2 Timothy 2:22-26 Perilous times and perilous men

1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 

How relevant this passage is in the times that we are living in. We will be judged on how we treat the powerless and marginalized. Satan is behind the chaos of power and control sought by man.

2 Timothy 2:22-26 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 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.

 Perilous Times and Perilous Men

1 Timothy 1:4–5  nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 

Pray for America and the leaders of this world. God alone is in control. We will learn His lessons of peace…one way or another. Carla

This list of virtues defines true godliness. An Old Testament  expression, call upon the Lord, here is applied to Christians (Genesis 26:25; 1 Samuel 12:17; Psalm 86:5; Acts 9:14; Romans 10:12–14). 

Talking about foolish controversies leads to more conflict, not resolution.  Timothy must be able to communicate truth and, in doing so, protect the community of believers from false doctrine (1 Timothy 3:2). 

The Greek word used here for tolerant, anexikakos, describes tolerating difficulties without resentment. Such a leader must extend patience and kindness to those who oppose him or her. When faced with opposition, the servant of the Lord must display the character of the Lord. 

The Greek word used here, metanoia, refers to a change in attitude toward sin that results in a change in lifestyle. 

Trap of the devil refers to Satan, the enemy of God and His people. The idea of being captured by the devil to do his will most likely refers to accepting and living according to the doctrine of the false teachers (1 Timothy 3:6; 4:1). Faithlife Study Bible

In these verses Paul describes in practical terms how Timothy can be a useful vessel for God’s work. Quarrel translates a military term for hand-to-hand combat. The Lord’s servant must not battle with words, but instead must be gentle and kind to all.

Correcting means “training” or “bringing to maturity.” Those who are in opposition are those who place themselves in conflict with the preaching of God’s truth, such as Hymenaeus and Philetus (verse 17). 

The aim of correction is repentance, or a “change of thinking.” Paul exhorts Timothy to persevere in correcting his opponents because it is imperative that they should know the truth, even though they might oppose the truth at present with their false teachings about the resurrection (verse 18). It was Paul’s hope that they would finally come to their senses, or become sober again. 

False teaching has an intoxicating effect that dulls the mind to God’s truth. Timothy’s persistence in correcting them might enable them to escape the snare of the devil. The devil takes captive believers who teach false doctrine, leading others astray. One of Satan’s tactics is to cause divisions in the church.   The NKJV Study Bible

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

1 Timothy 3:2–3 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

This week I want to hear the voice of Mr. Rogers, reminding us, “There’s something deep inside, that helps us become what we can.” And this journey of discovery—of unveiling—is truly an ongoing pilgrimage. A journey where we uncover, and restore, and forgive, and heal.

On this journey, I want to take this to heart--God's pledge to the Israelites. “I will give you a new heart and a new spirit. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

A new heart. As a gift. Noting, this is not a replacement—as in a different heart. But my heart, now softer, and more receptive, and willing to grow.

And every gift, must be received. Well, sometimes gifts are not easy to receive, and I confess that my tendency is to say, “This is too good to be true, or something I don’t merit.” No wonder it is too often easier to say, “That’s okay, give this heart of flesh to someone who really needs it.”Today, I do need it. And I welcome the gift: A new heart and spirit. Letting go of what is hard or stubborn or resistant. A gift signifying a profound internal transformation, a renewal embracing tenderness and grace. “Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey

King Solomon's gift of wisdom was intended to be a great treasure, but eventually it became a great tragedy (1 Kings 11:6). Without focusing on the Giver of wisdom, the gift alone was not enough. We can imagine his frustration as we read Ecclesiastes 1:18: "In much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Sadly, we only add to our sorrow if we seek answers to our questions but fail to seek God Himself.

But we can avoid this frustration when we realize no human understanding can compare with the source of true wisdom: Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:27-31). More than just pointing us to God's priorities, Scripture ultimately points us to God's Son.

Even if we "busy" ourselves with "all that is done under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 1:13), we will always find something crooked or lacking if we don't have faith in Jesus. But when we do have faith, He teaches us to consider more than just what we can do on our own; He teaches us to pray for God's will to be done "on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10). His is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:11-12).

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