Chapter 2 Hymenaeus and Philetus were saying, “The resurrection has already happened.” Paul says, “No—the resurrection of the dead is still future, and teaching otherwise is damaging people’s faith. their teaching amounted to denying a future resurrection Verse: 3-4 “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 1-2 Paul is continuing to encourage Timothy to grow in his work, ministry, to follow and continue in what he learnt from Paul, and teach these to other faithful people who will then pass it on. 3-4 He’s encouraging him to be strong, enduring hardship like a soldier does (we too are soldiers for Christ). Don’t get entangled with the affairs of this life (cz this causes you to lose focus on the mission) and the one who enlisted you won’t be pleased cz you aren’t doing His will. 5-6 Also the same way an athlete won’t get the medal unless he competes fairly, so it is with the race of salvation - those who do His will, will be the only ones who get the crown, not those who try to get salvation by other means, not going through the gate, or like going to the feast without the garment. The hardworking farmer is first to partake of the crops (those who work hard gets the first reward). He’s telling him to pay attention and consider all he’s being told. 8-10 Jesus Christ, the seed of David was raised from the dead (gospel) and he’s suffering even to the point of being put in prison, but the truth cannot be chained, or silenced. He’s willing to suffer for the sake of others, for them to know the truth and be saved. 11-13 This is reliable information, it can be taken to the bank. If we die (crucified with Him) we shall also live with Him - inherit eternal life. If we endure, we will also reign with him (as reward) but if we deny Him, He will also deny us (before the Father and holy angels). If we are faithless, He remains faithful, He changest not. 14-15 While teaching these things to others, charge them to avoid useless arguments, getting into disputes with people, cz this will just ruin them- arguing with someone won’t bring them close to Christ. Be cautious, careful making sure you’re walking right before God, and living faithfully without being ashamed of truth and sharing it, without withholding some truth (cz of shame). 16-18 Shun profane and idle babblings (turn from, turn away, reject useless conversations) idle- ur not doing anything useful with your time so using it to, babble- talk about nonsense, that doesn’t benefit anyone, but instead leads to more ungodliness. (The Tower of Babel- represented confusion, so here thyre out here babbling, spreading confused doctrines, which leads to more ungodliness/more straying off the path/more confusion). And this false teaching spreads like cancer- not going away (Islam- teaching that Jesus didn’t die, but was saved by God)- believe salvation is by works, so u can do bad and outweighs the bad works with good ones. This false teaching starting somewhere then spreads to the rest of the body (of Christ) ruining the body of Christ. Paul then mentions 2 people spreading the false teaching. Saying that the resurrection is past; and with these false teachings overthrow the faith of some. Regardless of these false teachings of confusion, God’s word still stands- the foundation (Christ dying for us) doesn’t affect the message. Even with these false teachings, the solid foundation of God stands, now that there are 2 different teachings, what marks the truth/God’s solid foundation, the seal of this foundation is: God knows those who are His (grace) & those who call on His name depart from evil (holiness)- God’s group is identified by this. John 10:14,27. 20-21 But in a great house there are different vessels, gold, silver, but also of wood and clay… (gold:peak God-product, God has made you a valuable, usable vessel, but some are still on the level of wood, the important thing is to be cleansed from falsehood, walk in truth, and with this you can be an honoured vessel, fit for the Master’s use, for every good work). 22 Flee (run away) from youthful lusts- you will not be able to stand, be like Joseph and run, don’t say “im gonna stay, I can overcome this”. Eve is an example of what happens when you stay (you fall) and Joseph, of when you stay (you fall)- flee from these things that pull you/urges you to sin- eg gossiping, if someone is spilling juicy tea, you’re gonna wanna add to it, etc. Not only flee, but pursue the things of God, demons come back multiplied if u cast em away- now ur empty and free for them, whereas if you have the Spirit of God in that space, they have no where to come. If you idea, satan will give you something to do, if busy about God’s business, you won’t have time to fall into sin. James says to resist the devil, submit to god. So our the way to success isn’t only to flee/resist, but to Run to God, so He can keep us from falling- Jude 1:24, Christ alone can help us and give us the victory. 23-26 Avoid useless disputes that aren’t benefiting anyone, give an answer for truth but not the spirit of “im gonna win this argument” but “let’s open up the word and discover the truth” do it humbly and gently and being patient with them, and able to teach- have the answers and able to explain it to em in a way they understand. 1 Peter 3:15- so be able to give an answer but with the right spirit. 25 When you witness like this, you will, God-willing win them to Christ. Cz if ur there to win the argument, and do so, you’ve won the argument but lost the person, so who cares if u lost the argument, what matters is winning the soul to Christ. A soft answer turns away wrath, and teach like Jesus did, not giving out every answer, but show answer and let em work it out themselves. So with this approach, by the grace of God, we bring the soul to Christ, having freed another captive from satan’s snare (trap/ deception). - 1 Peter 5:8 and John 8:44 - so the soul is freed from this. Application: - Continue in the work faithfully - Depend on Christ - Endure hardships like a soldier - Don’t keep truth to yourself but share it with others - Don’t get entangled with the affairs of the world (don’t get caught and lose focus on what’s important) - Learn patience from farmers (spiritual growth takes time) in due season, you will reap, if u do not lose heart. - Remember that Jesus went through trials too when in trials, if we follow in His footsteps we will reach where He is - Avoid useless arguments - Flee youthful lusts and purse godliness - Correct gently when you correct and in humility and with love and patience - Strive to be an honourable vessel for the Master’s use