Second Timothy
Second Timothy was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson Seven (Chapter 2 continued)
("STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD...")

 

"Of these things..."

I. "Put them in remembrance" (v 14)

Paul has just listed numerous positive things that offer strength and encouragement to young Timothy and the believer:

1. •"He abideth faithful" (v 13)
   

2. •"if we suffer we shall also reign" (v 12)
   

3. •"we shall also live with him" (v 11)
   

4. •our enduring works towards someone else's salvation (v 10)
   

5. •"the Word of God is not bound" (v 9)
   

6. •the resurrection of Christ (v 8)
   

7. •the Lord gives understanding (v 7)
   

8. •the faithful Christian will be a partaker of the fruits
   

9. •also: be strong (v 1), endure hardness (v 3), strive lawfully (v 5)
    
   

II. "Charging them before the Lord" (v 14)

Charge within the context means to exhort or encourage with all authority. The "them" is the "things" put in remembrance (see: Acts 20:2; 1 Tim. 4:13; Rom. 12:8; Heb. 10:25; Acts 14:22; Acts 15:32).

The "charging" is the alternative to "striving about words to no profit" and the "profane and vain babblings" of (vs. 16). "When God gave man the faculty of speech, He gave him a tool for building and a weapon for destroying." (Warren Wiersbe).

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers." (Eph. 4:29)

III. "...Strive not about words to no profit..."(v 14)

... Shun profane and vain babblings " (v 16) (I Tim. 6:3-5) "...doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings..."

(Tit. 3:9,10) - "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."

Too many young and older Christians alike volunteer information on subjects they know very little about causing themselves endless grief and destroying their credibility when discussing biblical topics.

(I Tim. 6:20) - "...avoiding profane and vain babblings' and oppositions of science falsely so called..."

(Matt. 12:36) - "...every idle word that men shall speak,' they shall give account..." (Job 26:4; Mal. 3:16; Jas. 3:1-12).

The passage says that profane and vain babblings will:
    (a). not profit (v 14)
    (b). subvert the hearers; (v 14) Subvert means "to overturn from the foundation, overthrow or destroy".
    (c). "increase to more ungodliness" (v 16)
    (d). eat as a canker (v 17)
    (e). "overthrow the faith of some". (v 18)

IV. "Study"

A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject to be learned or investigated; act or process of acquiring by one's own efforts, knowledge or information on a particular subject.

Why? "to show thyself approved unto God..." There are five things you can do with the Word of God:

[1]. Read it - (I Tim. 4:13)

[2]. Memorize it - (Ps. 119:11)

[3]. Study it - (2 Tim. 2:15)

[4]. Use it - (Heb. 5:13, 14)

[5]. Neglect it - (Heb. 2:1-4)

"approved unto God" (Rom. 16:10; 1 Thess. 5:21; Gal. 6:4; 1 Tim. 3:10; Deut. 8:2).

A. Can you prove from the Bible what you believe doctrinally and can you demonstrate biblically the principles you claim to live by?

B. What about alleged discrepancies? Why are they there?

[1]. To stimulate your interest; the Bible offers a challenge.

[2]. They offer additional proof of the absence of collusion amongst the authors.

[3]. Serves to exhort and strengthen the believer.

[4]. Presents the balance God intends us to live within (Ecc. 3:1-8).

[5]. Casts a stumbling block to the disbelievers (Eze. 14:1-5). "Answer a fool according to his folly… " (Pr. 26:5).

How about these?

Doctrinal "Discrepancies

1. •Omnipotence of God - (Jer. 32:27 & Jud. 1:19)
   

2. •Omniscience of God - (Ps. 139:2-4 & Gen. 22:12; Acts 1:24 & Deut. 13:3)
   

3. •Divinity of Christ - (Phil. 2:5-8 & Jn. 14:28)
   

4. •Invisibility of God - Gen. (32:30 & Ez. 33:20; Isa. 6:1 & Jn. 1:18)
   

5. •Mission of Christ - (Jn. 14:27 & Mt. 10:34-36)
   

6. •The Kingdoms - (Dan. 7:14 & I Cor. 15:24-28)
   

Ethical "Discrepancies

1. •Anger - (Eph. 4:26 & Ecc. 7:9)
   

2. •Drink - (Pr. 31:6,7 & Pr. 23:29-32)
   

3. •Temptation - (Jas. 1:2 & Matt. 6:13)
   

4. •Responsibility - (Gal. 6:2 & Gal. 6:5)
   

5. •Adultery - (Num. 31:18 & Ex. 20:14)
   

6. •Weapons - (Lk. 22:36 & Matt. 26:52)
   

7. •The Fool - (Pr. 26:4,5)
   
   

Historical "Discrepancies

1. •(Num. 25:9 & I. Cor. 10:8)
   

2. •(2 Chr. 22:2 & 2 Kgs. 8:26)
   

3. •(I Chr. 2:15 & I Sam. 16:10,11)
   

4. •(I Kgs.15:14 & 2 Chr. 14:3-5)
   

5. •(2 Kgs. 13:7 & 2 Chr. 25:6)
   

6. 
   

Dispensational Discrepancies

1. •Man's Innocence - The Fall (Gen. 1-3) Genesis 3 - Exodus 20;
   

2. •Exodus 20 - John 1 (Jn 1:17)
   

3. •John the Baptist - Matt. 27 Matt. 28 - Through the Church Age, Tribulation, Millennium
   

4. •Eternity - (I Cor. 15:28; Col. 1:19; Jn. 17; Jn. 16:27) e.g. John 20:22 - reception of the Holy Ghost no Baptism
   

5. •Acts 2:38 - the gift received at Baptism
   

6. •Acts 10:44 - the Holy Ghost received before Baptism
   

7. 
   

''The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things." (Pr. 15:28)

 

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