We continue our exploration of Church Hurt in 2 Timothy at the beginning of Chapter 2. Paul encourages his disciple by staying committed to God’s work, by reminding him that God is in control, and once again telling Timothy that he is not alone in his struggle.
At the beginning of Chapter 2, in the second verse, Paul gives Timothy advice on what he should focus on to both combat and overcome his present difficulties. He gives him an assignment and a ministerial purpose, by instructing him to commit what Paul had taught him “to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” “You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” is the next line Paul offers to Timothy, before telling him he must obey the one he serves (God), follow the rules (Gospel truth and resulting consequences), and look forward to his reward (Salvation, II Tim 4:7-8).
Paul talks more about his own suffering, then comes back to Timothy’s work of teaching others in verse 14, “Remind them of these things…”
Observation #4 – Being committed to the cause of the Gospel, having ‘skin in the game,’ takes our focus from the successes, failings, and disappointments of others, and puts it on the higher calling. Our service is to our Lord.
Paul spends the rest of Chapter 2 and half of Chapter 3 talking about the failures of men who walk in the faith and are members of the church.
- Participating in profane and idle babblings
- Conspiracy theories, doubt, denial
- Pursuing youthful lusts
- Much church hurt is caused by sex and lust
- Knowingly generating strife through foolish and ignorant disputes
- Social media
- Chapter 3, verses 2 and 3 contain a long list of men’s failures.
As he writes these things, Paul subtly reminds Timothy of the consequences of intentional sin. In 2:19, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” In 2:25-26, “…be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition…that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” In 3:5 Paul gives us an insight into the hearts of these people: “…having a form of godliness but denying its power,” adding, “…but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all…,” in verse 9.
In verses 12-14, Paul delivers his message clearly to Timothy: “…all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (read Eph 6:12). But you must continue…”
As we review this, we should realize that the failures of men and women should not be shocking; they should be expected. Remember that not all who proclaim Christ are of Christ (Mt 7:21-24). Paul is writing to Timothy about the same people Jesus spoke about in Matthew 7. Timothy and Paul are experiencing it firsthand, and Timothy is in a current struggle with it.
Observation #5 – God remains in control. Those that cause harm are not our responsibility. God has already accepted that responsibility. This frees us to serve Him by continuing in His work here: our praise to Him, our service to others, and our proclamation of the Gospel.
To start Chapter 4, Paul reminds Timothy again that he needs to get to work. “Preach the word!” he exclaims in 4:2. He informs Timothy that time is running out and the doctrines of the world are dragging people off to hell at a rate that will increase exponentially as time passes. He then reminds Timothy that his own time on earth is coming to an end, “…the time of my departure is at hand,” and that Timothy is part of the next generation that will pick up the torch that is the light of the Gospel and continue to run with it.
In verse 9, Paul builds his protégé up by communicating that he is important to him. “Be diligent to come to me quickly,” he writes. In other words, I need you here, Timothy. I want you here. You are important to me. After praising God for His provision and protection, Paul makes another list of people; those who have been faithful (even mentioning the household of Onesiphorus), to remind Timothy that he is not, and never will be, as alone as he feels right now. God always leaves a remnant (1 Kings 19:18, Isaiah 1:8).
Romans 11:5
5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Ee have to remember that we are still in this flesh. We will make mistakes, just like others will make mistakes. Just because a person has a title (Pastor, Father, Evangelist, Teacher, etc.), does not mean that they won’t make mistakes. They are human like us, we have to stop putting people on a pedestal. No matter what happens, or how we are treated, we have to forgive them and move on. But not forget about God. We have to find another church home where we belong.
Thanks for your input, Eugenia. Hurt is a real and difficult reality. It is a tragedy to let it destroy ones relationship with God.