In order to free those ensnared by Satan through selfishness, pleasure and religion, handle God’s word accurately, be empowered by the Holy Spirit and strong teamwork, preach the word in evangelism without shame, and equip faithful men in God’s word to do good works.
Be Empowered By the Holy Spirit
Paul, an apostle of Christ, wrote to Timothy, his dear son, thanking God for constantly remembering him in prayer, longing to see him and being filled with joy. Paul reminded Timothy to fan into flame his faith passed down from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice as God’s gift. He did not give anyone a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:1-7). Be empowered by the Holy Spirit in power, love and self-discipline.
Be Unashamed as You Proclaim the Gospel
Be unashamed about the Lord and His messengers. Join in suffering for the gospel who saved and called everyone to a holy life by God’s own purpose and grace through Jesus Christ. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality through the gospel. God appointed Paul a herald, apostle and teacher to suffer unashamedly. He knew God and convinced that He was able to guard what he entrusted to Him for that day. Paul commanded Timothy to guard the deposit of sound teaching he heard with faith and love in Christ including the help of the Holy Spirit. Everyone in the province of Asia deserted Paul, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. He asked the Lord to show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, He refreshed, helped and unashamed of Paul’s chains (2 Tim. 1:8-18). Be unashamed as you proclaim the gospel and serve His messengers.
Entrust God’s Word to Faithful Men
Paul commanded Timothy to be strong in grace and entrust God’s deposit to faithful men who could teach others. By enduring hardship as a good soldier of Christ and not involving himself in civilian affairs, he would please His commanding officer. By competing as an athlete and following the rules, he would receive the victor’s crown. As a hardworking farmer, he would be the first to share in the crops. By reflecting on these things, the Lord provided insight (2 Tim. 2:1-7). Entrust God’s word to faithful men who teach others as you endure hardship, follow rules and work hard.
Handle God’s Word Accurately
Remember Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, so people suffer and endure everything for the gospel enabling others to obtain salvation for eternal glory. Die to live and endure to reign. By disowning Him, you disown yourself. God remained faithful in the midst of faithlessness since He cannot disown Himself. Remind people of these things and warn against quarreling about words to prevent ruin. Present self as an approved workman without shame correctly handing the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter that spread like gangrene leading to further ungodliness, wandering and destroying faith. Everyone who confessed the Lord’s name must turn away from wickedness (2 Tim. 2:8-19). Handle God’s word accurately to reign with Christ and people obtain salvation.
Teach Gently and Lead Those Ensnared By Satan
A large house contained articles for honorable and dishonorable purposes. Be cleansed from dishonorable ones to become a holy instrument useful to the Master and prepared for any good work. Flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Refuse foolish and stupid arguments that produced quarrels but be kind and able to teach gently so God granted repentance leading to the knowledge of truth. They came to their senses and escaped from the devil’s trap who took them captive to do his will (2 Tim. 2:20-26). Teach gently and lead those ensnared by Satan toward repentance and the knowledge of the truth.
Avoid Selfish, Pleasure-Seeking and Religious Men
In the last days, have nothing to do with men who love themselves, love money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God and had a form of godliness but denied its power. They wormed their ways into homes and gained control over weak-willed women loaded down with sins and evil desires. Having depraved minds, they always learn but never able to acknowledge the truth (2 Tim. 3:1-9). Avoid selfish, pleasure-seeking and religious men who do not acknowledge the truth.
Use Your Life and God’s Word to Equip in Good Works
Timothy knew about Paul’s teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecution and sufferings. God rescued him from persecutions in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. Everyone who wanted to live godly was persecuted. Continue learning and being convinced knowing those from whom you learned it. From infancy Timothy knew the holy Scriptures making him wise for salvation through faith in Christ. All Scriptures were inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness so the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:10-17). Use your life and God’s word to equip people in every good work.
Preach the Word Longing for Christ’s Second Coming
In the presence of God, preach the Word in every season. Correct, rebuke and encourage with patience and careful instruction. A time would come when men did not endure sound doctrine but gathered many teachers to say what their itching ears wanted to hear. They rejected truth and followed myths. Paul commanded Timothy to endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist and discharge all duties of his ministry. Paul’s sacrificial service proved he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. In the future the righteous Judge awarded him and others the crown of righteousness if they longed for His coming (2 Tim. 4:1-8). Preach the word and do evangelism as you long for Christ’s Second Coming.
Develop Strong Teamwork to Fully Proclaim the Gospel
Paul asked Timothy to come quickly because Demas loved this world and deserted him along with two others except Luke. He asked Timothy to bring his cloak, scrolls and Mark as he was helpful in ministry. Paul warned Timothy to be guard since Alexander the metalworker strongly opposed his message. At Paul’s first defense, everyone deserted him. God strengthened Paul to fully proclaim His message so all Gentiles might hear it. The Lord would rescue him from evil attack to be brought safely to His heavenly kingdom. Paul asked Timothy to greet Priscilla, Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth and left Trophimus sick in Miletus. He asked Timothy to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers greeted him (2 Tim. 4:9-22). Develop strong teamwork to fully proclaim the gospel in the midst of desertion and opposition.
In order to free people from the devil’s snares, do the following:
1. Handle God’s word accurately
2. Be empowered by the Holy Spirit and strong teamwork
3. Preach the word in evangelism without shame
4. Equip faithful men in God’s word to do good works
