Writings

Wednesday, 14 March 2018

The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 2 Timothy 1:16

In the preceding verse, Paul spoke of those who had turned away from him – Phygellus and Hermogenes. Now he contrasts their faithlessness to the faithfulness of Onesiphorus. He is mentioned only here, and in 2 Timothy 4:19. In both instances, Paul writes of “the household of Onesiphorus.” For this reason, some scholars feel Paul is conveying that he is now dead, and he is asking for mercy upon his household. Others disagree, and say that he was still living (citing verse 18 as a proof) and that he was simply absent from his home at this time.

The reason for supporting the second view is because Paul’s words of verse 18 almost sound like a prayer for him. If this is so, then it would supposedly be evidence that one can pray for the dead. However, Paul’s words in that verse are no different than anyone else who simply refers to the dead in a manner similar to this. It is not necessarily a prayer, but an acknowledgment that their lives were well lived and we are entrusting their judgment to the Lord’s wise discernment.

Either way, living or dead, Paul desires that “The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus.” He trusts that the benefit of mercy hoped for because of Onesiphorus’ life and actions be granted upon his whole household. And the specific reasons for this are given by Paul:

1) For he often refreshed me. Onesiphorus was kind to Paul, ministering to him while others had abandoned him. He lifted Paul up when things were grim and difficult. It is reflective of the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:26 which say, “I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”

2) [He] was not ashamed of my chain. Paul was a prisoner for the sake of the gospel, but this meant that he was an enemy of the empire. By tending to him as a prisoner in this capacity, Onesiphorus was aligning himself with Paul, and he was thus risking himself in the process. And yet, he was more concerned about Christian charity for Paul than he was for his own safety. While others walked away, Onesiphorus stuck fast to his duty to the chained apostle.

Life application: How faithful are you willing to be to those who have been faithful to the Lord? There may be a time when Christian friends are sick at home, laid up in the hospital, or facing some sort of trial or difficulty. Are you ready to refresh them in their time of distress? Or will a simple post on Facebook, hoping for them to get better, be the extent of your effort? People do remember such things. When your time of trouble comes, they will probably respond in kind to how you extend yourself for them.

Lord God, help us to be willing to do more than just post a note on Facebook when friends are having trouble. Give us the sense to reach out to them personally, and to offer help as they may need it. A call and a prayer with someone is surely something that will help them to readjust and refocus. And a personal visit, when possible, shows that we care enough to go out of our way for them. Give us wisdom in this, O Lord, and help us to be people who demonstrate love with more than just platitudes. Amen.

Tuesday, 13 March 2018

This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 2 Timothy 1:15

“This you know” introduces a new thought which will be explained as he writes the verse, but it shows that Timothy is already aware of the matter which Paul will relay. The specific thing is “that all those in Asia have turned away from me.” The area of Asia is not what we think of as “Asia” in the modern sense. Rather, it is a vague description for the churches around Lydia, Mysia, Phrygia, and so on. It could also be speaking of the area referred to in Revelation 1:4. If so, it includes Ephesus where Timothy is at as Paul writes. With that in mind, he says that in this area everyone had turned away from him.

It is obvious that this was not the case in the absolute sense. Entire churches had not turned from Paul, and Timothy was in Ephesus receiving Paul’s letters. And so what it is believed to mean is that Paul, in prison in Rome, was accompanied by representatives from Asia. In their time with him, they had turned away from him. Although entirely conjecture, it is believed by some scholars that they had been sent to Rome to testify of Paul’s character, but due to the increased pressure on Christians, and the possibility that they too could be caught up in the persecution and imprisonment, they had turned away from him. They were unwilling to stand and defend him in order to save their own skin. This certainly seems likely, and it gives a good reason why Timothy would already be aware of it.

Paul then names two of these offenders, Phygellus and Hermogenes. This is the only time these two are mentioned in Scripture, and so nothing more is known about them. However, Phygellus’ name comes from the word pheugó, meaning to flee, or shun. What an appropriate name for the situation. Hermogenes comes from two words. The first is Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods. The second is a word meaning “come into being.” In essence, “born of Hermes.” Did Paul choose to name him here to indicate that he was more of a herald to Hermes than he was of one for Christ? He chose two names out of all of the people who had deserted him, maybe in order to tie their names into their actions. Either way, it is probable that Timothy personally knew them because Paul has mentioned them by name.

Life application: Your life is being recorded, and you will be remembered for something. In this verse, the only remembrance of these two people is that they were unwilling to stay with Paul, but instead turned away from him. This is the entire record of their lives. If you are to be remembered, and you will be, what is it that people will say about you?

Lord God, when our lives are up and our actions have been recorded, what will be the thing we are most remembered for? Help us to live our lives out in a manner which will first and foremost be remembered for being Your faithful servants. What else is of any value at all? In the end, all came from You, and all things are Yours. To have been willing to follow You, honor You, and proclaim You is the greatest testimony of all. Help us to live this out in the short lives we have been given. Amen.

Monday, 12 March 2018

That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 2 Timothy 1:14

The words here reflect the same thought as that of 1 Timothy 6:20 – “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust.” This “good thing” is the gospel message of Christ and all that is rightly associated with it. It includes proper doctrine, teaching in love, fleeing unrighteousness, etc. Paul is imploring Timothy to be a man of God who proclaims the word of God which speaks of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul tells Timothy, “This was committed to you.”

Paul had personally laid his hands upon Timothy (along with other elders as is noted in 1 Timothy 4:14), and he had entrusted to him the responsibility of the most important treasure any person could ever possess. Having it so committed to him, Timothy is now implored to “keep by the Holy Spirit” this good thing.

Men of God wrote the word of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. As this is so, it is only right to entrust the Holy Spirit to be the one to secure it rightly in ourselves. The word “keep” signifies “having an eye on.” It refers “to the uninterrupted vigilance shepherds show in keeping their flocks” (HELPS Word Studies). Man’s mind is prone to wander, his thoughts are corrupted by the sin nature, and his ability to discern what is right is influenced by his character and presuppositions. In order to keep the gospel pure an untainted, a total reliance on the Holy Spirit is necessary.

When Scripture was written, it was done by the direct influence of God. Therefore, the direct influence of God, without all of those limitations of man, is necessary to rightly discern its meaning. And this isn’t something which must be sought out and groped for. Instead, Paul says that the Holy Spirit “dwells in us.”

This is to be taken in the limited sense of “believers” only. A person who has not received Jesus Christ does not have the Holy Spirit in him. However, upon belief, the Holy Spirit seals the believer (Ephesians 1:13, 14). From that moment, we are to grow in fellowship. This is done by being “filled with the Spirit,” a passive action. We are to yield, and the Spirit will fill. In this, Timothy will be able to properly keep that which is entrusted to him, and each believer will be able to move into a closer relationship with God. But this process can also be quenched. Therefore, the admonition here is for Timothy to always fan the flame and be intimately connected to God through yielding to the Spirit. In this, he will certainly keep that which is entrusted to him.

Life application: No person is immune from quenching the Spirit. In fact, as long as we are in these mortal bodies, it is the default position. We must yield to the Spirit, and in so doing we will be filled. Eventually, if we pursue righteousness, the default position moves closer and closer to a full connection with the Spirit. But this bond can still be quenched, and so we must always remain on guard in this matter.

Lord God, as believers in Christ, help us to keep the precious deposit which has been entrusted to us. May we yield to Your Spirit, being filled even to overflowing with Your presence. May there always be more of You and less of us evident to this dark world. And when we stray, call us back to You. Surely we are prone to wander, and so keep us from this. This we petition in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sunday, 11 March 2018

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13

Paul now exhorts Timothy to go further than he has thus far. He has been implored to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord (v.8), but now he is told that a “pattern” has been laid down in order to do this. The word is found only here and in 1 Timothy 1:16. It indicates an outline, or a sketch. Thus, Paul is telling Timothy that he has been given an outline already that he is to not deviate from. He says this with, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words.” Timothy’s ears have received the necessary pattern from Paul which he was then to follow. As he says further, “which you have heard from me.”

While Paul and Timothy traveled, evangelized, and taught, Timothy learned the outline of sound doctrine from his mentor. He had also encountered the Judaizers and false teachers who would tear the flock away from the simple gospel which is found in Christ Jesus the Lord. But Paul seems to indicate now that Timothy himself is susceptible to being led astray – and it is so. This is not just a warning for Timothy, but for all. It is as natural as breathing to want to include oneself in any such equation. But the gospel – from beginning to end – must be about Christ alone. Paul’s exhortation is a simple, but forceful, reminder that there is a pattern which has been set, and which needs to be held fast to. There is to be no wavering from it, and no going outside the lines which have been carefully laid down for those of the faith.

And further, Paul encourages him to hold fast to it “in faith.” One can teach about Jesus without faith. Even a person of faith can do so. The difference is often noticeable to those who hear. Teachers cannot allow teaching to become rote and lifeless. Instead, as with Paul exhorting Timothy, they are to hold fast to the faith, and to teach in faith. In so doing, those they teach will be enlivened by the faith which comes from the teacher who is faithful. Added to that by Paul is also “love.” A message can be mechanical, as if piecing together components of something. A message can be angry, it can be filled with bitterness, or it can be subversive. Such teachings are not in love. One can be wholly opposed to something, like abortion, but they can present the message in a stern but loving way. Righteous indignation does not have to include unrighteous anger.

To teach in faith and love then is what is proper, but there is already an example to follow. It is those “which are in Christ Jesus.” He is the object of our faith, and He is love. By contemplating His words, by following His example, and by speaking in a manner which emulates Him, the man of God will hold fast the pattern of sound words, in the proper way. But again, Paul says the pattern is the one “you have heard from me.” The gospel message to the Gentile led church is given by the hand of Paul. It outlines our doctrine in Christ Jesus, and it is to be adhered to and passed on in faith and love.

Life application: For sound church age doctrine, we are to follow Paul’s epistles as the outline. Everything else is to be taken in relation to them. Understanding this context will keep the rest of Scripture properly aligned for us as we read it and assimilate it into our lives.

Lord God, grant to us the wisdom of applying the proper context of Scripture to our lives, our doctrine, and our teaching. Amen.

Saturday, 10 March 2018

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12

“For this reason” speaks of Paul’s ministry. He “was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” And these three were based on the gospel message. Therefore, it is his proclamation of the gospel message that, as he says, “I also suffer these things.” Paul was in prison at this time for his faithful proclamation of the gospel. But Timothy was well aware of much more suffering than just imprisonment. Paul had continuously been subjected to difficulty. He writes of such trials a couple times, but most notably in 2 Corinthians 11. There, in referring to himself in relation to others, he says –

“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. ²⁴ From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— ²⁸ besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” 2 Corinthians 11:23-29

Paul had suffered and yet endured through so much. It had been inflicted by the Romans, but it had also been inflicted by his own people. The note of having received stripes was a Jewish punishment. The note of having been beaten with rods was a Roman one. Both were considered corrective measures for malefactors. Thus they were designed to bring shame upon the person in order to change their attitude. But for these, and all other sufferings he says, “nevertheless I am not ashamed.”

His words here are certainly being given as an example to Timothy. He would also surely suffer as well if he faithfully carried out his duties. Paul had risen above the sufferings, and he felt no shame at proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Timothy is being encouraged to do likewise. It is a sentiment that Peter builds upon in his first epistle –

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

²² “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:20-22

With this same noble attitude which is explained by Peter being found in Paul, he continues with the words, “for I know whom I have believed.” The word “believed” signifies “to trust” in this case. One can believe in something, but not trust in it. One can believe in the Supreme Court of the United States, but he may not always trust in the decisions they will render.

However, what Paul believes in is also his source of trust. He knew the work of Christ was of God. He knew that Christ’s work was sufficient to save him from his sins. He knew that in being declared guilt free, he was justified. He knew that in being justified, he was positionally glorified, and that he would be actually glorified someday. There was a deep-seated trust in this which could not be beaten out of him, and it could not be wrung out of him through imprisonment. It was steadfast in him to the end. As he says in confirmation of this, he is “persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him.”

What fear had Paul in any trial? What remorse had he in any public punishment? What temptation of walking away from the Lord did he have because of his suffering? There was nothing that could deter him from the course he had set because he knew the character of God. He is ever-faithful to keep that which is committed to Him. The body could be beaten, imprisoned, crushed, and brought to its end, but the bonds of even death itself had been defeated. The Jubilee for the captive had been proclaimed, and the human soul which belonged to God because of Christ was free. This was a certainty from the unchanging God who carefully tended to that which had been entrusted to Him “until that Day.”

The day he speaks of is the day when Christ will come for His people as described in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4. Paul had already explained the doctrine of the rapture to the church in those epistles, something that Timothy was surely aware of. On that wondrous day, the soul would be united to an eternal body; one which would never suffer, never endure shame, and one which will possess a glory unimagined by man at this time. Paul knew this lay ahead, and so he stood ready to possess it without fear.

Life application: How certain are you of the faith you proclaim? How ready are you to suffer for it, or to even die for it? A little bit of faith is all that is needed to bring you to a right relationship with God. But exercising your faith through study of the word will cause it to deepen to a point that you can truly say, “No fear here. I belong to Christ. Nothing will diminish that.” Stay in the word, meditate on it always, and be grounded in what you believe.

Most glorious heavenly Father. Are we ready to face difficulties for our faith in Christ Jesus? Can we confidently say, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” Are we so grounded in our faith that we are willing to proclaim it even when it will bring difficulty to our day? Help us to never shrink back from what we believe. May the certainty of Christ in us be the rule and guide for all we do. To Your glory we pray. Amen.