Apostolic Charge (II Timothy 1:13-18)

(Class Notes)

• Paul charges Timothy to "hold fast" the pattern of "sound words" communicated by him (II Timothy 1:13)
  • "Words of instruction" from the Holy Spirit, which combine "spiritual ideas" with "spiritual expressions" (I Corinthians 2:13)
  • The "words" about the "mystery of (the) Christ" (Ephesians 3:3-4 cf. I Corinthians 12:12,27; Ephesians 2:14-16)
  • "Words of comfort" about "meeting the Lord in the air" (I Thessalonians 4:18 cf. I Thessalonians 4:15-17) and the "hope of salvation" of being "delivered from the wrath to come" (I Thessalonians 5:11 cf. I Thessalonians 5:8-10; I Thessalonians 1:10)
  • The "words of faith and of good doctrine" about prayer and thanksgiving (I Timothy 4:6 cf. I Timothy 4:4-5)
  • "Wholesome words", which are even the "words of our Lord Jesus Christ" about honor and service (I Timothy 6:3 cf. I Timothy 6:1-2)

• Paul charges Timothy to "guard" the "good thing" committed to him, which he will only be able to do by the "indwelling Holy Spirit" (II Timothy 1:14)
  • The "good thing" committed to Timothy's trust is "the faith" (Romans 16:25-27), which is opposed by those professing false science (knowledge) (I Timothy 6:20-21)
  • Paul was confident that God was able to "guard" that "precious deposit" or "sacred trust" committed to him till the "Day of Christ" (II Timothy 1:12 cf. Philippians 1:3-6), i.e. the "Day of His Appearing" (II Timothy 4:7-8 cf. I Corinthians 3:13-15)

• Paul sadly informed Timothy that ALL those in Asia had turned away from him, because they were "ashamed of his chain" (II Timothy 1:15-16)
  • This was particularly sad for Paul, who had widely evangelized that area during his energetic ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19:9-10)
  • His faithful and diligent labor bore much fruit there (Acts 19:19-20)
  • This departure was especially poignant in light of the touching farewell the Ephesian elders gave him (Acts 20:36-38)

• Paul fondly shared with Timothy the faithful ministry of Onesiphorous to him along with his house (II Timothy 1:16-17)
  • Paul also tenderly recalled the few faithful companions who stood by him in the midst of widespread defection during his last imprisonment at Rome (II Timothy 4:9-11)

• Paul remembered the faithful labors of Onesiphorous on his behalf before the Lord and longed to see them rewarded "in that day" (II Timothy 1:18)
  • Similar intercession was made for other mature saints (I Thessalonians 1:2-3) so that "fruit may abound to their account" (Philippians 4:15-17)
  • Faithfulness to the "Word of His Grace" which is able to build His people up (Acts 20:32) will be the test at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10; II Corinthians 5:10 cf. I Corinthians 3:9-17)

Study Outline

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