22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:22–26 (ESV)
2 Timothy 2:22-26 features a series of guidelines from the Apostle Paul to his young protégé Timothy. These verses contain pearls of wisdom from an elder to his younger son in the faith. These verses are almost proverbial in nature. Our immediate focus is on vs. 22-23.
To begin with, Paul commanded Timothy to flee youthful passions. Youthful passions were the lusts, cravings and desires often associated with adolescence and spiritual immaturity. To flee meant to presently, actively and obediently avoid and escape from such sinful desires.
However, the Apostle Paul did not just focus on the negative. He did not exclusively warn Timothy what to avoid, but also what to pursue. To pursue (δίωκε; dioko) is also a present active imperative singular verb. Timothy was to consistently, actively, personally and obediently strive forward and to press toward a goal. He was to do so with great effort. What was Timothy to pursue?
Timothy’s pursuit as a pastor and a godly individual was not fame and fortune. It was not popularity and prestige from the pulpit. Rather, Timothy was to pursue the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). He was to pursue those qualities which accord with godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
Paul called Timothy, and believers in Christ today, to the virtues of righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with the command to “flee youthful passions” (v. 22). John Calvin commented that youthful passions, are “any impetuous passions to which the excessive warmth of that age is prone.” During adolescence, individuals often pursue what is new and fresh, thinking they, and the fallen culture, know what is best. Godly people do not do such things but rely on the inspired truth of the Word of God and the wisdom of the church in pursuing godliness.
What is godliness? Godliness (εὐσέβειαν; eusebeian) refers to a commitment to biblical truth and the obedience corresponding to biblical truth. In today’s featured biblical text, the apostle lists several characteristics displaying a commitment to biblical truth. These include righteousness, faith, love, peace, and purity.
Righteousness (δικαιοσύνην; dikaiosynen) is doing what God requires of His people. It is living in obedience to the Word of God. It is doing what God says is right, because He has declared it to be the right thing to do. This involves a believer’s thoughts, emotions and decisions. Dr. William Hendriksen writes, “It is that state of heart and mind which is in harmony with God’s law (“righteousness”).”[1]
Faith (πίστιν; pistin) involves not only knowledge of God and agreement with such knowledge, but also dependence, commitment, trust and worship of the Lord. It is faithfulness. Such faith is a “humble and dynamic confidence in God (“faith”).” [2]
Love (ἀγάπην; agapen) is a self-sacrificial love of the will. It is the highest expression of love. It is the kind of love the Lord has for sinners (John 3:16; I John 4:7-11). It is the love believers in Christ are to display to one another (I Cor. 13:1-8a). Agape love is a “deep personal affection for the brothers, including in your benevolent interest even the enemies (“love”).”[3]
Peace (εἰρήνην; eirenen) is tranquility and freedom from worry. It is beyond all human understanding (Phil. 4:6-7). Peace is “undisturbed, perfect understanding (“peace”).”[4]
Purity (καθαρᾶς; katharas) is what Paul called pure. It is cleanliness unto what is morally and spiritually clean and abandonment of what is not. It involves the heart (καρδίας; kardias) or the soul. Purity is to be contained in the believer’s thoughts, emotions, and decisions. It is not just what a believer in Christ does, but it is who they are.
These qualities are consistent with everyone who calls upon the Lord. This involves not only personal prayer but also personal praise.
Dr. Sproul concludes by writing, “Our culture tells us every day to ignore the old and pursue what is new and “exciting.” The Word of God, on the other hand, would have us stay true to the teachings that have been known by the Lord’s people for centuries through the instruction of Scripture, for only these can produce in us a character that perseveres. Are you tempted to run after new teaching or do you depend on the tested truths of orthodox, biblical Christianity?”
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
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), 274.
[2] Ibid., 274.
[3] Ibid., 274.
[4] Ibid., 274.
