2 Timothy 2 New
International Version - UK (NIVUK)
The appeal renewed
2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the
things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to
reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in
suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier
gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding
officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the
victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking
farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I
am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my
gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a
criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for
the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ
Jesus, with eternal glory.
11
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If
we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If
we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Dealing with false
teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s
people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling 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.’
20
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.
22
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.
The beauty of one verse.
2 Timothy 2 from Elim
Missions
Verse
1
My
son. He wasn't his son. Not biologically. But Paul was his spiritual father. We
are short of such fathers. We have fathers but not spiritual fathers. The ones
that demonstrate Christlikeness. The ones that cheer on, applaud and have a
desire that the son goes further, does more, than the father. The ones who say
"keep going",v3; "keep focused", v4-6; "keep looking
to Jesus", v8-13; "keep leading", v14 onwards.
Be
strong in the grace. We must find our strength not in our achievements and our
status, our titles and accomplishments. We must find strength not in the
plaudits and praise of man. But we are strong in a love that is not based on
whether we are good or bad, whether we are successful or have failed, but in
grace. Grace that seems unfair. Grace that covers and clothes. Grace that never
dies because He died to release it. You will let many people down, you will
disappoint, you will not be popular all the time. But be strong in Grace.
By
doing so you will realise you are not perfect, you need Grace. You probably
agree with your critics, but Grace disagrees. You do not take yourself too
seriously, you know you will always need Grace. You can survive your humanity
because of Grace.
This
is Grace not from man. Man can never deliver such Grace. Man wants conditions.
They want a win-win. You get something from them but they want something from
you. Man can not let you fail and get away with it. They won't let it pass.
They must speak up. Thank God it is not this Grace we need. But the Grace that
makes us strong is found in Christ Jesus. Remember Him, Jesus, raised from the
dead ... This is my gospel, v8.
It's
worth reminding ourselves.
Matthew Henry's
Commentary
Verses 8-13
I.
To encourage Timothy in suffering, the apostle puts him in mind of the
resurrection of Christ (2 Tim. 2:8): Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of
David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel. This is the great
proof of his divine mission, and therefore a great confirmation of the truth of
the Christian religion; and the consideration of it should make us faithful to
our Christian profession, and should particularly encourage us in suffering for
it. Let suffering saints remember this. Observe, 1. We are to look to Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him,
endured the cross, despised the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God, Heb. 12:2. 2. The incarnation and resurrection of Jesus
Christ, heartily believed and rightly considered, will support a Christian
under all sufferings in the present life.
II.
Another thing to encourage him in suffering was that he had Paul for an
example. Observe,
1.
How the apostle suffered (2 Tim. 2:9): Wherein I suffer as an evil-doer; and
let not Timothy the son expect any better treatment than Paul the father. Paul
was a man who did good, and yet suffered as an evil-doer: we must not think it
strange if those who do well fare ill in this world, and if the best of men meet
with the worst of treatment; but this was his comfort that the word of God was
not bound. Persecuting powers may silence ministers and restrain them, but they
cannot hinder the operation of the word of God upon men’s hearts and
consciences; that cannot be bound by any human force. This might encourage
Timothy not to be afraid of bonds for the testimony of Jesus; for the word of
Christ, which ought to be dearer to him than liberty, or life itself, should in
the issue suffer nothing by those bonds. Here we see, (1.) The good apostle’s
treatment in the world: I suffer trouble; to this he was called and appointed.
(2.) The pretence and colour under which he suffered: I suffer as an evil-doer;
so the Jews said to Pilate concerning Christ, If he were not a malefactor, we
would not have delivered him up to thee, John 18:30. (3.) The real and true
cause of his suffering trouble as an evil-doer: Wherein; that is, in or for the
sake of the gospel. The apostle suffered trouble unto bonds, and afterwards he
resisted unto blood, striving against sin, Heb. 12:4. Though the preachers of
the word are often bound, yet the word is never bound.
2.
Why he suffered cheerfully: I endure all things for the elects’ sake, 2 Tim.
2:10. Observe, (1.) Good ministers may and should encourage themselves in the
hardest services and the hardest sufferings, with this, that God will certainly
bring good to his church, and benefit to his elect, out of them.—That they may
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. Next to the salvation of our own
souls we should be willing to do and suffer any thing to promote the salvation
of the souls of others. (2.) The elect are designed to obtain salvation: God
hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation, 1 Thess. 5:9. (3.)
This salvation is in Christ Jesus, in him as the fountain, the purchaser, and
the giver of it; and it is accompanied with eternal glory: there is no
salvation in Christ Jesus without it. (4.) The sufferings of our apostle were
for the elects’ sake, for their confirmation and encouragement.
III.
Another thing with which he encourages Timothy is the prospect of a future
state.
1.
Those who faithfully adhere to Christ and to his truths and ways, whatever it
cost them, will certainly have the advantage of it in another world: If we be
dead with him, we shall live with him, 2 Tim. 2:11. If we be dead with him, we
shall live with him, 2 Tim. 2:11. If, in conformity to Christ, we be dead to
this world, its pleasures, profits, and honours, we shall go to live with him
in a better world, to be for ever with him. Nay, though we be called out to
suffer for him, we shall not lose by that. Those who suffer for Christ on earth
shall reign with Christ in heaven, 2 Tim. 2:12. Those who suffered with David
in his humiliation were preferred with him in his exaltation: so it will be
with those who suffer with the Son of David.
2.
It is at our peril if we prove unfaithful to him: If we deny him, he also will
deny us. If we deny him before man, he will deny us before his Father, Matt.
10:33. And that man must needs be for ever miserable whom Christ disowns at
last. This will certainly be the issue, whether we believe it or no (2 Tim.
2:13): If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself. He
is faithful to his threatenings, faithful to his promises; neither one nor the
other shall fall to the ground, no, not the least, jot nor tittle of them. If
we be faithful to Christ, he will certainly be faithful to us. If we be false
to him, he will be faithful to his threatenings: he cannot deny himself, cannot
recede from any word that he hath spoken, for he is yea, and amen, the faithful
witness. Observe, (1.) Our being dead with Christ precedes our living with him,
and is connected with it: the one is in order to the other; so our suffering
for him is the way to reign with him. You that have followed me in the
regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, you
also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel Matt.
19:28. (2.) This is a faithful saying, and may be depended on and ought to be
believed. But, (3.) If we deny him, out of fear, or shame, or for the sake of
some temporal advantage, he will deny and disown us, and will not deny himself,
but will continue faithful to his word when he threatens as well as when he
promises.
The Bible Panorama
2 Timothy 2
V 1: GRACIOUS STRENGTH Paul encourages his son
in the faith to be ‘strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus’.
V 2: GENERATE SUCCESSORS Just as Timothy has
heard God’s truth from Paul, he is to commit the same message to faithful men
in order that they may teach others. He is to seek to generate leadership
successors, by God’s grace.
V 3–7: GODLY SIMILARITIES Timothy must endure
hardship as Christ’s good soldier and not get entangled with the affairs of
this life, but please his commanding officer, God. A Christian is like a
competitive athlete who will not get his crown unless he keeps the rules in
competing. He is also like a hard-working farmer whose effort will be rewarded
by benefiting from the harvest. Paul prays that God will give Timothy understanding
to apply these truths.
V 8–10: GOSPEL SUFFERING Paul’s imprisonment is
because of his gospel proclamation including that Jesus Christ has risen from
the dead. He is prepared to endure suffering for the sake of others who will
come to know salvation in Christ.
V 11–13: GREAT SAVIOUR Paul then quotes a
saying emphasising the Christian’s death-to-self life, risen life, endurance,
reign to come, and the need to remain faithful to Him and not to deny Him. All
this is based on a wonderful and great Saviour who ‘remains faithful’.
V 14–18: GRASP SCRIPTURE Rather than following
fruitless and unprofitable works, Timothy is urged to work at rightly dividing
God’s truth so that he will not be ashamed. This will help him to remind
Christians of God’s truth and to reject false teaching, such as that of two
named men who claim that the final resurrection has already passed.
V 19: GOD’S SEAL God’s seal of truth on
a Christian is based on the fact that God knows those who belong to Him and
that personal conversion is made evident by turning from iniquity. Assurance of
salvation is based on God’s faithfulness and demonstrated by a changed life.
V 20–23: GOD’S SERVICE Christians are like
vessels in God’s house and must be clean in order to be used for God’s honour,
and be ready for Him to use. Righteousness, faith, love and peace must be
pursued along with other people in fellowship, but youthful lusts and divisive
discussion must be rejected and keenly avoided.
V 24–26: GENTLE SERVANT God’s servant must not
be quarrelsome, but gentle and patiently humble while teaching others, even if
they oppose him. In this way, they may come to know God’s truth, wake up to
reality, and be liberated from the devil through God’s salvation.
Asbury Bible Commentary
A. Be Strong in Christ
(2:1-7)
In
the grace that is in Christ Jesus clearly identifies whose grace it is as well
as indicating the position that every believer has in Christ, that of being in
grace. V. 2 commands Timothy to pass on Paul's teaching. These reliable/faithful
people are to be qualified and competent in teaching others. The result is an
ever-widening group of informed and informing believers.
Paul
now presents in rapid succession three illustrations—the soldier (vv. 3-4), the
athlete (v. 5), and the farmer (v. 6). For endure hardship with us, see 1:8.
Hardships/sufferings are part of being in Christ's army, and believers suffer
together. We serve Christ, the one who enlisted us (niv commanding officer).
Since Christ has enlisted (kjv “chosen”) us, we owe him our loyalty and are not
involved in civilian affairs. The illustration of the athlete focuses on
obeying the rules in order to win. The victor's crown is a wreath of laurel
leaves. The farmer imagery stresses hard work. The crops (Gk., “fruits”) go to
the laborer, not the lazy. V. 7 explains that these illustrations are designed
to give us better insight into the Lord's desire for us as servants. God's
workers must be committed, willing to suffer hardships, obedient, and
hardworking.
B.
Be Faithful to Christ (2:8-13)
These
illustrations are followed by a capsule definition of the Gospel, which
emphasizes Christ's resurrection and Davidic lineage (v. 8). The Resurrection
is a central doctrine of the faith (see 1Co 15) without which there is no hope
of eternal life, no power over sin, and, most distressingly, only a dead Jesus.
The Davidic lineage affirms Jesus as Messiah, the Christ, and thus the
fulfillment of the law and the prophets. My gospel means the message that Paul
supports and proclaims, not that it is his exclusive property or his created
Gospel. Paul's chains are strongly contrasted with God's lack of chains (v. 9).
Messengers may be imprisoned but God's Word transcends chains. This encourages
Paul's faithfulness (v. 10).
Faithfulness
is also the theme of the hymn (vv. 11-13). “A trustworthy saying” (Gk.,
“faithful word”) is frequently used in the Pastorals (1Ti 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2Ti
2:11; Tit 3:8) to designate something noteworthy. The hymn is composed of four
conditional causes concerning our actions toward Christ followed by
corresponding results. The first two results represent what we shall receive
while the last two results are what Christ will do. He will remain faithful
emphasizes Christ's covenantal faithfulness in meting out judgment and/or in
being true to his nature as Savior.
Dictionary of Bible
Themes
8236 doctrine, purpose
of
Sound
doctrine is intended to shape and mould the people of God for life and service
in the world.
The
purpose of doctrine for the individual
It
leads to repentance 2Ti 2:25
It
leads to salvation 1Ti 4:16 See also Jn 20:31; 1Co 1:21-24; 2Ti 3:14-15
It
is necessary for Christian maturity and effective service 2Ti 3:16-17 See also
Ps 19:7-8; Ac 2:42-43; Eph 4:11-14; Heb 5:13-14
It
makes possible a defence of the faith 1Pe 3:15-16 See also Col 2:2-4; Jude 3
It
leads to enrichment and blessing Dt 32:1-4 See also Ps 19:7-11; Ps 119:97-104;
Isa 55:10-13; Eze 3:1-3
It
leads to perfection Col 1:28
Doctrine
as the basis of faithful ministry in the church
Tit
1:9 See also 1Ti 4:6,13-16; 2Ti 1:13-14; 2Ti 2:2; Tit 2:1
Some Scriptures on
Doctrine
1.
It is necessary for
Christian maturity and effective service
2
Timothy 3:14-17 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
14
But as for you, continue in what you have
learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you
learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2.
It makes possible a
defence of the faith
Colossians
2:1-4 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
2
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea,
and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be
encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches
of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God,
namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
3.
Doctrine as the basis of
faithful ministry in the church
1
Timothy 4:6-16 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
6 If you point these
things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of
Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching
that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’
tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some
value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the
present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves
full acceptance. 10 That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our
hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of
those who believe.
11
Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because
you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in
love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I
come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to
teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy
when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these
matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do,
you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Encyclopedia of The
Bible
GOSPEL (MESSAGE)
I.
Vocabulary and background
In
the NT εὐαγγελίζεσθαι means “to
announce good news,” and εὐαγγέλιον, G2295, signifies “good
news,” “gospel,”
while εὐαγγελιστής, G2296, is a “preacher
of the gospel,” “evangelist.”
The substantive εὐαγγέλιον, G2295, appears most
frequently in the writings of Paul (some sixty times).
A. Missionary preaching. The apostles, too, announce the kingdom
of God (Acts 1:3; 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). For them also Jesus is the
kingdom personified, for the person and work of Christ are frequently the
objects of the verb εὐαγγελίζεσθαι (e.g. Acts 5:42; 8:35;
11:20; 17:18; Gal 1:16; Eph 3:8; 1 Pet 1:11f.). In contrast to the “glad
messages” of the imperial cult, there is now proclaimed the one Christian εὐαγγέλιον, G2295, of the kingdom
of God, a message of which some might be ashamed (cf. Matt 11:6; Rom 1:16; 1
Cor 1:17, 23), since it is essentially connected with the person and history of
Jesus. It is not naturally accepted (2 Cor 4:3), but needs to be accompanied by
the revelatory power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 1:17; cf. 2:4; 1 Pet 1:12).
In
his Gospel preaching to pagans (Acts 14:15-17; 17:22-31) Paul seeks to present
the Christian message in the way most appropriate to his hearers’ circumstances
and cultural background. The same is true of the missionary sermons made to
Jews and God-fearers in Acts, but it often has been noted that in these
addresses one finds the frequent occurrence of certain definite themes. The
question of a stereotyped kerygmatic pattern has been much discussed, but space
forbids a detailed treatment here. Reference may be made to the works listed in
the Bibliography. Among scholars who support some form of stereotyped kerygma
are: Grosheide, Dibelius, Dodd, Hatch, Hunter, Leijs, Glasson, Craig, Gärtner,
Bartels, Ward, Russell. These writers often differ widely from one another in
their analyses, but the work of C. H. Dodd has had great influence upon
English-speaking scholars. T. F. Glasson has modified Dodd’s analysis to list
the essential kerygmatic elements as: (1) the resurrection, (2) the fulfillment
of OT prophecy, (3) the death of Christ, (4) the offer of forgiveness, (5) the
apostles as witnesses. Among scholars who would reject, wholly or partially, a
rigid kerygmatic pattern are: Evans, Filson, Baird, Wood, Mounce, Sweet. F. V.
Filson analyzes the kerygma, but maintains, as do H. G. Wood and R. H. Mounce,
that kerygma and didaché frequently were intermingled in Christian preaching,
while C. F. Evans, followed by J. P. M. Sweet, prefers to think of many
differing kerygmata rather than of the kerygma. In the present article it is
assumed that by his presentation of frequently repeated themes in the Acts
sermons Luke wished his readers to understand that these were the
characteristic emphases of apostolic missionary preaching. It also is assumed
that the essential kerygma consists of the elements which are most commonly
preached, for it appears to be a sound method to follow Glasson’s principle of
including only the items that are most frequently mentioned, rather than to
form a synthesis by utilizing each different particular which may be
discovered.
B. Christian teaching
1.
The privilege of believers. Paul possessed an overwhelming sense of the
privileged position granted to him by the grace of God (Eph 3:8), and not to
him only, but to all believers, for the good news of Christ is that the
priceless blessing of salvation is a free gift (Rom 3:24; 6:23), given by the
grace of God (Eph 2:8; cf. Acts 20:24) to all who will accept it by faith (Rom
3:22, 25). This Gospel is God’s secret which He has made known to His people
(Eph 6:19; Col 1:26). It brings salvation (Eph 1:13; cf. 1 Cor 15:2), for it is
God’s own power for saving (Rom 1:16): it reveals the righteousness of God,
that gracious, delivering activity by which God rescues the sinner and
justifies the ungodly (1:17; 3:26; 4:5). A stress upon justification, God’s
gracious, free acquittal of guilty sinners who trust in Christ, is esp.
characteristic of Paul’s presentation of the Gospel message (e.g. 4:5ff.;
8:34). The Gospel tells of forgiveness and of reconciliation with God achieved
through the cross of Christ (Rom 5:10f.; 2 Cor 5:19), for Christ made
reconciliation and came proclaiming the good news of peace (Eph 2:16, 17; cf.
6:15). Just as the appearance of Christ on earth was “the beginning of the
gospel” (Mark 1:1; cf. Acts 1:1), so in the context of Ephesians 2:15-18 the
total work of Christ is summarized in the words “He preached peace” (cf. Isa
52:7; 57:19). That peace is available for the whole of humanity, for the good
news unites Jews and Gentiles and mediates salvation to both alike (Eph 3:6).
All believers have experienced spiritual rebirth from God (1 Pet 1:3; 1 John
3:9; cf. John 3:3), know the privilege of adoption as God’s own sons (Rom
8:15ff.; Gal 4:5f.; Eph 1:5), and are set in a new order of existence (2 Cor
5:17), for there is “a new creation”: the believer is “in Christ”; he is united
with Christ (Rom 6:1-11); he is in “the kingdom of God’s beloved Son” (Col
1:13). In this new life in God’s family the Gospel brings the news of the
strength which comes from God (Rom 16:25), for the gift of the Holy Spirit
enables believers to live in a way that pleases God (8:1-17, 26f.). The writer
to the Hebrews reminds one that Christians also have constantly the help and
care of Christ as the perfect High Priest, who fully understands and
sympathizes with the character and circumstances of His people (Heb 2:14-18;
4:14-16), and 1 Peter 2:21-25 is an assertion of the understanding which Christ
has for His afflicted followers (cf. 1 Pet 5:10). The Christian already is
triumphantly secure in the loving care of God, from which nothing can separate
him (Rom 8:28-39), and he is equally secure after death (2 Cor 5:1-8). Christ
is exalted in glory over the whole universe (Eph 1:20ff.; Phil 2:9; Col
1:15-17); believers share already in His exaltation (Eph 1:3; 2:6), and are yet
to share in His future majesty in the restored universe (Rom 8:17-19; 1 Cor
15:20; Col 1:5, 27; 2 Tim 2:12; Heb 2:10).
2.
The responsibility of believers. In apostolic teaching, as in that of Jesus,
ethical requirements are inherent in the Gospel message. The new and privileged
position which the believer has received by God’s grace is intended to lead
directly to righteous living (Eph 2:10). Note the clear ethical implications of
the words found in 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:22f.; 2:6f.; Titus 2:11-14.
The Gospel is “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1 Tim 1:11); it is
God’s address to man, and when God thus speaks, man must listen and yield
obedience (2 Cor 9:13; cf. Rom 1:5; 16:26). The believer must lead a life which
is equally “worthy of God” (1 Thess 2:12) and “worthy of the gospel of Christ”
(Phil 1:27). In his ethical teaching Paul often argues explicitly from the
well-known facts of the Gospel proclamation by which the churches were
established. For example, based on such essential facts about Christ are the
exhortations to mutual concern (Rom 15:1-3), to humility and brotherly love
(Phil 2:1-11), to forgiveness (Eph 4:32), to conjugal love (5:25ff.), to
holiness and purity (Rom 6:4; 1 Cor 6:15-20), and to confidence and hope (1 Cor
15:20; 1 Thess 4:13f.). Christians are “called to be saints” (Rom 1:7); they
are united with Christ (6:1-11); they must therefore lead a sanctified life.
Their union with Christ involves other responsibilities too. Christ has
suffered, and His followers must share that experience (8:17; 1 Pet 2:21).
Christ has brought the Gospel, and now Christian believers, who have responded
to that good news, must themselves bear it to others (Rom 10:15; cf. Isa 52:7;
Eph 6:15; 2 Tim 4:5). An identity of purpose has been apparent in the apostolic
teaching and that of Jesus. Sometimes actual words of Jesus are employed in
ethical instruction (e.g. Acts 20:35) and sometimes one finds striking
similarities to the Sermon on the Mount (e.g. James 1:2, 4, 5, 20, 22; 2:10,
13; 3:18; 4:4, 10ff.; 5:2ff., 10, 12). Finally, as in the teaching of Jesus,
there is an insistence upon future judgment: the message of judgment is
intrinsic to the Gospel (Rom 2:16), and believers are to live constantly in the
light of the judgment seat of Christ (Rom 14:10; 1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 Cor 5:9f.; 1
Pet 5:4; cf. 2 Pet 3:11f.).
IV.
Summary
The
message of Jesus is ultimately an invitation to men to commit themselves
wholeheartedly to Him, and to experience fully the relationship with the Father
which is insured by that discipleship. The message of the apostles is the same,
but has now been filled out, from a deepening Christian experience, with the
proclamation of all the saving activity of God revealed in the total ministry
of Christ, who is the climax of all God’s purposes (cf. 2 Cor 1:20).
Be
Blessed today
Yours
because of His Grace, Love and Mercy
For
the sake of His glorious Gospel, His
Church and His Kingdom
Blair
Humphreys
Southport,
Merseyside, England
