2 Timothy 2:14b-19
Introduction
Scripture clearly affirms that God is truth, that God speaks
truth, and that God cannot lie. Scripture also affirms that Satan is a liar and
the father of lies. He is in the business of deceiving people. God reveals
Himself as truth and Satan is revealed as its antithesis. That particular
dichotomy pervades every area of the universe. There is conflict between the
holy angels and unholy demons. There is conflict on earth between the truth of
God and the lies of Satan.
The people of God have always been plagued with false doctrine.
They have endured the invasion of false prophets and teachers throughout the
ages. Satan attempts to confuse the world by drowning it in a sea of deceit. It
was Satan's misrepresentation of the truth to Eve that plunged the human race
into sin (Gen. 3:1-6). The steady stream of false teaching has been so
cumulative that it is wider and deeper now than it has ever been. False teaching
about God, Christ, the Bible, and spiritual reality is pandemic. The father of
lies works overtime to destroy the saving, sanctifying truth God has given to us
in His Word. The effects of false teaching have been devastating and damning.
That's why the Bible calls them destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1). I believe
that as we get closer to the coming of Christ, these deceptions, lies, and
misrepresentations will increase.
Any servant of the Lord must be aware of false teachers and
warn others about their lies. That is why the apostle Paul warned the believers
and leaders in Ephesus (Acts 20:29-30).
Second Timothy 2:14-19 specifically tells us why we should
avoid false teaching. Paul had called Timothy to be a faithful servant of the
Lord. He asked him to rise above the influence of ungodliness, evil teaching,
and evil people, and to set the church right. To do so he had to keep his mind
on the truth of God, and be sure that he and his people avoided the impact of
false teaching.
Lesson
I. REMINDING TRUE TEACHERS (v. 14a)
"Remind them of these things."
The literal translation would read, "Remind of these things."
The word "them" was added because it identifies who is being reminded-- the
faithful men of verse 2. What things were they to be reminded of? What Paul said
in verses 1-13. Paul wanted Timothy to remind the church leaders and teachers of
their responsibility to pass on the truth to others. They needed to be reminded
of the noble cause they served and the loftiness of the gospel ministry.
II. AVOIDING FALSE TEACHING (vv. 14b-19)
A transition takes place from Paul's positive reminder to his
negative command. In verse 14 he says, "Solemnly charge them." Timothy was not
just to continually remind the people of the noble cause they serve, but also to
"solemnly charge (Gk., diamarturomai, a legal term) them in the
presence of God not to wrangle about words." The positive aspect show the
believer what to do; the negative tells him what not to do.
A. It Ruins the Hearers (v. 14b)
"Solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle
about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers."
1. The seriousness of the command
a) A constant reminder
The Greek word translated "solemnly charge" communicates the
idea of a constant reminder and a constant command. Timothy was to constantly
remind the leaders of their positive duty and constantly warn them to avoid
false teaching. The warning is serious because diamarturomai refers to a
solemn command.
b) A healthy fear
Paul's solemn command is made even more serious by the next
phrase in verse 14, "Solemnly charge them in the presence of God." The leaders
were to do their duty out of a healthy fear of God. Paul had given such changes
before:
(1) 1 Timothy 5:21--"I solemnly charge you in the presence of
God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles
without bias."
(2) 1 Timothy 6:13-14--"I charge you in the presence of God,
who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good
confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or
reproach."
(3) 2 Timothy 4:1--"I solemnly charge you in the presence of
God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His
appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word."
Those are all serious commands. They are not just commands but
solemn commands, and not just solemn commands but solemn commands in the
presence of God. The intention of the solemn charge is to put fear in the hearts
of God's people by reminding them that they are directly accountable to God.
Exploring the Presence of God
1. As a comforting reality
a) Psalm 68:8--"The heavens also dropped rain at the
presence of God."
b) Luke 1:19--The angel told Zacharias, "I am Gabriel,
who stands in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to you, and to
bring you this good news."
c) Hebrews 9:24--"Christ did not enter a holy place made
with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear
in the presence of God for us."
d) Genesis 27:7--Isaac said, "Bring me some game and
prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of
the Lord."
2. As a means of judgment
The presence of God is meant to comfort. But the vast majority
of references have to do with judgment.
a) Psalm 68:2--"As wax melts before the fire, so let the
wicked perish before God."
b) Genesis 3:8--Adam and his wife hid themselves after they
had sinned so they wouldn't have to face the presence of God.
c) Psalm 97:5--"The mountains melted like wax at the
presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth."
d) Psalm 114:7--"Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before
the God of Jacob."
e) 2 Thessalonians 1:9--"[Unbelievers] shall be punished
with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of his power" (KJV).
While there are times when the presence of the Lord is meant to
of comfort us, it is more often meant to increase our sense of accountability.
We are always in the presence of God, and His presence acts as a controlling
factor on how we live. He monitors each of our lives. A solemn charge in the
presence of God makes its recipients accountable before the Holy One, the
righteous judge.
2. The specifics of the command
Given such a serious command, you would expect Paul to name
some vile evil that Timothy was to command people to withdraw from. But Paul
says, "Solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about
words."
a) The rejection of word battles
The Greek word translated "wrangle about words" speaks of
waging a war of words. Paul called for the leadership to avoid futile debates
because they would end up being will be side-tracked. Evidently the errorists in
Ephesus tended to focus on such worthless chatter, which was based on
speculation and not on the Word of God (1 Tim. 1:3-4; cf. 1 Tim. 6:3-10).
Timothy was not to be drawn into word battles because they are not based on
God's special revelation.
(1) Satan's strategy
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis tell of an older
demon, Screwtape, writing to a younger demon, Wormwood, about how to be
effective in dealing with people. In his first letter Screwtape said, "Your man
has been accustomed, every since he was a boy, to have a dozen incompatible
philosophies dancing about together inside his head. He doesn't think of
doctrines as primarily `true' or `false,' but as `academic' or `practical'....
Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church" ([N.Y.:
Macmillan, 1961], p. 8). Demons know that true science and reason will not
contribute to their cause--deception. Speculations, not facts, must fill men's
minds. All "good" demons will use that strategy because it obscures biblical
truth by focusing on temporal concerns.
(2) The church's legacy
Such jargon has infiltrated many of today's colleges and
seminaries. Also, many television evangelists and preachers barrage the church
with jargon about their false religious systems. It's had an effect. How else
can you explain why some churches have reached the place where they advocate
abortion, women preachers, homosexuality, and divorce for any reason? Why has
the church allowed unholy leaders to remain in leadership? How it is that
husbands no longer lead their homes, and wives have no commitment to the lives
of their children? How could the church ever buy into the self-esteem movement
at the expense of humility and service to others? Jargon has invaded the church.
That's because the church is willing to listen to the world. It is willing to
put the Bible alongside the reason of man. In 2 Timothy 2:14 Paul calls the
world's jargon useless. Worse than that, it's demonic. First Timothy 4:1-2
speaks of doctrines spawned by demons spoken through hypocritical liars.
b) The result of word battles
Paul said these word battles lead to the ruin of the hearers."
The Greek word translated "ruin" (katastroph[ma]e) means "to
overturn," "to subvert," "to upset," or "to overthrow." False teaching doesn't
edify; it tears down. It doesn't strengthen; it weakens.
Katastroph[ma]e is used only one other time in the
New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:6, which gives us insight into the kind of ruin Paul
was referring to. Peter said God "condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to
destruction [katastroph[ma]e] by reducing them to ashes." There
katastroph[ma]e means "total devastation." Paul used it in the
same sense in 2 Timothy 2:14--word battles totally destroy the hearers. They
lead to the damnation of people's eternal souls. That's why 2 Peter 2:1 calls
them destructive heresies that bring about swift destruction. Second Peter 3:16
says, "The untaught and unstable distort [Paul's teaching], as they do also the
rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." We are called to stay away
from false teaching because it has the potential of damning the eternal souls of
those under its influence.
B. It Shames the Teachers (v. 15)
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman
who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth."
1. The key word
The key word is "ashamed." Anyone who teaches anything other
than what accurately reflects the word of truth ought to be ashamed. Shame is
the painful feeling that arises from an awareness of having done something
dishonorable. Anyone who propagates false teaching has reason to ashamed when he
faces God. False teaching is worthy of condemnation by God, not commendation. It
doesn't matter to God how many degrees they have or how erudite they might be.
They have every reason to stand before God in shame for mishandling God's
precious Word.
2. The key response
a) Be diligent
If you're a teacher how do you avoid being ashamed before the
Lord? Second Timothy 2:15 says, "Be diligent" (Gk., (spoudaz[ma]o, "to
give diligence," "to give maximum effort," or "to do your best"). Teaching God's
Word requires maximum effort. That's why 1 Timothy 5:17 says, "Let the elders
who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work
hard at preaching and teaching." It is hard work.
b) Present yourself approved to God
The Greek word translated "present yourself" in 2 Timothy 2:15
(parist[ma]emi) means "to stand alongside." You should desire to
stand alongside God.
Paul then says, "Present yourself approved." The Greek word
translated "approved" means "proven to be worthy after testing." What is the
goal of the teacher? To make a maximum effort so he might someday stand
alongside God unashamed because he has proven himself to be worthy. Paul told
the Galatians that he was not a manpleaser (1:11). The goal of the apostle Paul
was to please God. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 he says, "Just as we have been
approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing
men but God, who examines our hearts." The teacher who stands before the Lord
and hears, "Well done, good and faithful servant" is one who made a maximum
effort.
c) Be a hard worker
The Greek word translated "workman" (ergat[ma]es)
communicates the idea of energy. It refers to a worker or laborer, not a
student. The hard worker is committed to maximum effort so he might come before
his master and show him that his work is worthy. As a result he "does not need
to be ashamed."
d) Handle the word of truth accurately
In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul says, "to handle accurately the word of
truth." The literal meaning of the Greek word translated "handling accurately"
(orthotome[ma]o) is cutting a straight line.
(1) The method
(a) Its pattern
Orthotome[ma]o was used for any task that
required a straight line. For example, it was used for cutting a straight line
with a saw. It was used for making a straight path through woods or mountains.
It was used for building a building, when a straight edge needed to be cut on
stone to be sure the building was built level. It was used of cutting a straight
line on cloth. It was used of cutting straight lines on hides so they could be
pieced together to make a tent.
Paul was a leather worker. We often say he was a tentmaker, but
a better translation of the Greek word is leather worker. He used animal hides,
skins, and perhaps woven hair to make things, possibly tents. You can imagine
that anyone making a tent would have to piece together a lot of hides. He would
have cut each one just right so he could fit them together. It would be similar
to dressmaking. If you don't cut the pieces right from the pattern, the dress
won't look or fit right.
(b) Its principle
If you don't know how to cut the pieces, you can't make the
whole product fit. The same is true in the spiritual realm--biblical theology
and exegesis are interdependent. Every teacher must be committed to handling
accurately (cutting straight) the Word of truth.
(2) The message
"Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15) is a phrase used other times in
Scripture.
(a) Ephesians 1:13--"After listening to the message of
truth, the gospel of your salvation." The message or word of truth refers to the
gospel.
(b) James 1:18--"He [God] brought us forth by the word
of truth."
(c) John 17:17--Jesus said, "Thy word is truth." Here
the word of truth refers to all of God's revelation.
When you realize the importance of handling the gospel
correctly, you've got to acknowledge that there is a lot of preaching today that
doesn't. We have to handle the Word accurately so we don't misrepresent the
gospel. We have to represent all the Word of God, not in a flippant, off handed
way, but in the proper way. That requires diligence and a desire to be approved
by God, not men. It demands that you be a workman.
C. It Leads to Ungodliness (v. 16)
"But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to
further ungodliness."
1. The degeneration of empty talk
The Greek word translated "avoid" means "to walk around" or "to
keep clear of." What are we to avoid? Chatter--jargon of human wisdom apart from
God's revelation. Paul called it "worldly [Gk., beb[ma]elos,
"common, not set apart"] chatter." It is the common, profane, unholy talk of
men.
He also called it "empty", which means it has no benefit--it
yields no return. But empty words soon become evil words because empty words are
like a vacuum. I have a vacuum in my garage I use to clean the car. Once in a
while it sucks up something I don't want it to, like a pen or some coins. That's
what happens with a vacuum--whatever gets near it rushes in. Empty words become
evil words because they suck up sin. Useless talk on useless matters becomes
wicked talk. Words that are not of God soon become unholy words.
2. The result of empty talk
False teachers claim to be advancing our thinking, expanding
our minds, and leading us to new truth. But what they're saying actually "will
lead to further ungodliness" (v. 16). False teachers are ungodly, and they pull
down the people who hear them into their own ungodliness. Peter said "many will
follow their sensuality" (2 Pet. 2:2). Ungodly conduct is always the fruit of
ungodly doctrine.
D. It Spreads Like Gangrene (v. 17a)
"Their talk will spread like gangrene."
Gangrene is dead flesh. The bacterial kind spreads very fast.
The Greek word translated "gangrene" (gangraina) can refer to a
spreading, consuming disease. To cure gangrene, the patient is sometimes placed
in a hyperbaric chamber to expose the affected tissues to oxygen at high
pressure, thereby killing the bacteria, which need an oxygen-free environment.
The patient is then treated with antibiotics. Gangrene is like a prairie fire.
Jude 23 tells us to "save others, snatching them out of the fire." False
teaching is a malignancy--it eats up the neighboring tissue and spreads its
corrupting doctrine to infect others.
E. It Can lead to Apostasy (vv. 17b-18)
1. The definition of apostasy (vv. 17b, 18a)
"Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone
astray from the truth."
Hymanaeus and Philetus were apostates, having erred from the
truth--like those referred to in Hebrews 6:4-6: "In the case of those who have
once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made
partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the
powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew
them again to repentance." That's because they in essence "trampled under foot
the Son of God, and ... regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which
[they were] sanctified, and ... insulted the Spirit of grace" (Heb. 10:29).
2. The error of apostasy (v. 18b)
"Saying that the resurrection has already taken place."
These apostates probably believed that the resurrection was
nothing more than some mystical experience you had when you went from the
unenlightened life to the enlightened life. They probably were buying into a
philosophical heresy that was prevalent at the time.
A denial of the resurrection is a major error. In 1 Corinthians
15:13-14 Paul says that if there were no resurrection of the dead, then Christ
never rose. And if Christ never rose, then neither will we be. A doctrine that
denies the resurrection cuts the heart out of the gospel. It's a denial of
eternal life in a glorified body like Christ's--the essence of the Christian
hope.
3. The effect of apostasy (v. 18c)
"Thus they upset the faith of some."
The Greek word translated "upset" literally means "to
overturn." The people whose faith was overturned obviously had a non-saving
faith. That's because no one can overturn real faith (e.g. John 10:27-29; Rom.
8:30). Second Peter 2:18 says false teachers speak "out arrogant words of vanity
they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the
ones who live in error." Those who are overturned are those who are looking for
God, wanting to believe, and are beginning to open up to the gospel. But they
come under false teaching and it destroys their weak, non-saving faith. False
religious systems wait to suck in the people who are looking for answers to the
pains and pressures of life.
F. It Characterizes People Who Don't Belong to the Lord (v.
19)
1. The solid foundation (v. 19a)
Verse 19 says, "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God
stands." The firm foundation of God is the church--the redeemed. We are the true
people of God who form the solid, immovable foundation that false teachers can't
uproot. False teachers will ruin some, shame some, lead some into ungodliness,
corrupt some, and overturn the faith of some, but not the elect of God. We are a
building not made with hands. We are the temple of the living God. We are the
church Christ is building. The gates of hell will not prevail against (Matt.
16:18). We are those who, having had a good work begun in us, will see it
completed on the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). We are those who will never be
separated from the love of God in Christ (Rom. 8:35). We are those of whom Jesus
said, "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me .... that of all that He
has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day" (John 6:37, 39).
False teaching may devastate the souls of many people, and it may confuse
believers from time to time, but the foundation of the church of God in Christ
is firm. First John 2:14 says, "You are strong, and the word of God abides in
you, and you have overcome the evil one." God called out a people for salvation
and eternal glory before the world began.
2. The guaranteed salvation (v. 19b)
Verse 19 says, "Having this seal." A seal was a mark of
ownership, just as a builder put his name on the cornerstone to identify it as a
building he built. We are the foundation of God, namely His church. He has
stamped us as belonging to Him.
a) Sovereign election
"The Lord knows those who are His."
The church can never be touched by false teachers because we
are His. He holds us in His sovereign power. We are His for eternity. The first
seal we have is we are the elect. That seal is affixed to God's foundation. It
guarantees permanence and makes dissolution impossible. In Matthew 7:22-23 the
Lord says, "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord ...; And then I will
declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness.'" They can't disturb the divine foundation. It will stand because
we are the elect and the Lord knows who we are. Second Thessalonians 2:13 says,
"God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation."
b) Personal sanctification
"Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from
wickedness."
To name the name of the Lord is to be identified with Him. If
you belong to the Lord, abstain from wickedness. God's people are not only
elect, but also called to righteousness. God's election is an election to
holiness. Our salvation is made up of God's predestining mercy and our
inevitable duty. Paul said, "You have been bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:20). If we name the name of the Lord, we'll
abstain from wickedness. It is both an exhortation and an affirmation. The one
who names the name of the Lord will not apostatize but turn away from sin.
The two quotes in 2 Timothy 2:19 appear to be from Numbers 16.
Korah rebelled against God, and many people joined him. But God judged them.
Verse 5 says, "The Lord will show who is His." That is almost the same wording
as the first statement in 2 Timothy 2:19: "The Lord knows those who are His."
When Korah and his friends gathered against Moses and the rest of the people,
Moses affirmed that the Lord knew who belonged to Him. The second statement in 2
Timothy 2:19 parallels Moses' command to the people in Numbers 16:26: "Depart
now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to
them."
God will come in judgment, but He knows who He will spare
because they belong to Him. We know who they are because they will depart from
the tents of wickedness. From the divine side, they're elect; from the human
side, they're obedient. All the false teaching Satan wants to bring across our
path will avail nothing because we stand firm on the foundation of God. Just as
the rebellion under Korah ended in judgment, so will that of every false
teacher.
Focusing on the Facts
1. What did Paul want Timothy to remind the true teachers of (2
Tim. 2:14; see pp. 1-2)?
2. The leaders in the church at Ephesus were to perform their
duty with what in mind (2 Tim. 2:14; see p. 2)?
3. Explain the two aspects of the presence of God (see pp.
3-4).
4. What was the solemn charge that Paul wanted Timothy to
communicate to the leaders in Ephesus? Explain (see p. 4)?
5. What has invaded the church through the false teachers? What
kind of effect is it having on today's church (see p. 5)?
6. What does the future hold for those who listen to "word
battles" (2 Tim. 2:14; see p. 5)?
7. What is the key word of 2 Timothy 2:15? Why (see p. 6)?
8. What four things must believers do to avoid being teachers
who will be ashamed before God? Explain each (see pp. 6-7)?
9. Explain the literal meaning of the phrase "handling
accurately" (see p. 7).
10. What is the principle that Paul is teaching by the
statement "handling accurately the word of truth" (see pp. 7-8)?
11. What is the "word of truth" (see p. 8)?
12. According to 2 Timothy 2:16, what are believers to avoid?
Why (see p. 8)?
13. If people listen to false teachers, what will they be led
into (2 Tim. 2:16; see p. 9)?
14. What error were Hymenaeus and Philetus propagating? Why is
it a major error (2 Tim. 2:18; see p. 10)?
15. Why did certain people have their faith overturned by
listening to the error of the false teachers (see p. 10)?
16. What is the firm foundation of God (see p. 10)?
17. What are the two aspects of the seal God has put on us?
Explain each one (see p. 11).