3”Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” (2 Timothy 2:3–4 (ESV)
In 2 Timothy 2:3-7, the Apostle Paul provided three analogies illustrating important truths concerning gospel ministry. An analogy is a comparison from life It is a figure of speech comparing two different things to show how they are alike in order to explain a larger point.
“Paul draws analogies to Timothy’s ministry in Christ from three spheres of vocation: military life (vs. 3-4), athletics (vs. 5), and farming (vs. 6). Then he summons Timothy to meditate on the implications of these illustrations (vs. 7),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“The business of entrusting the gospel to reliable men (and, in fact, the gospel-ministry in general) entails hardship (verse 3). Yet, when a man fights wholeheartedly for the good cause, competes according to the rules, and works energetically, he will receive a glorious reward (verses 4–6; cf. 10b–13).[1]
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. The phrase share in suffering (συγκακοπάθησον; synkakopatheson) is an aorist active imperative singular verb. It means to assume one’s share in suffering or to suffer together with someone. This attitude and behavior are to be done decisively, actively, obediently and personally.
The simile Paul used regarding sharing in suffering was as, or like, a good soldier. Notice, the comparison is not just a soldier but rather a good soldier. The word good (καλὸς; kalos) means praiseworthy, fine and advantageous. Such a good soldier is one who solely belongs to Christ Jesus as their commander and chief. (See 2 Tim. 4:7, Rom. 13:12-14; I Cor. 9:7; 2 Cor. 6:7; 10:4; Eph. 6:10-20; Phil. 1:27; 2:25; I Tim. 1:18; 6:12; Philem 2).
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits. The word entangled (ἐμπλέκεται; empleketai) is a present passive indicative verb. It figuratively means to not allow oneself to personally become restricted by civilian situations and circumstances. It refers to a secondary distraction taking a soldier away from his primary duties.
“First, like a soldier on active duty, perhaps even engaged in a campaign, Timothy must perform his task wholeheartedly. If a soldiering person should pursue a business on the side, one that would really absorb his interests, so that he becomes “implicated” in it, he would not be able to really “give” himself to his appointed task as a soldier.”[2]
Civilian pursuits (πραγματείαις; pragmateiais) concerns secular occupations and activities. Aside from family responsibilities, which the man of God is to fulfill (Eph. 5:22-6:4), other occupations and desires, like the striving for riches, are to be avoided (I Tim. 6:6-10).
His aim is to please the one who enlisted him. To be enlisted (στρατολογήσαντι; stratogesanti) means to be under the command of a superior. A soldier is to please his commander.
“Military images were common in Paul’s thought (cf. 1 Tim. 1:18), no doubt because the word pictures were familiar to his readers (cf. Rom. 6:13 [“instruments” can be trans. “weapons”]; Rom. 7:23; 1 Cor. 9:7; 2 Cor. 6:7; Eph. 6:11–18; Phil. 2:25; Phile. 2). A Roman soldier’s single-minded purpose, rigorous discipline, and unquestioning obedience to his commanding officer combine to make the figure of a soldier an apt one for a servant of the gospel.”[3]
“The soldier in the field has just one purpose, namely, to satisfy the officer who enlisted him. Similarly, Timothy—and, for that matter, any “minister”—must realize that his exalted task “demands his soul, his life, his all.” One holy passion must fill his frame. He must devote himself completely to his Lord who appointed (“enlisted”) and qualified him for his task. Every true and faithful servant of Christ Jesus will actually devote himself thus wholeheartedly to his task, in order to please his Master (cf. 1 Cor. 7:32–34; cf. 1 John 3:22; and see N.T. on 1 Thess. 2:4). “No enlisted soldier,” says Paul, will do differently!”[4]
“Good soldiers who fight for the rulers of this world ignore all distractions in the heat of battle and remain focused on their objective (including just staying alive) in order to advance the cause and please their commanders. Similarly, good soldiers of Christ place their mission first, allowing nothing to deter them from keeping the orders of their captain. This is Paul’s point in 2 Timothy 2:4. He is not calling for believers to withdraw from everyday life but is exhorting us never to let anything keep us from following Jesus. Suffering is inevitable, for serving Christ will mean going against the tide of this world,” concludes Dr. Sproul.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 247.
[2] Ibid., 248.
[3] A. Duane Litfin, “2 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 752.
[4] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 248.
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