2 Tim 4:1-8 Charge on how to live in the last days

Outline (my edits to Constable's original outline)
1. Salutation 1:1–2
2. Faithful Service 1:3–18
1. Fan the flame 1:3–7
2. Don't be afraid 1:8–14
3. Examples of faithful and unfaithful service 1:15–18
3. Exhortations to discipleship 2:1–26
1.  Making disciples 2:1–13
1. Picture of Discipleship 2:1–2
2. Characteristics of Disciple-Makers
3. The examples of Jesus and Paul 2:8–10
4. Importance of Faithfulness 2:11–13
2. Serving as  Disciples 2:14–26
1. Handling the word 2:14–18
2. Being an example to others 2:19–21
3. Living as a disciple 2:22–26
4. Directions concerning the last days 3:1–4:8
1. Characteristics of the last days 3:1–7
2. Warnings about false teachers 3:8-9
3. Conduct of a disciple in the last days 3:10-17
1. Example of Timothy the disciple following Paul 3:10-13
2. Importance of the word of God for disciples 3:11-17
3. Paul's charge to Timothy 4:1-5
4. Paul's role in the last days 4:6-8
5. Concluding personal instructions and information 4:9–22
1. Fellow workers and an opponent 4:9–15
2. Paul’s preliminary hearing in court 4:16–18
3. Additional greetings and instructions 4:19–21
4. Benediction 4:22


2 Timothy 4:1–5 (ESV) —
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.


• Review this section so far:

Verse	Clause	Purpose
3:1	But understand this, that in the last days …	What is coming
3:10	You however have followed my teaching, …	His preparation
3:14	But as for you, continue in what you have learned … All scripture is breathed out by God …	His resources
4:1	I charge you in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ …	His duty or responsibilities

• Paul has warned Timothy, encouraged him, and reminded him, now he charges him
• Verse1: What is the preamble of the charge and its purpose?
• In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus
• Will judge the living and the dead (Includes Christians and maybe focuses on Christians)
• His appearing -- Grk word epiphaneia -- glorious manifestation of a god (used of the Roman Emperors when they would visit a location)
• His kingdom is the millennial kingdom (also relates to believers)
• Summary: The Lord is returning (soon); he will judge us for how we are living and have lived our Christian lives (note: eternal life is based on what Christ did on the cross); and then will set up the kingdom (our roles to be determined by how we have lived -- works)
• What are the parts of the charge?
• Admittedly, Timothy is a leader of the church, although I do not believe this is limited to pastors as we all lead in some way and in some settings (even passively -- if you don't want to do something in a group -- you are leading by your refusal to be a part -- that causes the perceived leader to possible change the action)
1. Preach the word -- Grk word kerusso means to herald it or proclaim it -- It is related to other words which simply mean "tell"
• I will agree that some people are heralds of the word
• But all people have a responsibility to know it and tell it to others
2. Be ready in season and out of season
• In my view, the only way to be ready is to be prepared.
• At work, I spend a lot of time reading articles on my subject area. I want to be ready. I want to understand the latest technology. I want to understand the problems. I want to be able to intelligently converse. I have to read
• We need to study. We need to read the word. We need to memorize the word. And we need to apply the word -- or quite frankly, you will not be ready
• Grk word for ready, ephistemi, means to stand by
3. Reprove
• We can hardly reprove someone if we are not regularly in the word ourselves
• The word means to tell someone there fault, but also add the end of the sentence "with complete patience and teaching"
• How do you do that? My approach, I'm not sure that is the best approach. The bible says ___ _____ ____ ____, and so I have been convicted that I should do this ____ ____ ____
4. Rebuke
• This is a little harsher and means to charge. This is when the actions are clearly against scripture and the person claims to be a believer in Jesus Christ. Examples:
• Living together outside of marriage
• Lying on your taxes
• Stealing from your work
• Hiding income because you don't want to pay taxes
• Again, we need to add complete patience and teaching. A rebuke should not be a shouting match
5. Exhort
• This is more the idea of urging someone to do something
• It is a good thing they ought to do


• Latter three -- all with complete patience and teaching
• Time is coming -- people will not endure sound teaching -- what does that mean?
• It means that people will create their own idols of who God is
• People will say that they don't believe God is like that, but there God is loving and would never send a good person to Hell (this is an idol)
• They will only listen to the people or preachers they want to hear (notice the issue is not the word of God, but what they want to hear)
• Turn from truth (no absolute truth -- truth is how you find it -- INCREDIBLY SAD) to find teaching that suits their own passions (this is especially true in many churches where the teaching on sexual desires and relationships have changed to fit the attendee)
• Wander (no direction - defn 1A (medical) to dislocate limbs) to follow myths (also translated an invention or falsehood) -- myths are how we develop idols
• As for you -- we could argue this is an extension of the charge or rather a different way of reacting to truth that you might not like. What is the teaching?
• Be sober-minded. The Grk word nepho can actually be translated calm or steady or circumspect -- don't over-react
• Endure suffering -- that is pretty obvious, but the opposite is a better way to describe it. What is the opposite?
• To complain
• To gripe
• To whine
• To make sure everyone knows how hard things are
• Do the work of an evangelist -- sharing the gospel
• Fulfill you ministry -- serve God, not yourself


  Job or Ministry? (Anonymous, Constable Notes)

Job	Ministry
A job is one you choose;	A ministry is one Christ chooses for you.
A job depends on your abilities;	A ministry depends on your availability to God.
In a job you expect to receive;	In a ministry you expect to give.
A job done well brings you self-esteem;	A ministry done well brings honor to Jesus Christ.
In a job you give something to get something;	In a ministry you return something that has already been given to you.
A job well done has temporal remuneration;	A ministry well done brings eternal rewards.



2 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV) —
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.


• What is Paul saying in verse 6?
• I am going to die soon
• The pouring out of the drink (wine) offering was usually the last act in the sacrificial ceremony (Hendrikson)
• Paul uses three more pictures to describe his life (two are athletic and one seems to be a steward)
• I have fought the good fight (soldier) -- he trained for the battle well; he was not defeated because of poor training (skills of fighting)
• I have finished the race (athlete) -- he also trained for endurance; he was not defeated by circumstances
• I have kept the faith (steward) -- he did not deny the gospel; he did not shrink back from telling people the truth
• What would be the result of Paul's life?
• Part of the believer's judgment, Paul would receive the crown of righteousness (a crown for people who loved his appearing -- they were more in love with the idea of being with God than with the world -- he spent his time living for God not for the things of the world)
• Five Crowns

Believer Crown	Reason	Reference
An Imperishable Crown	For leading a disciplined life	1 Cor 9:25
A Crown of Rejoicing	For evangelism and discipleship	1 Thess 2:19
A Crown of Righteousness	For loving the Lord's appearing	2 Tim 4:8
A Crown of Life	For enduring trials	James 1:12 Rev 2:10
A Crown of Glory	For shepherding God's flock faithfully	1 Pet 5:4



• Believer's judgment?
• Will we receive a crown or not?
• When the elders throw their crown at the Lord's feet, will we have anything to give?
• What does our salvation mean to us?

2 Tim 3:10-17, Living as Disciples in the Last Days

Outline (my edits to Constable's original outline)
1. Salutation 1:1–2
2. Faithful Service 1:3–18
1. Fan the flame 1:3–7
2. Don't be afraid 1:8–14
3. Examples of faithful and unfaithful service 1:15–18
3. Exhortations to discipleship 2:1–26
1.  Making disciples 2:1–13
1. Picture of Discipleship 2:1–2
2. Characteristics of Disciple-Makers
3. The examples of Jesus and Paul 2:8–10
4. Importance of Faithfulness 2:11–13
2. Serving as  Disciples 2:14–26
1. Handling the word 2:14–18
2. Being an example to others 2:19–21
3. Living as a disciple 2:22–26
4. Directions concerning the last days 3:1–4:8
1. Characteristics of the last days 3:1–7
2. Warnings about false teachers 3:8-9
3. Conduct of a disciple in the last days 3:10-17
1. Example of Timothy the disciple following Paul 3:10-13
2. Importance of the word of God for disciples 3:11-17
3. Paul's charge to Timothy 4:1-5
4. Paul's role in the last days 4:6-8
5. Concluding personal instructions and information 4:9–22
1. Fellow workers and an opponent 4:9–15
2. Paul’s preliminary hearing in court 4:16–18
3. Additional greetings and instructions 4:19–21
4. Benediction 4:22


2 Timothy 3:10–13 (ESV) —
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.


• This is the contrast to the false teachers (and is a good argument why the "health and wealth" gospel is wrong and of the devil
• First, Paul is positive toward Timothy, why?
• Because, as a disciple, he imitated his teacher
• In what ways, did Timothy as a disciple imitate Paul and what does it mean?
1. Followed teaching -- strong biblically based teaching
2. Followed conduct -- it is not just knowing, but it is doing. If the bible does not affect your life, you are not applying it
3. Followed aim of life -- what was Paul aim?
• Love for God
• Love for the world's lost
• Love for the church
• Love for discipleship
4. Followed faith -- Same belief and trust in God
5. Followed patience -- later in life Paul faced a lot of disappointments and shows considerable grace
6. Followed love -- Paul lived for others, not for himself -- he exemplified Jesus' admonition in this regard
7. Followed steadfastness -- this is probably what got him arrested. He did not denounce Jesus or what he believed
8. Followed persecutions -- it is hard to see this, except at these cities, Timothy was there as well and had to deal with as well
• Verse 12 is a verse that few Christians every quote
• … all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, …
• Here is a very small subset of cross-references. There were quite a few of them
• Matthew 5:10–12 (ESV) — 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• John 15:19–21 (ESV) — 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
• John 16:33 (ESV) — 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
• 1 Peter 4:12–16 (ESV) — 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
• 1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) — 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
• Revelation 1:9 (ESV) — 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
• Suffering is a natural part of the Christian life


2 Timothy 3:14–17 (ESV) —
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.


• The junction "but" tells us that this is the key verse for the entire chapter. What is Paul's main point?
• You need the word
• The word will equip you for every good work
• Look up Greek word for "God-breathed"
• The word does 4 things, what are they?
• Teaches -- it explains to us how to live life, what the path looks like
• Reproves -- tells us when we are wrong, off-track
• Correction -- it tells us how to recover and get back on track
• Trains us -- it shows us how through training to stay on the track. This comes through specific application of the word of God


APPLICATION: I have said this over and over again, but you will struggle until you develop a habit of daily time with God. I urge you to memorize scripture. You need to change the way you think. We easily remember sayings the world makes. Let's change our focus from the world's cute proverbs and replace them with powerful proverbs from God's word

2 Tim 3:1-9, Living as Disciples in the Last Days

Outline (my edits to Constable's original outline)
1. Salutation 1:1–2
2. Faithful Service 1:3–18
1. Fan the flame 1:3–7
2. Don't be afraid 1:8–14
3. Examples of faithful and unfaithful service 1:15–18
3. Exhortations to discipleship 2:1–26
1.  Making disciples 2:1–13
1. Picture of Discipleship 2:1–2
2. Characteristics of Disciple-Makers
3. The examples of Jesus and Paul 2:8–10
4. Importance of Faithfulness 2:11–13
2. Serving as  Disciples 2:14–26
1. Handling the word 2:14–18
2. Being an example to others 2:19–21
3. Living as a disciple 2:22–26
4. Directions concerning the last days 3:1–4:8
1. Characteristics of the last days 3:1–7
2. Warnings about false teachers 3:8-9
3. Conduct of a disciple in the last days 3:10-17
1. Example of Timothy the disciple following Paul 3:10-13
2. Importance of the word of God for disciples 3:11-17
<STOP HERE>
4. …. To be completed …. 4:1-8
5. Concluding personal instructions and information 4:9–22




2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV) —
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.


• This is an interesting section because it is part of Paul's last words, why?
• Paul really felt it was near and wanted Timothy to be ready
• I don't think things had quite reached this level or otherwise Paul would not have needed to describe it to Timothy
• APPLICATION: Of course, the Holy Spirit was really leaving it for us so that we could be watchful and not discouraged when we saw it happening
• The last days typically refer to the days preceding the rapture. Technically, we have been in the last days since Jesus' resurrection. Paul lists 19 specific characteristics of this time
• Below is a list from Constable (2003):
• 3:2 People would be:
• (1) self-centered and narcissistic (Gr. philautoi),
• (2) lovers of money (philargyroi, cf. 1 Tim. 3:3, 8),
• (3) boastful of their own importance (alazones), and [seen in the culture of the so-called elites of today who believe they know what is best for us-twm]
• (4) proud, arrogant in attitude (hyperephanoi).
• They would be (5) abusive toward others (blasphemoi), [civil discourse is completely gone in any of our political debates-twm]
• (6) unresponsive to parental discipline, [rebellion against authority always implies rebellion against God-twm]
• (7) ungrateful, unthankful, unappreciative (acharistoi), and [characteristics of selfishness-twm]
• (8) impure, unholy (anosioi). [this sounds like a rejection of God-twm]
• 3:3 Furthermore, they would be:
• (9) heartless, callous, hateful (astorgoi),
• (10) unforgiving (aspondoi) and consequently irreconcilable, and
• (11) slanderous of others (diaboloi), speaking with malicious gossip.
• They would be (12) lacking in self-control (akrateis),
• (13) brutal, brutish, uncivilized (anemeroi), and
• (14) antagonistic toward whatever is good (aphilagathoi). [there really is a hatred of good; and especially God-given commands (marriage, two sexes, sexuality, etc)-twm]
• 3:4 They would also be:
• (15) disposed toward betrayal, treacherous (prodotai), and [there is no longer any doubt in my mind that elections are full of fraud-twm]
• (16) headstrong, reckless (propeteis).
• They would be (17) conceited (tetyphomenoi), puffed up with pride, wrapped in a mist of self-delusion, and
• (18) devoted to personal pleasure (philedonoi) rather than to God (philotheoi). [they elevate themselves above God, their desires and pleasures-twm]
• 3:5 Finally
• they would (19) make a pretense of being religious but deny the source of true spiritual power (i.e., God’s Word)
• APPLICATION:
• Once again, the key to avoiding this slide is an absolute passion and regular intake of the word of God


2 Timothy 3:6–9 (ESV) —
6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.


• First of all, Paul is not talking about all women. He uses a diminutive form, weak or small, women to make it clear that these were different than women in general. What characterized these women?
• Women who were spiritually weak, had little education, had more time on their hands, and appreciated any attention
• Struggled with various passions and sins (could be the men or the women)
• The teachers (?)
• They were always learning but yet never seem to comprehend the truth of God
• False teachers were able to captivate such women with their teaching
• Affects the spiritual family as a whole
• Paul reaches back to the Exodus to describe the type of men
• Jannes and Jambres are not mentioned by name in the OT
• The names are familiar names in Jewish tradition as sorcerers who opposed Moses (Exo 7:11; 9:11)
• In a certain sense, the sorcerers were partly successful in duplicating Moses' miracles, but after a while, they could not replicate the miracles
• Ultimately the couldn't even stand before Moses because of the boils on their feet
• So, what conclusions can we draw from these men?
• They actually oppose biblical truth (God's word)
• They are not believers but are accepted in the church (the large tree that the birds rest in)
• See Matt 13 (the sower, the mustard seed, and the leaven)
• Birds took away the word of God
• The Birds build nests in the church
• The leaven spreads all through the flour (beware the leaven (teaching) of the pharisees)
• They are corrupt in mind
• They are disqualified regarding the faith (not believers)
• At some point, they will be exposed


APPLICATION:
• The word of God protects us from false teaching and transforms our mind so that the world cannot mold us

2 Tim 2:14-26, Serving as Disciples

Review:


Outline (my edits to Constable)
1. Salutation 1:1–2
2. Faithful Service 1:3–18
         A. Fan the flame 1:3–7
         B. Don't be afraid 1:8–14
         C. Examples of faithful and unfaithful service 1:15–18
3. Exhortations to discipleship 2:1–26
1.  Making disciples 2:1–13
1. Picture of Discipleship 2:1–2
2. Characteristics of Disciple-Makers
3. The examples of Jesus and Paul 2:8–10
4. Importance of Faithfulness 2:11–13
2. Serving as  Disciples 2:14–26
1. Handling the word 2:14–18
2. Being an example to others 2:19–21
3. Living as a disciple 2:22–26
4. Directions concerning the last days 3:1–4:8
5. Concluding personal instructions and information 4:9–22




2 Timothy 2:14–19 (ESV) —
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”


• Who is "them" in verse 14?
• The church or his disciples he had trained
• We also see potentially the teachers, since he charges them not to argue about things that are unimportant and only ruins the hearers
• How do you "ruin" a hearer as a teacher?
• First, it is good to question scripture to understand, but, just questioning scripture without any answers only chips away at the faith of the hearer
• We should not be afraid to question scripture since it is inspired by God, therefore it has logical answers. BUT, sometimes the answers are too difficult for us to understand, like free-will and predestination
• Instead of being a poor teacher characterized by arguments about words and doubts, Paul challenges Timothy and his disciples to be what?
1. Men approved by God -- would God be pleased by my life and example to others?
2. Men not ashamed -- this goes back to the popular chorus, do I deny my savior to others? Do I acquiesce to the culture? Do I change my theology to fit the worldview (ie., marriage, and homosexuality among believers)?
3. Men who rightly handle the word of Truth -- does my teaching offer answers and encourage applications and follow the bible (since it is truth)?
• Apparently the issue with irreverent babble continues, and spreads. What is irreverent babble?
• Word irreverent means profane, ungodly and the word babble means empty discussion of useless matters
• Teaching that does not result in change
• Teaching that only tickles the ears
• Teaching that discourages faith and just makes people question scripture
• Who are Hymenaeus and Philetus? What is their teaching?
• Hymenaeus was mentioned in 1 Timothy and is apparently still in leadership
• The teaching is that the resurrection has already occurred. Quite likely they saw it as spiritual and not bodily. This might suggest no need to prepare ourselves for Christ's return (a very bad choice)
• There is a bodily resurrection. And how we live today will affect our reward during the believer's judgement (grumbling, complaining, gossiping, lying, stealing, lusting, etc)
• A seal represents ownership. What is the believer's seal? The Holy Spirit
• We do have a guarantee of salvation but not of reward
• Why is that important? The crown represents an opportunity to show God your thankfulness for salvation. Rewards are opportunities to serve in the new millennium
• It does not affect our salvation, but our works as a believer our essential in some unknown way (the next section seems to continue this theme or idea)
• APPLICATION:
• What do we believe and where do we get our beliefs?
• If it is from the morals and cute sayings of the world, it is irreverent babble
• Our beliefs need to come from the bible, which means we need to be regularly meeting with God in his word


2 Timothy 2:20–21 (ESV) —
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.


• What is the great house? It is the church. God is the owner
• What is there in the great house?
• Different vessels (cups to use)
• Some for honorable use (they bring honor to the owner)
• Some are for dishonorable use (they do not bring honor to the owner)
• Some have suggested three groups (faithful believer, unfaithful believer, and an unbeliever). Each of those groups exist in the church
• In this case, the honorable and the dishonorable cup both appear to be believers, why?
• Because you can cleanse yourself from the dishonorable and be useful to the master
• What is dishonorable?
• False teaching
• False living (again, all the characteristics I listed earlier)
• APPLICATION: We need to stop playing church or playing Christianity. We can't mix the worlds' ideas and God's ideas. There is only one God, and it is not the god in your mind, it is the God of the bible
• Our mind does not tell us who God is
• The bible tells our mind who God is
• There is a lot of false teaching on this point. People have created in their mind a god who is their image of what God should be, but it is really an idol because it is not based on the bible


2 Timothy 2:22–26 (ESV) —
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.


• This section tells us what it means to be a vessel for noble use. Let's go through the list. Let's list each one and make sure we understand what it means.
• Flee youthful passions -- focus on the flesh and a lack of responsibility for your actions
• Replace with righteousness -- doing the right thing (taking responsibility for your actions)
• Replace with faith -- trusting God for the things you desire; praying
• Replace with love -- put other first, not yourself -- that is the essence of love
• Replace with peace -- don't argue, most things are not worth it
• Replace with prayer -- calling on the Lord from a pure heart -- seek what God wants not what you want. Learn to pray for God's will in the situation
• Stay away from
• Foolish controversies -- Grk word, moros, translated foolish, stupid, and fool
• Ignorant controversies -- Grk word, apaideutos, meaning uneducated, without instruction, rude
• Result of these things is only quarrels
• Look up James 4:1-4-- why do people get into arguments?
James 4:1–4 (ESV) —
1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
• Because they are not getting something they want
• APPLICATION: Ask yourself when you are getting angry -- What is it that I want that I am not getting that is causing me anger?
• Put away quarrelling (fighting to get your own way) and replace quarreling with:
• Replace with kindness to everyone -- even those you might disagree with
• Replace with ability to teach -- some aspects of teaching require an ability -- learn to listen and understand; learn to ask good questions
• Replace with patience even around evil -- The phrase is one Grk word, anexikakos, translated in the NLT as patient with difficult people
• Replace with correcting opponents with gentleness -- rather than arguing at full blast (yelling), tone it down -- we are confident in the truth, there is no need to blow our tops
• IF we put off quarreling and fighting, and replace it with a different way of presenting truth, …
• They MIGHT listen
• They MIGHT repent
• They MIGHT learn truth
• They MIGHT come to their senses
• They MIGHT escape the snare of the devil (and since we are probably talking about believers in the church, a believer can't be indwelt by Satan, but can be capture by him to do his will -- especially if they are not regularly in the word of God)
• KEY: We MIGHT have this impact, but we WON'T if we quarrel like the world -- we have to be different to be a light
• APPLICATION: Change the way you respond to disagreements