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A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD

2 Timothy 2:14-26

Key Verse 15

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Introduction

In this Passage, Paul warned Timothy to protect church from false teachers by present himself to God as a good worker approved by God. He also told him to avoid argument about word of God mentioning the result of doing it and false teachers’ influence. He also encouraged Timothy to prepare himself to be used by God as good instrument of God

1. Read verses 14–19. What must we be warned of? (14) How can we become workmen approved by God? (15) What will happen to godless chatter? (16) In what way were the false teachers dangerous? (17, 18) What must everyone who confesses the name of the Lord do? (19)

1-1. Read verses 14–19.

Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

1-2. What must we be warned of? (14)

Keep reminding God’s people of these things

- Reminding things which they did already know; not to tell people that which they never knew before.

· Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen

- They quarrel for small matters.

- They argue about controversial things not considering the hearers.

- quarreling about words doesn’t have any benefit. Rather It is destructive.

- The argument can draw believers away from the great truth of God and the truth of God can be in danger of being lost. Arguments don’t give answer for the issue but they are only useless and hurtful

1-3. How can we become workmen approved by God? (15)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

· God’s servants must be approved unto God, to be accepted of him

KJV shows,

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

- Timothy’s goal was not to present himself approved to people, but to God.

- Timothy was not supposed to worry about how to present others to God as approved servants. Rather he must present himself approved to God first.

- Rightly dividing the word of truth: This was to be a focus of Timothy’s hard work. He was to work hard so he could rightly divide the word of God.

- It wasn’t enough for Timothy to know some Bible stories and verses and apply them through his sermons as illustrations. His teaching was to be a “right dividing” of the Word of God, correctly teaching his congregation.

- It is not a matter of whose interpretation is better, but a matter of correct interpretation in accordance with what God meant through His words.

- So it is to be consistent with what the Bible says in the specific passage and with the entire message of the Scriptures.

- Though perfection in understanding God’s word is not easy at all, but we should still work hard at it.

- To be approved by him, they must also be faithful in doing their work as a workman that needs not be ashamed.

- God’s servants must be workmen; they have work to do, and they must take pains in it.

- Workmen that are unfaithful, or lazy should be ashamed; but workman who keep doing their work faithfully should not be ashamed.

- Again their main work is to handle the word of truth correctly. They should not invent a new gospel but handle the gospel that is entrusted to him.

- To handle the gospel correctly it requires great wisdom, study, care, and much effort

1-4. What will happen to godless chatter? (16)

those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly

- They boasted of their notions and their arguments. Their performance might be attractive to the people. But Paul call them vain chatters.

- They will become more ungodly.

1-5. In what way were the false teachers dangerous? (17, 18)

Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

· The way of error is down-hill; one absurdity being granted or contended for, a thousand follow.

· Their false teaching will eat as gangrene; when errors or heresies come into the church, the infecting of one often proves the infecting of many, or the infecting of the same person with one error often proves the infecting of her with many errors.

- The little wrong teachings and heresies can infect the whole body of church quickly.

- The false teaching is very disseminative and dangerous.

· Hymenaeus and Philetus- false teachers. They gave wrong teaching about the fundamental truth of the gospel.

- The resurrection of the dead is one of the great doctrines of Christ. They did not deny the resurrection, but they put a wrong interpretation upon that true doctrine, saying that the resurrection was past already, that what Christ spoke concerning the resurrection was to be understood mystically and by way of allegory, that it must be meant of a spiritual resurrection only.

- It is true, there is a spiritual resurrection, but there will be also a true and real resurrection of the body at the last day.

- By teaching wrong doctrine, they overthrew the faith of believers, took them off from the belief of the resurrection of the dead

- If there be no resurrection of the dead, no reward of our services and sufferings in another world, we are of men the most miserable (1 Cor. 15:19).

- When false teachers teach wrong doctrine, they pretend to believe the truth. Hymenaeus and Philetus did not deny a resurrection, but argued it was already a past thing.

- False teaching affects the foundation of someone’s faith and could overthrow the person’s faith.

1-6. What must everyone who confesses the name of the Lord do? (19)

God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

· All the attacks of false teaching cannot shake the fundamental truth of the gospel; it stands firm forever.

· Whatever false teachings are introduced into the church, the foundation of God stands firm, his purpose can never be defeated.

· The prophets and apostles, that is, the doctrines of the Old and New Testament, are still firm; and they have a seal with two mottoes upon it.

· Though the faith of some believers could be overthrown, yet the foundation of God stands for sure; it is not possible that they could deceive the elect.

· The Lord knows those who are his, he owns them, so knows them that he will never lose them.

· No one can overthrow the faith of any believer whom God had sealed through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14 reads,

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

· Everyone who confesses the name of Christ must depart from sin. Those who received God’s grace must make conscience of the duty which is turning away from wickedness.

· If the name of Christ be called upon us, we must depart from sins, otherwise he will not recognize us; he will say in the great day (Matt. 7:23), ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

· Christians are called by Jesus’ name, and therefore are bound to depart from sins. For Christ gave himself to redeems us from all sins, we must turn away from all our sins.

2. Read verses 20-21. In what respect is the church of God, ‘a large house’? (20) What is the meaning of ‘special purposes’ as mentioned in verse 20? How can we be instruments ready for the Master's use? (21)

2-1. Read verses 20-21.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

2-2. In what respect is the church of God, ‘a large house’? (20)

there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use

King James Verse shows,

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

· The church of Christ is like a great house that has many articles.

· Some of the articles of this house are of great value; for special use. Some of them have small value, and put to common uses, as the vessels of wood and clay; so it is in the church of God.

2-3. What is the meaning of ‘special purposes’ as mentioned in verse 20?

There are vessels of gold and silver, vessels of honor that are sanctified and meet for the Master’s use.

· There are some vessels of wood and clay, they are vessels of dishonor.

· In the church there are some vessels of honor and some of dishonor

· Some dishonors the church by their false teachings and wicked lives and others honor the church by their good teachings and good life before God.

· Preparing ourselves to be used by God is believer’s responsibility.

· When we cleanse ourselves through repentance, it makes us a vessel for honorable purpose.

· God called each of us to be holy, useful, prepared to do any good work. We should prepare ourselves that God may use us fully to fulfill his will.

· When we are discouraged by the bad influence of some people in the church, we must encourage ourselves by the consideration of those who are doing good things in the church.

We have the potential to be used as a vessel of honor or as a vessel of dishonor. So it is up to our desire and will or in a proportion to our willingness, we could be a gold platter in the house of God, beautifully displaying the fruit of the Spirit. Or we could be a garbage can in God’s house.

2-4. How can we be instruments ready for the Master's use? (21)

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

· Now we should check if we are precious vessels of honor.

· We must cleanse ourselves from dirty sins, that we may be sanctified for our Master’s use.

· By cleansing ourselves we can be a vessel of honor, or meet for his Master’s use. Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work. The tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good.

· Every vessel must be fit for its Master’s use; everyone in the church must be devoted to his Master’s service and meet for his use.

3. Read verses 22-26. What should the Lord’s servant do and pursue? (22-24) How should our opponents be served? (25, 26)

3-1. Read verses 22-26.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

3-2. What should the Lord’s servant do and pursue? (22-24)

· Paul here exhorts Timothy to beware of evil desire of youth. Even though he was a holy good man, yet Paul thought it necessary to caution him against youthful lusts.

· The evil desires of youth are youthful lusts, which young people must carefully watch against.

· Youthful lusts are very dangerous, for which reason even hopeful young people should be warned of them.

· He prescribes a good way to overcome youthful lusts: Follow righteousness, faith, love, peace.

· Pursuing what God wants us to do will extinguish our sinful desire. The more we follow the desire of the Holy Spirit, the faster and the further we shall flee from that which is evil.

· Righteousness, and faith, and love, and peace will be excellent antidotes against youthful lusts. Holy love will cure impure lust

This work of cleansing is really God’s work in us and not our work. But there is another aspect of cleansing which God looks for us to do with the participation of our own will and effort.

1 John 1:9 reads,

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

· Along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. The keeping up of the fellowship of believers will take us off from lusts and evil behaviors.

· Christians call on the Lord Jesus Christ, out of a pure heart. Our prayers to God and Christ are neither acceptable nor successful except they come out of a pure heart.

· He also cautions him against foolish argument that produces quarrels.

· Those who argue of words of God could be wise and learned; but Paul calls them foolish and stupid.

· It is very remarkable how often, and with what seriousness, the apostle cautions Timothy against disputes in words of God. It shows that our Christian life consists more in believing and practicing what God requires than in engaging in subtle disputes merely.

· Servants of the Jesus must not be quarrelsome but must be kind and gentle to everyone. Through this they can show that they obey the command that they are preaching.

· Those are quarrelsome are unapt to teach others. Servant of God must be patient, bearing with evil, and in meekness instructing not only those who subject themselves, but those who oppose themselves.

· This is the way to convey truth in its light and power, and to overcome evil with good

3-3. How should our opponents be served? (25, 26)

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

· Opponents should be instructed in gentleness with the hope of their recovery God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

· Repentance is God’s gift. God could grant repentance to those who oppose and lead them to knowledge of the truth.

· If God doesn’t lead them to the truth, their hearts would continue in rebellion against it.

· Those who oppose the truth are in the snare of the devil, and are led captive by him at his will.

· They are slaves to the devil; he is the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.

· The happiness of those who repent: they recover themselves out of this snare, as a bird out of the snare of the fowler.

· When sinners repent, they will come to be led into the glorious liberty of the children of God, and have their wills melted into the will of the Lord Jesus.

Conclusion

God called us to do good work in the Lord. As bible teachers for God’s flock, we should be able to handle the word of God correctly and avoid useless argument about the word of God. When we cleanse ourselves from evils things inside and out we can be holy instruments that God can use for any good work. May God help us to present ourselves to God daily as one approved.

One word, A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD