Models for the Faithful Christian
Devotions for Growing Christians
Models for the Faithful Christian
2 Timothy 2:3-6 - “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.”
Background
2 Timothy was written around 66AD, when the Roman persecutions of the early Christians had begun. The wicked emperor, Nero, had blamed Christians for the great fire of Rome in 64AD. He used this as an excuse to torture them and use them for “sport” in the Roman arena. Meanwhile, Paul was imprisoned and awaiting execution (2 Tim. 4:6-7). From a dungeon in Rome, he penned his final letter to Timothy, his faithful and "beloved son" in the faith (2 Timothy 1:2; Philippians 2:19-22).
Timothy had been brought to the Lord through Paul’s ministry about 20 years earlier, when Timothy was most likely a teenager. Since that time, a beautiful spiritual father/son relationship had developed between them. Paul had taught young Timothy the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Timothy had accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys, and remained faithful when they faced hardship and persecution. He didn't give up when Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea (AD 58-60; Acts 23-26). He didn't deny knowing Paul when the apostle was sent as a prisoner to Rome. Timothy stayed close to his spiritual father while Paul remained under house arrest in Rome (61-63AD; Acts 27-28).
Paul was almost certainly released from his first Roman imprisonment, and continued his missionary travels for a few more years (AD 63-65). Timothy went along as one of Paul's faithful coworkers. Some time before the Roman authorities arrested Paul again, the apostle delegated Timothy to remain at Ephesus to help pastor the believers there. Timothy’s departure for Ephesus may have been the occasion for the tearful parting mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:4.
Paul moved on in his travels, and as a faithful father, he wrote to Timothy with instructions and encouragement (1 Timothy). The apostle continued to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ wherever he went throughout the pagan Roman Empire.
Of course it wasn't long before Paul was arrested again and sent back to Rome. This time he was chained as a criminal and placed in the dungeon to await his trial (2 Tim. 1:16 and 2:9). There in that cold and lonely cell Paul longed to see Timothy again before he died (2 Tim. 1:4 and 4:9). We don’t know if Timothy made it to Rome before Paul was martyred. Reliable tradition indicates that Paul was beheaded for his faith soon after 2 Timothy was written.
During those last days in prison, Paul reflected on the rough road ahead for the young Christian Churches. Not only would there be more persecution, but there would also be spiritual decline (2 Tim. 3). Many had already turned away from the full message that Paul preached (2 Tim. 1:15). With prophetic insight, Paul wrote to encourage Timothy to remain steadfast in the faith. In spite of impending persecution and heresy, he was to preach the word and fulfill his ministry (2 Tim. 4:1-5). Paul wanted the pure and complete gospel of Jesus Christ to be carried on by faithful Christians like Timothy - without changes and without "watering down" the message (2 Tim. 1:13-14 and 2:1-2).
There’s a valuable and practical lesson in the father/son relationship between Paul and Timothy. Growing Christians need "Pauls" and "Timothys.” Paul/Timothy relationships are helpful and biblical. Is there a "Paul" in your life? If not, find an older and more mature Christian who would be willing to counsel you, teach you, write to you, and pray consistently for you (2 Tim. 1:3). Is there a "Timothy" in your life - a younger Christian whom you are bringing along in the faith? If so, God has given you the unique privilege (and awesome responsibility) of being the spiritual “parent” to a younger Christian in your neighborhood or school or church!
In order to emphasize the point of Timothy's responsibility, Paul gave several models to follow in 2 Timothy 2:3-6: the soldier, the athlete and the farmer. Each of these models shows us a particular aspect of life for the faithful Christian to follow.
The Soldier
In the model of the soldier, the key is sacrifice (v3-4). The soldier pictured here is not the peacetime soldier, but rather the Roman soldier who sacrificed all to please the Emperor. The good soldier gave up an easy, secure, and independent life for a life of discipline and danger. Paul certainly measured up to this model throughout his life of sacrificial service for the Lord Jesus. Now Timothy was encouraged to do the same.
God expects to see sacrifice in the life of every growing Christian. This spiritual model is not just a life to admire, but an example to follow! A good soldier doesn’t do his own thing, but sacrifices and submits in obedience to his Commanding Officer.
The Athlete
The key in the model of the athlete is discipline (v5). The particular athlete in view here is the Greek marathon runner. Hours of training and a disciplined lifestyle were demanded if the athlete was to be a winner in the Greek games (forerunner of today's Olympic Games). Serious athletes today know what disciplined training is all about.
The application to the growing Christian is obvious. We must be disciplined in our training in the Christian life. This may include getting out of bed early to read God's Word and pray. It may include time spent memorizing Scripture and sharing our faith with unbelievers. Many of us are "out of shape" because of no discipline in our training.
The athlete must compete according to the rules of the race. Imagine a Greek runner on his way into the stadium to complete the last lap of the marathon. When he realizes he can't overtake the leader, he cuts across the field to the finish line. Does he win the prize? No way! The wreath goes to the disciplined runner who runs by the rules.
Of course this is true in the Christian life as well. What good is my Christian testimony on campus if I cheat on exams? What kind of Christian am I if I "forget" to pay back a loan? What good is memorizing verses if I don’t live out what I learn? God expects us to be like the athlete who wins the prize – one who is disciplined in training and also runs by the rules.
The Farmer
The key idea in the model of the farmer is hard work (v6). The labor of the farmer is especially significant because it has to be done with patience. Preparing the ground, planting the seed, cultivating, and watering the tender plants takes a lot of time and a lot of waiting. There are no "instant results" in farming! And the one aim of all this patient labor is the harvest.
What a lesson for Christians! The Lord expects us to work hard in our service for Him, even though we may not see overnight success. The Christian’s labor in God's fields is sometimes very discouraging. Extreme patience is often needed to sow the good seed of the Word of God, and to cultivate babies in Christ. But the harvest makes it all worthwhile – the joy of seeing the Word take root in the heart and life of a person, resulting in a strong fruit-producing Christian. That’s what it means for Christians to "enjoy the fruit of their labor." And the reward doesn’t end on this earth!
Paul provided other models for Timothy in chapter 2. (Can you find all of them?) They’re included in God's Word as patterns for all faithful Christians to follow. Although it’s easier to be peace-time soldiers, weekend athletes and backyard farmers, God is looking for soldiers who sacrifice, athletes who are disciplined, and farmers who labor.
- Dave Reid
(Updated 2021, Ron Reid)