The Strand Study Bible

Written From Rome During Paul’s Second Roman Imprisonment II TIMOTHY faithful despite how unfaithful we are (vs 13). God will never go back on His promise to save us (II Tim 2:13,19, II Cor 1:19-22, Eph 1:13-14 and I Pet 1:3-5). 2:11b J. Vernon McGee in Thru The Bible (I Cor. - Rev.) notes: 2039 2:12 This word ( deny ) is the Greek word DUQοXPHθD ( arnoumetha ) and means “ to say…not, to refuse .” No matter how some “newer” translations read, this word does not mean, “to disown.” Paul is addressing Christians here, not the unsaved. Notice the word “we.” Paul included himself in the admonition. NOTE - A Christian may deny (refuse to acknowledge) Jesus as the Lord of his life and still be a Christian ( Mt 10: 32- 33 ). Peter did (Mt 26:70-72). So did a lot of Christians back in Paul’s day that failed to provide financially for their immediate families (I Tim 5:8). What a person cannot do and be a Christian is deny the fact that Jesus is the Christ (God in flesh - I Jn 2:22-23, Acts 3:13-14 and Jude 4). C.S. Lewis in the PREFACE of Mere Christianity notes: When a man who accepts the Christian doctrine lives unworthily of it, it is much clearer to say he is a bad Christian than to say he is not a Christian. 2 The Apostle Paul agrees. He said in Ephesians 4:28: Let him that stole steal no more: Christians can and will occasionally do bad (sin). Why else would it be commanded, if it came naturally? C.S Lewis was right –just because a Christian will yield to his old nature and behave badly at times, does not mean he is not a Christian; it just means he is not a good Christian at times (Rom 7:15-25, Gal 3:1-3 & 5:16-17 and I Jn 1:8-9 a,b ). 2:13 Jesus’ “faithfulness” to us is not contingent upon our faithfulness to Him. 2:18 These twomen did not deny the resurrection, they merely put a corrupt interpretation upon it by stating that the resurrection was already past and that it did not apply to any more people. In so doing they “overthrew the faith of some” Christians. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christians lose hope concerning three expectations: 1. A glorious future state (I Cor 15:12-19,53-54) If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Jesus never rose from the dead, for it is His resurrection that guaranteed ours. And if Jesus never rose from the dead then we are yet in our sins and lose all hope of salvation and a glorious future state. No ressurrection - no future! 2. Rewards for services and sufferings ( I Pet 1:7 and II Tim 2:11-12) No ressurrection - no rewards for services and sufferings! Why serve God or even suffer for Him if there is no resurrection? 3. A reason to live right (I Jn 3:1-3) No ressurrection - no reason to live right! 2:20 There are two kinds of vessels found within every house: 1. the valuable ( and some to honour ) 2. the valueless ( and some to dishonour ) It is our choice as to what kind of vessel we choose to become (I Cor 3:10-15). 2:21 a No Christian need remain “earthly.” The surest way for a Christian to purge himself and become a vessel used of God is to be an honest witness for Jesus (Jn 15:1-2). 2:21 b God is no respector of persons (Acts 10:34). Those who draw nigh to Him, He will honor ( he shall be a vessel unto honour - Jms 4:7-8 and II Chro 16:9). 2:22 Struggling Christians can learn to avoid youthful lusts by “following other sincere Christians,” who follow righteousness , faith, charity, and peace. The company of a decent Christian can only help to correct bad habits (I Cor 15:33 and Hab 1:4). 3:3 This phrase ( without natural affection ) is the Greek word Dστο ργ οL ( astorgoi ) and means “ no love of kindred, especially of parents for children .” K. Wuest in By Paths in the Greek New Testament notes: It is a love that is a natural movement of the soul, something almost like gravitation or some other force of blind nature. It is the love of parents for children and children for parents… It is found in the animal world in the love which the animal has for its offspring… This kind of love is the binding factor by which any natural or social unit is held together. 3 Paul predicted that one of the elements prevalent during the final days will be the absence of even that “gravitational-type” love possessed by the animal kingdom for their young. Harold L. Willmington in Signs of the Times notes: It would seem in light of this that no more vivid example of Paul’s sad prediction can be seen than that found in the modern abortion movement! 4 “If we be dead with him” should be “if we have died with him.” When did we die with Him? When He died over nineteen hundred years ago. When we come to Christ and receive Him as our Savior, His death becomes our death. 1

1 McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible (I Cor. –Rev.), Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, 1983. Print. 2 Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity , NY, NY, Touchstone. 1943. Print. 3 Wuest, K. By Paths in the Greek New Testament , Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1940. Print. 4 Willmington, Harold L. Signs of the Times , Wheaton, ILL, Tyndale, 1983. Print.