Epistles

Sunday, 8 April 2018

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 2 Timothy 2:23

What a verse for modern times! How easy it is to get into inane, ignorant disputes with others on social media. How many people have been eviscerated, and who return the evisceration, by the use of a keyboard and mere words! This is true in almost every subject possible. Whether the earth is flat or not has brought people to ridiculous arguments as posts fly back and forth. Whether this person is suitable to hold office or not is argued to the point of nausea.

Paul is certainly referring to any such argument – be it religion, politics, or whether chicken tastes better than beef. However, this verse can be kept to religion alone, and that will suffice as an example for all other areas. Paul might say, “There are a million points which one could squabble over which will turn into foolish and ignorant arguments. Just don’t go there, Timothy.” He has already mentioned “fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes” in his first letter.

There are some things which might be inferred from Scripture that are debatable. There are some things which are completely unknown, such as the day of the rapture. There are things which are so complicated that we will never fully grasp them (such as the complete nature of God – it being an infinite subject). To endlessly argue over such things can be, and usually is, foolish. Those who do the arguing are normally ignorant.

The Greek word for “foolish” gives the sense of being dull (insipid) or flat (without an edge). It is móros, the root of our modern “moron.” It is a person who is mentally inert – a dolt – who speaks that which is moronic or insensible. We might call him “brainless.” The word translated as “ignorant” is found only here. It means “uninstructed.” Thus it is a person who shows a complete lack of proper training or education. Paul’s choice of these descriptive words is careful and purposeful.

With the coming of modern printing, the Bible has gone forth in a marvelous way. The word of God is opened up to millions, and there is true freedom in being able to pick it up, read it, and cherish it. And yet, at the same time, there are those who stick to one particular subject of doctrine, pulling it out of context, and then claim to be specialists in it. This is especially true with sensational subjects like angelology, demonology, or prophecy. They have no real training in proper theology, and they come to completely unfounded conclusions about these matters. And yet, they will argue their stand until blue in the face, constantly playing Scripture tennis in an attempt to look smart.

Such people are ignorant, and they are fools. He exhorts Timothy to stay away from them, “knowing that they generate strife.” This is what they live for, the argument for the argument’s sake. They have no desire to build anyone up, and they have no desire to be truly edified in the word of God. Instead, they perversely want to be proven right at all costs, and to the harm of any who would dare challenge them. Watch for them on Facebook or other social media. They are there, waiting to pounce. Paul has special words for dividers like this –

“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” Titus 3:10, 11

They are the special type for which the BLOCK option is particularly designed for on social media. Let them argue with themselves. You should choose the better path and use your time building others up, edifying them in their walk with the Lord, and showing the love of Christ to those who are in need of His loving care.

Life application: It is so very easy to get sucked into tit for tat challenges about matters which don’t matter. Be wise and cautious to not go beyond what is written. Make your case, state your view, and then warn the divisive person up to a second time, and then POW! Ignore him, or even hit the block button, lest you argue yourself into the same state of foolishness that he has done.

Lord God, help us to not get into divisive arguments with fools. Your word specifically advises against this. If we give our view, and another wants to argue, we are advised to warn them once, warn them a second time, and then have nothing to do with them. How good it would be if we would follow this advice! We would save ourselves much grief in this world of easy-to-slay-one-another on social media and elsewhere. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Saturday, 7 April 2018

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

Paul has noted that ministers are to “depart from iniquity” (2:19). He then brought in the idea of vessels of gold, silver, wood, and clay, noting that when properly cleansed, they will be vessels for honor which are “sanctified and useful for the Master.” Now, he continues with an exhortation that ministers are to “Flee also youthful lusts.” This ties in well with his thought of 1 Corinthians 6:8. There he says, “Flee sexual immorality.”

Youthful lusts are not wholly sexual in nature, but that is certainly a large part of what is on a young man’s mind. Along with that target, come all the things associated with it – cars, fancy clothes, etc., which are intended to attain the goal of meeting the sexual desires that have been formed. Paul would have Timothy, and certainly all in the church, to flee from such things. They turn our minds from what is good, proper, and holy. Further, such lusts, when acted out, inevitably will lead to scandals within the church which will not go unnoticed outside of the church. Instead of engaging one’s youthful lusts, he gives a list of things to pursue in its place, starting with “righteousness.”

The man of God is to pursue that which is right and just, that which harms no one else, and that which involves integrity and an upright attitude. He is to pursue the righteousness of Christ which is the epitome of all of these things.

Next, he mentions “faith.” Hebrews says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (11:1). We have a hope which is in us, even if we cannot see it. But our faith is evidenced in that we trust what is unseen, and when we live our lives in accord with that unseen force. If we believe that God will reward those who seek Him and live according to His will, then we should pursue that belief, increase it through our study of His word, and apply it to our daily walk. In other words, as we learn what His word says about Him, and what He expects of us, we should live out our faith in accord with that word.

Next, “love” is noted. The love spoken of here is beautifully described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. We are to pursue love of God, love of Christ Jesus, love of our brethren, and love for the lost. In pursuing love, we will learn to put aside hate, bitterness, wrath, and the like.

Paul then says that we are to pursue “peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” In Romans 12:18, Paul says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” In Titus 3:2, he says “to be peaceable.” Each of these leaves it open to understanding that not all want peace with God’s people. Some are so perverse that they will neither accept peace, nor will they act peaceably. There is no need to seek peace with such perverse people. If we live peaceably, and if we act in a peaceable manner, we have done our job towards those outside the faith. For those in the faith, we are to pursue peace with them “out of a pure heart.” This means that we are to act in peace towards them for the sake of peace itself, not with ulterior motives, such as profit or gain.

Life application: To flee is an active action. To pursue is an active action as well. We are not just to bumble through life allowing the winds to direct our steps. Instead, we are to actively shun and run away from that which is wrong, and we are to actively seek after, and pursue, that which is morally right and sound. Let us remember this as we hit the highway of life. May our feet actively do what our mind knows is right.

Lord God, Your word asks us to flee youthful lusts, and instead to pursue righteousness, faith, and love. We are also to do our best to live peaceably with all men. Help us in this! It is a giant challenge to act upon in these fallen, frail bodies. We are weak in ourselves, but through studying Your word and applying it to our lives, we can certainly prevail. Be with us, guide us, and keep us from those situations which will have us act in a manner contrary to what You wish. May we be found acceptable in Your sight always! Amen.

Friday, 6 April 2018

Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21

Paul continues the thought of the previous verse which speaks of vessels of gold and silver, as well as vessels of wood and clay. Some are “for honor and some for dishonor.” He doesn’t really explain the thought. Instead, he assumes that Timothy (and all who read his words) will understand the metaphor he is using. And so he says, “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter.” It cannot be that Paul is speaking of cleansing from one type of vessel to another type, meaning clay, wood, silver, or gold. Instead, he is referring to what the vessel is used for, meaning an honorable or a dishonorable use.

There are wood vessels which are used for honorable things, and it is possible that a silver or gold bowl could carry something dishonorable. The makeup of the vessel, combined with an honorable use, is what Paul is referring to. When an otherwise noble person associates with those who teach false doctrine, and when a regular blue-collar worker refrains from associating with such falsities, which of the two is cleansing himself properly? Of course, it is the latter. Even though “wood” is cheap in comparison to “gold,” he has made himself “a vessel for honor.”

In this then, he is becoming “sanctified and useful for the Master.” The meaning is obvious, any vessel which is cleansed – meaning a person regardless of their status – is acceptable for serving the Lord in their station of life. This is certain, because a vessel is not considered unclean in the Levitical law until it touches something unclean. Once this occurs, different things would happen to different materials. Clay vessels were to be broken. Bronze vessels were to be scoured. In Leviticus 15:12, it says for one type of defilement that, “The vessel of earth that he who has the discharge touches shall be broken, and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.”

When even a wooden vessel is rinsed in this way, it was once again “prepared for every good work.” It is true that a gold vessel is generally considered as possessing the highest value, but a golden vessel which was defiled was of less value for holy service than an undefiled wood vessel. It remained so until it was once again cleansed. The only suitable vessel for the Lord’s work is one which is undefiled.

Life application: In the end, we are being shown that doctrine really matters to the Lord. The introduction of Hymenaeus and Philetus in verse 17 shows us that bad doctrine defiles a person, and that bad doctrine will corrupt good character. We must separate ourselves from those who teach falsities, and we must cleanse ourselves through the application of pure doctrine. In this, we will be acceptable for the Master’s use, and able to instruct others in what is right, sound, and edifying.

Lord God, we are who we are in person and position, but regardless of our station in life, we can be acceptable and of use to You. The noblest person who applies defiled doctrine to his life is less acceptable than the lowest commoner among us whose doctrine is pure and sound. Help us to cleanse ourselves of that which is incorrect through a careful study of Your word, and then help us to pursue Your word further, day by day, applying its precepts to our walk in Your presence. Amen.

Thursday, 5 April 2018

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 2 Timothy 2:20

Paul has just spoken of the solid foundation of God. After that he said, “The Lord knows who are His,” and then “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Now he turns to the words, “But in a great house.” It seems like a diversion from what he was saying, but it is not. It is the same theme he has used before, and which Peter will also use. God is building a temple out of the people of God. This is stated by Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22 –

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Likewise, Peter says –

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 2:4, 5.

It is this idea of a spiritual temple, being built by God out of the people of God, that is being addressed again here by Paul. He somewhat changes the imagery however. Instead of the actual structure of the building, he turns to the things within the building. Of this great house, he says that “there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay.”

Not everything within a house is made of the same materials. Some things are made of that which is highly valued, such as gold and silver. Some things are made of that which is far more common, such as wood and clay. Each thing is used for a specific purpose and is treated more carefully, or less so, based on what it is made of, or even how it is formed. Again, this same imagery is used by Paul when speaking of the works of those within the church, and which will be evaluated at our judgment –

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

What is obvious here is that Paul is speaking about saved believers, not the lost. The lost will face a different judgment. The judgment of believers is for rewards and losses, not salvation or condemnation. And so we can see that in Paul’s reference to Hymenaeus and Philetus in verse 17 & 18, he considers them saved but wayward. This is the reason for his words now.

There are those in the church who are formed “for honor and some for dishonor.” Likewise, even the works of the honorable may be burned up if they are not of merit, and those works which are worthy will be purified in the fire. Paul’s words should be a comfort to those in the church that salvation of believers is guaranteed, but they should also stand as a warning that our lives now are being carefully evaluated. Each thing we do is either of value in the eternal state which is coming, or it is of no value. What we do now counts for all time.

Life application: As our deeds in this life have eternal consequences, let us daily consider all we do, and then let us be careful to direct our actions towards being pleasing vessels in God’s house. In the end, our judgment will be perfectly fair and unbiased, and it will be based on what we do now. Our salvation has been procured by Christ. Our placement and benefits in God’s house are now being determined by us as we live out our lives in the presence of God.

Glorious heavenly Father, thank You for the salvation which is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. All that is necessary to reconcile us to You has been accomplished by His work. And now, You allow us to determine our rewards and losses at our judgment by how we live out our salvation in Christ. Help us to be proper stewards of our time and actions by pursuing You and Your will always. Be with us, keep us from tripping, and spur us on to great deeds for You! Amen.

Wednesday, 4 April 2018

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

The word “Nevertheless” is given as a contrast to the false teachings of people such as have been mentioned in verses 16-18. The two false teachers, Hymenaeus and Philetus, had taught that which was untrue about the resurrection, but no matter what they had said, “the solid foundation of God stands.” In other words, there is one foundation, Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:11), and that foundation is proclaimed by the prophets and apostles (see Ephesians 2:20) where Christ is the chief cornerstone of this foundation.

What Paul is saying is that the truth of the word of God is not diminished by false teachings. Despite people making outrageous or misleading claims which dupe people, the truth of the word stands. Some may walk away from the faith because they have been misled, but what they should have done is turned to the word and studied it on their own instead of losing heart and turning away. Paul then confirms the truth of God’s word in this manner by saying, “having this seal.”

Paul is using the term here metaphorically. A letter from a king is sealed with his royal seal in order to show its authenticity, that it has not been altered, and that it is official. Buildings, at times, are inscribed with a note of their original purpose, and who had been behind their construction. Such things show the source, the intent, and the reliability of what is stated. Likewise, the solid foundation of God is similarly sealed. The seal is that, “The Lord knows those who are His.”

This then is one of the inscriptions which is permanently seen on the foundation stone. Christ knows who belongs to Him, and who does not. Being led astray does not negate being His, just as having sound doctrine doesn’t necessarily mean one is His. Belief in His work is the deciding factor. In Nahum 1:7, it says, “…He knows who trust Him.” This is what the Lord looks for above all else. In his words now, Paul may have been thinking of Numbers 16:5 –

“…and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him.”

Jesus gave this same type of terminology in John 10:14, acknowledging that He knows His sheep. No true believer will be left out of His promises. The inscription is written. Further, Paul next says, “and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’” This is a second seal, or inscription, made upon the foundation. It may be a loose merging together of several verses from Isaiah. In Isaiah 26:13, we read –

“O Lord our God, masters besides You
Have had dominion over us;
But by You only we make mention of Your name.”

Also, we read in Isaiah 52:11 this –

“Depart! Depart! Go out from there,
Touch no unclean thing;
Go out from the midst of her,
Be clean,
You who bear the vessels of the Lord.”

Paul may be citing these two verses, or maybe he was just drawing them from the store of his memory as truth which apply to the church. Either way, the Lord divinely inspired Paul that this is the second inscription of the foundation. Those who are known by the Lord are to live lives of holiness to Him. We are to depart from iniquity and follow sound doctrine.

In citing these two things, it cannot be inferred that Paul is saying the two false teachers are not saved believers. Instead, he could be saying exactly the opposite. The Lord knows who are His, despite the incorrect doctrine, and they are being admonished by Paul, through Timothy, to turn from the iniquity of their false teaching. As it was, they were examples for the church in all subsequent generations to not be followed or emulated. For those who follow the proper path, they are to stay on it and not get caught up in such false ramblings.

Life application: We are all accountable to God for our doctrine. If we fail to follow sound teaching, it does not negate our salvation – if our conversion was true. However, we will not be considered obedient to the Lord, and so we are exhorted to turn from the iniquity of false teachings, and to pursue holiness and righteousness through a sound evaluation of Scripture.

Lord God, You know who belong to You. The Shepherd knows each of His flock. But we often get misdirected from the fold. We are prone to wander off into unsound teachings. Help us to not do this, but give us hearts that are willing to search out what is true, and to stay in line with that always. In this, we will stay safely among the flock and not be exposed to the false teachings of wolves. This we pray that we will be pleasing to You in our lives and doctrine. Amen.