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. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Timothy 2:3–7 (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.
After providing Timothy insights into ministry, the Apostle Paul issued a command to his young protégé. It is a command all those who minister the gospel of Jesus Christ are to obediently follow. The command is contained in one phrase; think over. To think over (νόει; noei) is a present active imperative. The believer in Christ is to presently, actively and obediently think carefully about, consider and understand what Paul presently, actively and realistically said (λέγω; lego).
God’s command to the believer in Christ to obey is followed by an equally important promise to be believed; “for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” The Lord (κύριος; kurios) is the self-existent and sovereign God who rules and commands.
Paul wrote the Lord will give (δώσει; dosei). In the future, God will personally and actively grant and permit a believer to experience something. What God promises the believer in Christ to experience is understanding (σύνεσιν; synesin). This refers to God-given comprehension and insight in everything (πᾶσιν; pasin).
“Paul appealed to Timothy to reflect on what I am saying, confident that with meditation and contemplation the Lord would grant the young man the insight (synesin, lit., “understanding”) into the wisdom of Paul’s instructions (cf. James 1:5).”[1]
“Since several beautiful thoughts had been compressed into a terse three-fold figure, and no explanation had been furnished, Timothy is told to put his mind on (νόει present, active imperative of νοέω; cf. νοῦς mind) that which Paul has just said (in verses 4, 5, 6). Mere reading is not enough. What has been written must be pondered. What has been spoken must be digested (cf. Matt. 11:29; 13:51; 15:17; 16:9, 11; 1 Cor. 10:15; and especially Rev. 10:9, 10). Timothy need not fear that such mental activity will be fruitless. Has not the Lord given his definite promise? See Luke 19:26; John 14:26; 16:13. Surely in all matters with respect to which Timothy is in need of understanding (σύνεσις, comprehension, insight), it will be given to him if he will but apply himself. Let Timothy then compare a scripture with scripture. Let him pray for wisdom (James 1:5). Let him reflect on his own past experience and the experience of other children of God. Let him listen to what these others have to say. By such means as these the Holy Spirit will give him all the guidance he will need in the performance of his task. He will be able to apply to himself and his office the rich meaning of the threefold figure, and he will derive from it the comfort which it affords.”[2]
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] 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), 753.
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 249–250.
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