unquestioning obedience to the Lord might be suggested in the soldier. If soldiers did things according to their own will, nothing would be achieved. It says here, “No one going as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has enlisted him as a soldier”. “A good soldier” is concerned to be pleasing to the Lord, and that would be expressed in subjection to Him. Paul refers a great deal to the thought of conflict. It is interesting what he says to the Corinthians as to the arms of our warfare, “For walking in flesh, we do not war according to flesh. For the arms of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful according to God to the overthrow of strongholds; overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God, and leading captive every thought into the obedience of the Christ”, 2 Cor 10: 3-5. So the feature of obedience that marked Christ would be seen in good soldiers. In that same chapter, he is entreating them “by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ”, v 1. We might not associate these features with soldiers, but I think what would mark good soldiers of Jesus Christ would be the features of obedience and dependence that marked the Lord here. Divine power comes in as we are marked by these features. A soldier too would be able for any situation that might arise. Abraham had trained servants, ready for conflict (Gen 14: 14); not that we are always engaged in conflict, but ready to meet anything that would be against the rights of Christ. Their first consideration would be to please the Lord, being ready to obey any command from Him. So we all have a part in the conflict in some way. Paul says later in this epistle, “I have combated the good combat” chap 4: 7. He was faithful in that. He had met the efforts of the enemy, especially in this dark day. Things were publicly broken down, but he continued faithfully in the spirit of Christ; so I think these features are important at the present time.
The second thing he refers to is contending in the games. What is brought out here is that “he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully”. If sportsmen have an unfair advantage it brings disgrace, not only on themselves but on the country they represent. I think for a believer, the danger is that we might bring dishonour not only on ourselves but also on to the Lord's name. I think this thought of contending lawfully is that we would be marked by righteousness. Later in this chapter Paul says, “and pursue righteousness ...”. Paul says later that, “I have finished the race”, and he adds, “Henceforth the crown of righteousness is laid up for me”, 2 Tim 4: 7-8. Those who contended in the games were crowned. Paul says, “the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me in that day; but not only to me, but also to all who love his appearing”. I think it is attractive how Paul extends his thought of the crown of righteousness “to all who love his appearing”; that would be any true believer who loves to see Christ having His place. The thought of “the crown of righteousness”, means that we are to be marked by righteousness at the present time, the time of suffering. Scripture speaks of suffering for righteousness' sake, 1 Pet 3: 14. I think that would be something of what is included in contending lawfully.
The third thing he speaks of is the husbandman. We spoke of this on Lord's day, the labour required in sowing and reaping; “The husbandman must labour before partaking of the fruits”. One thing that is suggested in the husbandman is patience. Scripture speaks about that, “the labourer awaits the precious fruit of the earth, having patience”, James 5: 7. The result does not become apparent immediately. How Paul laboured! I think Paul expressed all these features in a particular way. He is concerned that Timothy should continue in the same way, Timothy being a child of Paul. In verse 1 he is referred to as being a child. We would all seek to be children of Paul, so that the testimony may continue on that elevated level on which Paul laboured. When he is speaking to the Corinthians he says, “But by God's grace I am what I am; and his grace, which was towards me, has not been vain; but I have laboured more abundantly than they all, but not I, but the grace of God which was with me”, 1 Cor 15: 10. He is giving the grace of God the credit. In continuing with his labour, he proved the supply of divine grace for every situation, and that is what sustained him. He was sustained by divine grace. How often he would labour without seeing much fruit, but there was fruit from his labours; there was encouragement as Paul closes that chapter, “abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord”, v 58. Timothy was engaged in this work too, and marked by the same features as Paul.
So I thought these features were important, the soldier, one who was marked by obedience, obeying whatever the word of the Lord may be, and then being marked by righteousness and also patience. The husbandman, too, is depending on God. God is the One who gives the increase. Paul says to the Corinthians, too, that he is depending on God to bring about a result.
May we be encouraged for His Name's sake.
Word in a Ministry Meeting – Dundee
23rd August 2016