Reminders: (2:8-10):
- Jesus Christ is both man and God: (2:8-9a): Paul abruptly introduced the important doctrine. There was false teaching in Ephesus that Jesus was only divine. Now-days we have the other extreme false doctrine that Jesus was only a man. Both are wrong and false. Jesus had the double root of David (his mother and father are both descendants of David), born in Bethlehem. He was the first to be resurrected (Lazarus was resuscitated because he again died) But Jesus was resurrected with glorified body which we are all going to possess. The purpose of this quick reference of Jesus Christ’s identity and resurrection is the central theme of the Gospel. Preaching the good news of crucified and resurrected Christ had landed Paul into Roman jail as a criminal prisoner. But he has no regrets for it because it was the good news for Paul and to the entire world which gives the eternal life and a goal in this world.
When Paul proclaimed that Jesus is God, he angered the Romans who worshipped the emperor as god, but some of the Caesar’s household turned to Jesus (Phil.4:22). When Paul said, Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks because Greeks believe that divinity cannot be soiled with humanity. Paul angered the Jews who condemned Jesus of blasphemy. But the truth is that Jesus is both divine and human, the two natures are united. This is the Gospel we must proclaim.
- God’s message is not chained: (2:9b-10): Thanks be to God, although Paul was chained like criminal, the Gospel is not chained. He is willing to suffer to any extent for this great and wonderful salvation. Though Paul was in prison, he asks Timothy to continue the proclamation of the Gospel which was entrusted to him. Paul’s apparent status as being a criminal should be no cause for alarm, discouragement or faint heartedness. If pastors, preachers on the pulpit do not use the Word of God as core subject, or if they just use it as a spice, then such people are in fact binding God’s message. One must remember that people have shed blood in order to pass on the Gospel to future generation.
One of the most spectacular sight in Israel is the ancient city Beth-Shein, the coliseum where Nero the emperor housed the wild animals which he used as a sports or entertainment as they attack Christians in the stadium. Walking through the stadium, one realises that extreme price paid by Christians in the late first century to pass on the Gospel to future generation. Paul’s wrist or hand was shackled with chain, but message was not chained. Yes no government no philosopher, no religious authority, no skeptics, no scientists, no book burners could ever been able to stop the work of the Word of God. The Bible has been attacked more than any other book through the centuries. It has been burned, banned, mocked, twisted and ignored, but the Word of God still stands forever. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God stands forever (Isa.40:8).
That’s why Paul endures everything for the sake people that they may obtain salvation. Salvation is costly, but it is freely given to us. It cannot be earned by our merit but by the grace of God alone. Paul’s life was not spent on just for rescuing the people, but he wanted people to grow spiritually that they become complete in their relationship with God.
Faithful saying: (2:11-13): This is a song perhaps Timothy knows it. there are 4-wonderful pair of paradoxes.
- We die for Christ, we will live with Christ: (2:11): Death leads to life! Dying for Christ speaks of 2-stages. 1) We died with Christ in the declaration of Baptism and 2) we die as a martyr, paying the ultimate price for following Jesus. Paul’s idea was the later one. Although we die as a martyr holding on the Lord in spite of sacrificing our life, we will live with Him. This is the physical death. For such martyrs and those who are over comers in this world, God gives special rewards to them.
- We endure hardship with Christ, we will reign with Christ: 2:12a): Suffering leads to reign and glory. Paul once again reiterates the assurance for the faithful believer that he has eternal reward. If we endure the troubles, persecution, trials, we have a great assurance that we will reign with Him. The result is far greater than what one might gain from quitting. Yes we will reign with Christ. We are heirs and co-heirs with Christ (Rom.8:16). God will reward us according to what we have done for Him in this world. Any persecution or trial in our life, we must count it as that God is training us to become the future co-heirs of Christ and reign along with Him.
Ex: During the ancient Roman Empire a Christian was commanded to give money to the building of a pagan temple, he refused; and though he was old, they stripped him practically naked, and cut him all over his body with knives and spears. They started to feel sorry for him, so they said, “Just give very little money to the building of the temple.” But he still would not. “Just burn one grain of incense to this pagan god,” they asked – but he would not. So he was smeared with honey, and while his wounds were still bleeding, they set bees and wasps upon him until he was stung to death. He could die; but he could not deny his Lord. The Lord can give you the same strength to live for Him, even as this man died for Him.