Paul exhorts Timothy to consider what he is about
to say and asks the Lord to give Timothy "understanding in all things"
(II Timothy 2:7)
Paul's earnest desire was that the saints would have the
"full assurance of understanding" concerning the Mystery, which God had revealed to him for them (Colossians 2:1-2 cf. Ephesians 3:2-4)
Paul exhorts Timothy to remember that "Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the
dead according to my gospel" (II Timothy 2:8)
Paul said that he was "separated unto the gospel
of God", which was in accordance with the promise revealed in the scriptures of the prophets (Romans 1:1-2)
This gospel concerned God's Son (Jesus Christ), Who as
man was made of the seed of David and Who as God was raised from the dead and declared to be "the Son of God
with power" (Romans 1:3-4)
Both Peter and Paul preached the resurrection of Christ,
but for different purposes:
Peter declared that Christ was raised up to sit on David's
throne (Acts 2:29-30)
Paul declared that Christ was raised up to be seated at
the Father's right hand "in the heavenly places far above ALL" (Ephesians 1:19-21)
It was for what Paul terms "my gospel" as pertaining
to "the Mystery" for which Paul "suffered trouble as an evil doer" (II Timothy 2:9)
Paul refers to himself as the "Lord's prisoner"
in reference to "the Mystery" (Ephesians 3:1-3) and declares himself to be "in bonds" for "the Mystery"
(Colossians 4:3)
Though Paul was confined to prison he knew that the Word
of God was NOT bound - It had entrance into Caesar's very palace (Philippians 1:12-13)
Paul gladly endured his suffering in prison for the sake
of the elect, so that they too would receive "the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (II Timothy 2:10)
Paul rejoiced in his suffering as "filling up"
that which is behind concerning "the afflictions of Christ" for the "the glorious Mystery"
concerning "the Church" (Colossians 1:24-27)
Paul reminds Timothy of a faithful saying(II Timothy 2:11)
- "If we be dead with Him
then we shall also live with Him" (Romans 6:8):
This saying is true of every believer who has placed faith
in the blood of Christ for the remissions of sins (Romans 3:24-26)
This one-time faith in the redemptive work of Christ results
not only in the sinner's justification, but also in the sinner being saved from the wrath to come and sharing His
resurrection life NOW (Romans 5:9-10)
The believer's baptism (being placed) into His death assures
the believer of being able to enjoy His resurrection life NOW (Romans 6:3-4)
Paul reminds Timothy of a faithful saying(II Timothy 2:11)
- "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us" (II Timothy 2:12):
The measure that we suffer with Christ will be the degree
to which His glory shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:17-18 cf. I Corinthians 15:41-43)
Paul reminds Timothy of a faithful saying(II Timothy 2:11)
- "If we believeNOT, yet He abideth faithful; HeCANNOTdeny Himself" (II Timothy 2:13):
The believer's salvation depends upon the believer's identification
with what He's done for the believer and NOT with what the believer's done for Him (Ephesians 2:4-10)