Half of Rome had been destroyed in July of 64 AD by a fire caused by *Nero … which he blamed on the **Christians. Christianity subsequently became religio illictio (translates to "impermissible religion" or "unlicensed religion" in Latin); in the context of the ***Roman Empire, religious practices that were not officially sanctioned or recognized by the Roman government, often lead to persecution or suppression. Confessing ****Yeshua Ha’Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) as Lord, Deliverer, and King by professing Christians, became severe. By the time of *****Apostle Paul's return from Spain to #Asia in 66 AD, his enemies were able to use the official Roman position against Christians to their advantage. Fearing for their own lives, the Asia Believers failed to support Paul after his arrest (v. 1:15); the apostle found himself in circumstances very different from those of his first imprisonment (Acts 28:16 thru 31). Paul wrote this ##epistle in the Fall season of 67 AD, hoping Timothy would be able to visit him before the approaching Winter - but Timothy was in Ephesus at the time of the letter (v. 1:18) and on his way to Rome.
The ****Christ of Second Timothy is alive & immortal. Christ appeared on Earth, "abolished death & brought life and immortality to light through the ###Gospel" (v. 1:10); He rose from the dead (v. 2:8); provides salvation & "eternal glory" (v. 2:10) - for if Believers "died with Him" they will also "live with Him" (v. 2:11). All who love His appearing will "reign with Him" (v. 2:12).
The key word of Second Timothy is endurance in the ministry. In this letter, Paul commissions (officially charge a person with a particular function) Timothy to faithfully endure (to hold out against; undergo) and carry on (continue an activity or task) the work that the condemned apostle must now relinquish (to give up a responsibility). This set if instructions encourages Timothy to use the Word of Elohim constantly in order to overcome growing obstacles to the spread of the Gospel. Timothy is in great need of encouragement because of the hardships he is facing, and Paul uses this letter to instruct him about handling persecution (hostility and ill-treatment) from the secular (no ties to any religion, or neutral in regards to any and all religions) authorities and dissension (heated debates, arguments, or conflicts, often leading to a lack of unity and cooperation) & deception (any act of misleading or creating a false impression; an outright lie is a form of deception, but deception can also occur without a false statement being made) within the ####church. As a spiritual father, Apostle Paul urges his young helper to overcome his natural timidity and boldly proclaim the Gospel, even of it means he will suffer for doing so (vv. 2;3 & 4).
The 2nd Chapter of Timothy ought to be required daily reading for every pastor & full-time Christian worker. Paul lists the keys to an enduring and successful ministry: (vv. 1 & 2) a reproducing ministry (vv. 3 thru 13) an enduring ministry (vv. 14 thru 18) a studying ministry; and (vv. 19 thru 26) a holy ministry.
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Wednesday Bible Study/2 TIMOTHY ~ Chapter 2
Discipling Teacher
(vv. 1 & 2)
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace (choosing to be kind, understanding, and forgiving) that is in ****Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Ephesians 6:10). And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Single-Minded Soldier
(vv. 3 thru 5)
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (1 Timothy 1:18). No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules (1 Corinthians 9:25).
Enduring Farmer
(vv. 6 thru 13)
The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the ****Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, of the *#seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my teaching (Romans 1:3 & 4; 1 Corinthians 15:4; & Romans 2:16), for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer (criminal, villain, wrongdoer), even to the point of chains; but the Word of Elohim is not chained (Acts 9:16 & Acts 28:31; Ephesians 3:1). Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the **#elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach with eternal glory (Ephesians 3:13; chosen ones; 2 Corinthians 1:6).
This is a faithful saying: For if we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him (Romans 6:5 & 8). If we endure (Romans 5:17 & 8:17), we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us (Matthew 10:33). If we are faithless … He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself (Numbers 23:19).
Diligent Workman
(vv. 14 thru 19)
Remind them of these things, charging (bidding, instructing, banning, directing, prohibiting, forbidding, barring) them before the Lord not to strive (quarrel, dispute) about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to Elohim - a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the ***#Word of Truth - but shun (avoid, ignore, or reject) profane (unholy, polluted, secular) and vain (empty, foolish, useless) babblings (the use of many words = useless words for self-promotion); for they will increase to more ungodliness (treacherous, rash, & “high minded” = living your everyday life with little or no thought for Elohim, His will, His glory, or your own dependence on Him). And their message will spread like cancer (abnormal cells, by which uncontrolled growth can invade and spread to other parts of the body). ^Hymenaeus & ^^Philetus are of this sort (1 Timothy 1:20), who have strayed concerning the Truth, saying that the resurrection is already past (they were teaching that the physical resurrection of the Believer's bodies had already taken place); and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless, the solid foundation of Elohim stands, having this seal (closure, confirmation, or protection): "The Lord knows those that are His" and, "Let everyone who names the Name of Christ depart from iniquity" (1 Corinthians 3:11 & Nahum 1:7).
Sanctified Vessel
(vv. 20 thru 23)
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver - but also of wood & clay; some for honor and some for dishonor (Romans 9:21). Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor - sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they will generate strife.
Gentle Servant
(vv. 24 thru 26)
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle with all, able to teach, patient (1 Timothy 3:3), in humility correcting those who are in opposition; if Elohim perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth (Acts 8:22; Galatians 6:1; & 1 Timothy 2:4), and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
**Wednesday Bible Study/2 TIMOTHY ~ Chapter 1: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/03/wednesday-bible-study2-timothy-chapter-1.html
*Nero: Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (/ˈnɪəroʊ/ NEER-oh; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68) was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his death in AD 68.
Most Roman sources offer overwhelmingly negative assessments of his personality and reign. Most contemporary sources describe him as tyrannical, self-indulgent, and debauched. The historian Tacitus claims the Roman people thought him compulsive and corrupt. Suetonius tells that many Romans believed the Great Fire of Rome was instigated by Nero to clear land for his planned "Golden House". Tacitus claims Nero seized Christians as scapegoats for the fire and had them burned alive, seemingly motivated not by public justice, but personal cruelty.
**Christians: Early Jewish Believers in Yeshua, referred to themselves as being of 'The Way' (Koinē Greek: τῆς ὁδοῦ, romanized: tês hodoû), an expression possibly coming from Isaiah 40:3, "prepare the way of the Lord". According to Acts 11:26, the term "Christian" (Χρῑστῐᾱνός, Khrīstiānós), meaning "followers of Christ" and referring to Yeshua's disciples, was first used in the city of Antioch by the Gentiles there. The earliest recorded use of the term "Christianity/Christianism" (Χρῑστῐᾱνισμός, Khrīstiānismós) was by Ignatius of Antioch around 100 AD. The name Jesus comes from Ancient Greek: Ἰησοῦς Iēsous, probably from Hebrew/Aramaic: יֵשׁוּעַ Yēšūaʿ.
***Roman Empire: The Roman Empire was a vast and influential civilization that spanned the Mediterranean region and parts of Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. It evolved from the Roman Republic and was ruled by emperors, who held absolute authority - starting with Augustus in 27 BC. The empire reached its greatest extent in 117 AD under Emperor Trajan. While the Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, continued for another thousand years, finally falling in 1453.
The Roman military was a formidable force, crucial to the Empire's expansion and defense. The Roman citizens were renowned for their engineering feats, including road construction, aqueducts, and public works. Roman culture and law profoundly influenced Western civilization, with lasting impacts on language, art, architecture, and law.
****Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.
Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.
Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.
The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.
*****Apostle Paul = known as Saul before he converted to Christianity (Acts 9), was the chief killer of Christians following Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and ascension – being the foremost witness to the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).
The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian Church. He played a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) during the first century, and his missionary journeys took him all throughout the Roman empire.
Apostle (/əˈpɒsəl/) = in its literal sense, is an emissary. The word is derived from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), literally "one who is sent off", itself derived from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (apostéllein), "to send off". The purpose of such sending off is usually to convey a message, and thus "messenger" is a common alternative translation; other common translations include "ambassador" and "envoy".
Apostle in the Gospels is one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul.
#Asia: Asia in the New Testament was referred to a specific region, now known as Asia Minor or Anatolia (present-day Turkey), not the continent of Asia. At the time of 2 Timothy, it was part of the Roman world well within the Greek cultural zone. It was located south of the Bosporus, west of Galatia. Several of the Paul's missionary journeys took him through this region, including cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, and other locations mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Paul also traveled to other parts of Asia Minor, including Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, Bithynia, and Troas.
##Epistles = letters written to Christians by apostles and other figures. The word "epistle" comes from the Greek word epistolḗ which means "letter".
###Gospel = Good News: the word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term, god-spell, meaning “good story”; Biblically speaking, gospel is a rendering of the Latin evangelium and the Greek euangelion, meaning “good news” or “good telling”.
####Church: every time we encounter “church” in the New Testament, it designates the people (ekklēsia), not a building. The church is the people of God, the assembly and body of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Various biblical metaphors for the church - the family, the body, the temple, the flock (congregation” originally meant “gathered flock) - all serve to connect our understanding of “the church” to God’s people.
The essential nature as the church, it is that we are called of God, and on account of the renewing work of the Spirit in us, we are by ongoing faith and repentance responsive to that divine call. Paul prays for the saints in Ephesus that Elohim would be glorified “in the church [ekklēsia] and in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach throughout all generations” (Eph. 3:21). A few verses later, he urges the church “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling [klēseōs] to which you have been called [eklēthēte] ... "there is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called [eklēthēte) to the one hope that belongs to your call [klēseōs] (Eph. 4:4–5).” The connection between the church’s name (ekklēsia) and divine calling (klēseōs) is clear.
*#"The Seed of David" = refers to the lineage or descendants of King David, particularly as it relates to the Messiah, Yeshua Ma'Mashiach, in the New Covenant (New Testament). It signifies Yeshua's fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies that a savior would come from King David's line.
**#elect = those who are part of Elohim's Covenant and Plan for Salvation.
***#Word of Truth = refers to the Holy Scriptures, which are divinely inspired and considered Elohim's Word. It also encompasses the truth about Elohim's character, revelation, and His ultimate purpose for humanity, as well as the message of salvation offered through Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.
^Hymenaeus: (pronounced [hi-men'-ee-us]) was a heretic (a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted), who was undermining the faith of weaker converts. Paul warned Timothy twice about Hymenaeus, who had slipped into the error of teaching that the resurrection was simply an allegorical (mysterious = to convey (semi-) hidden or complex meanings through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or events, which together create the moral or spiritual meaning the author wishes to convey) way of saying that one's soul was released from sin. This distortion of the Gospel was appealing to many who had gnostic leanings (gnosticism's beliefs include the idea that the material world was created by an imperfect divine being) or Greek backgrounds (ancient Greek theology was polytheistic = based on the assumption that there were many gods and goddesses, as well as a range of lesser supernatural beings of various types. There was a hierarchy of deities, with Zeus, the king of the gods, having a level of control over all the others, although he was not almighty). Apostle Paul recognized the dangers of Hymenaeus' claims and finally excommunicated (banished, exiled, excluded, & expelled) him (1 Timothy 1:20 & 2 Timothy 2:17).
^^Philetus: (pronounced [phil-ee-tus']) was an early heretic in the early Christian Church. Philetus & Hymenaeus were denounced (to publicly state that someone or something is bad or wrong = to criticize harshly and publicly) by Apostle Paul for distorting the Gospel and undermining the beliefs of others. Specifically Philetus was guilty of the gnostic teachings which tried to "spiritualize" everything - including Yeshua's resurrection, death itself, and the life of Believers in this world (2 Timothy 2:17).
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