II Timothy 2:14-26
…not to quarrel about words… (v.14), …avoid irreverent babble… (v. 16), …have swerved from the truth (v. 18), …foolish, ignorant controversies (v. 23), …must not be quarrelsome… (v. 24). In all of these phrases in today’s reading Paul is chastising disputes and false teachings. This must have been a big problem in Ephesus (where Timothy presumably lived and led the believers) which was a center for commerce and knowledge in “Asia” (modern-day Turkey). It’s still a problem for us today, but Paul’s counsel to Timothy is still wise today: “not to quarrel”, “avoid”, “have nothing to do with”. More and more I see less and less of members of our congregation discussing issues with the Episcopal Church or recalling our departure from that body – “and that’s a good thing” (quoting Carol from numerous occasions)!
But on a positive note, Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (v. 21) There’s that “good works” item that we have seen so often in these pastoral letters. There’s a message from Paul: DO GOOD WORKS!
Slava Bohu!
Good words, Fred. I am encouraged when we talk about i.e., focus on, the good, the Gospel good news of Jesus, fully God, fully man, and the presence of the kingdom of God. Chatter, in Paul’s term, about other’s beliefs, errors, Episcopal or otherwise, is to me a distraction from our focus on God.