2 Timothy 3
Introduction
We can characterize the life journey of Paul as an oceans voyage (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Here he is warning Timothy that his life, and he is to inform his disciples also, is going to be a troublesome voyage. The Apostle uses different imagery to characterize the Christina life (soldier, athlete, farmer), so as I read this description in this passage, it reminded me of a sea voyage, so I decided to use this as my framework to think my way through chapters 3 and 4.
Prognosis for The Voyage (1)
A study of Pual’s writings indicates that for him the term last days refers period between the ascension of Jesus and the second coming of Jesus. You may wish to see is as the time between the first (birth) and second coming. During this period there will be ebbs and flows to the storms. What Paul here is telling Timothy is to secure the mass and man the rudder because these times will intensify. He gives no timeline in this instance, just the warning of intensification as the voyage progresses to the destination.
Why will the Intensification occur (2-12
In this passage conveys the time and space dynamics that are observable on the horizontal plane of daily life. He provides Timothy and us with an array of:
• Malicious characters with whom we must contend (2-4)
• Diverse strategies (5-9)
Anyone involved in ministry, from nursery worker to youth worker, to pastor encounters the wind, storms, and waves generated by these malicious characters and their diverse strategies. For example, in recent history the evangelical day school shooting in Nashville and earlier in the week of this writing, the shooting at the Catholic day school. The action was carried out by malicious people and the diverse strategies are complex generating vicious rolling waves of culture malaise.
Contrast your life, Timothy (verses 10-11) all those disciples to follow (12).
Storms Will Intensify (13)
When Paul repeats himself, we need to give special attention. My son has raised a son who has proven that he makes right choices when a storm blows in. Yet, as he departed recently for his first year at college, my son had a waring, setting the alert button, for my grandson, “You have developed into a fine your man. You have proven yourself wise in every significant challenge. But, son, be on the alert, you can expect the temptations to intensify. You have no one to be accountable to daily. But remember, your Lord is that every moment of every day. Determine to please Him and you will ride out the storms of life.” Well, this is Paul in this verse saying as it were, “Timothy, you have done well handling life’s curb balls up till now, but son, they will intensify. Be on the alert!” The storms will go from bad to worse!
Keep The Sail Trimmed and Keep a Steady Hand on The Helm (14-17)
• Here is how you can keep the sail trimmed (14-15)
• The original word means to sojourn, tarry,
not to depart. Think of a young man trained by a veteran sea captain. The captain stands on the bridge with him before he sails away on his first voyage and says, “Son, remember the fundamentals I taught you. Remember the techniques I taught to you to handle rolling waves.” In Timothy’s case it was sound doctrine that Paul had taught him in depth and the fundamentals of the faith he had learned from his mother and grandmother. It was Paul’s modeling of handling diverse deceptions and deviations.
• Remember your sea sailing handbook. It is your ready reference for (6-17)
o Teaching—The Scriptures are your textbook for content and methodological framework to carry out your ministry assignment.
o Reproving—The Scriptures provide truth (standard) to correct the professing believer who is out of line with these standards.
o Correcting—Again, the Scriptures are the standard to which you coach adherence.
o Training (you disciples how to implement the instructions in daily living that pleases God)
o Producing (and adequate, that is capable) for doing God’s work.
Conclusion
In this chapter, Paul is the veteran sea captain sending off Timothy on perhaps his first solo voyage. In the process, the Holy Spirit has preserved for us these instructions for the voyages of all those disciples to follow. We who are believers are all commissioned. We all have a life voyage to sail for the glory of God, and we are all called to be Timothys while on our journey. We do well to review these instructions from time to time. We all need to remember to review our sailing manual daily.
Implementation
Let me offer three suggestions to help you sail your voyage successfully.
• Set a regular time and commitment to keeping the appointment with God regularly (I am a realist. Sometimes, likely at least weekly, the storms and waves of life will take all your energy and time that day to keep the ship steady in the storm but make no excuse to make it a habit).
• Don’t just read words to check the box. Have a conversation with the Lord. Read a passage (I chose a chapter), talk to the Lord about it. Ask questions, like, Lord, why is this command in the present tense, or past tense? Or, Lord, I’m not getting the meaning here. You promise to lead me into all truth, so please help understand what I just read. As you have the conversation with the Lord, jot down notes and preserve the conversation for yourself (may to share with a spouse, child or friend). Close your time with prayer. If you have become of a sin in your life, confess it and review the promise of 1 John 1:9. Pray for your family, pastor, and for wisdom for the day ahead.
• As you navigate the day’s voyage, be alert on two fronts. First, be alert for the malicious and deceivers. Second, be on the alert for someone you can bless by sharing you conversations with the Lord that day (or from a day or two before).