Things We Need to Remember About Christ
March 14, 2019
Commentary
Right from the beginning of this letter Paul has been trying to inspire Timothy to live for the Lord no matter what may happen. He has reminded him of his own belief in him and of the godly parentage from which he has come; he has shown him the picture of the Christian soldier, the Christian athlete and the Christian farmer. And now he comes to the greatest appeal of all-Remember Jesus Christ (v. 8). Paul is really urging Timothy to remember three things:
Remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead. (v. 8a)Remember Jesus Christ born of the seed of David. (v. 8b)Remember the Gospel the good news. (v. 8c)Paul tells of the ultimate example of endurance leading to success and that is Jesus Christ raised from the dead. Because Paul preached the good news of the resurrected Son of David he suffered in a Roman jail (v. 9). Though he was chained, God’s Word is not chained. God would continue to use it through Timothy, and those Timothy entrusted it to. He was willing to endure everything for the sake of “the chosen ones” (v. 10). If we die with Him, we will also live with Him (v. 11). The context here seems to point to physical death as the highest point of suffering for Christ.
Endurance points to the continued experience of bearing hardships and afflictions however sharing rejection will bring triumph when He comes (vv. 12-14). Christ is our example of suffering however He was raised from the dead and is the victory for us today.
Application
Lord, help me to remember what Paul asked Timothy to remember. When I get to feeling sorry for myself I just need to remember Christ and what He has done for me.
2 Timothy 2:8– 14 (NET)
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned! 10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.