II Timothy 2:1-26
Phygelus and Hermogenes… (v. 1:15b) and Hymenaeus and Philetus. (v. 2:17b) In two chapters Paul mentions four people, with two sets of similar names and with similar charges against them (…turned away from me… (1:15) and …swerved from the truth… (2:18). Is this really one set of two names? Maybe Paul is recalling these names incorrectly? Maybe a misprint? Or maybe – two sets of two different people, as written…? Strange!!
Paul sets three examples for Timothy – soldier, athlete, farmer (vv. 4, 5, 6). And with each of these he offers positive behavioral characteristics – focused, honorable, deserving. It’s easy for us to ask ourselves if we are exhibiting these same positive behavioral characteristics: staying focused on Jesus, both in church and in our everyday affairs; if we are playing “according to the rules” set by society and by our own internal moral compass; and if we are being “rewarded” for our efforts, in whatever fashion that reward may take.
This third item, I think, applies more to spiritual leaders – deacons, priests, ministers, bishops, etc. But also missionaries come to mind here. Maybe it’s just Mark Bruner’s recent visit and his talk with Carol and me about his own financial struggles and his loss of support from churches year by year. Or newsletters from the Harkonens about their difficulties in fundraising. How can it be that people who fully believe that they are called to serve as missionaries can have such difficulties in raising their needed funds? Mystifying!
See also: October 10 / II Timothy 2:1-13; October 11 / II Timothy 2:14-26
Hmmm… From what I can see, it seems clear that Paul is really talking about two different sets of two people in chapters 1 and 2, although it is strange that the pairs’ names start with similar letters. What is more interesting to me, however, is the trials of being an evangelist that they illustrate (perhaps because we hosted Mark Bruner this past week). In chapter 1, he expresses grief that followers who had previously been with him (including Phygelus and Hermogenes) have deserted him and turned away from the gospel. Then in chapter 2, he names two members of the Ephesian church “who have wandered away from the truth” and are spreading false teachings because they “destroy the faith” of other believers. How sad for Paul! He had planted a church there and they were dear to his heart, but the enemy has a way of twisting the truth and making false teachings sound plausible, as we know…
Mark Bruner has faced and is facing similar trials in Czech Republic, but he is seeing God work in small group beginnings even while the larger church he planted has been practically destroyed by COVID and conflict. Plus, beginning a new chapter of ministry supporting pastors in Malawi and Mozambique has encouraged him that God is not finished with him yet. Perhaps Paul was in a similar frame of mind during his previous imprisonments, but II Timothy 4 clearly shows he feels he’s at the end of his ministry (I know–we’re not there yet…).
I like how Fred highlights the behavioral admonishments Paul makes to Timothy, both in today’s comments and in those from previous years. I had fun making a list for myself:
Whew! That’s plenty to keep me busy!
Finally, I have to say that I love the simile Paul makes about ungodly teaching, which “spreads like gangrene” (v. 17) — can’t argue with that!
Sorry y’all, this got a bit long…
Appreciate those bullet-points! Excellent directions on living a Christian life. Thanks Carol.