Part V

AS AN EVIL DOER

It was Paul's distinct "my gospel" (vs. 8) that got him into his Roman troubles. At the time of this writing, Paul was imprisoned under the great persecution of Nero. Only "approved" religions were accepted and allowed to legally practice under Roman authority. Christianity was at first allowed under the assumed auspices of Judism, but as the two were made distinct and separate by Paul, his message and ministry become illegal. Now, Paul, even with his privileged Roman citizenship, was in bonds, suffering, and awaiting death as "an evil doer" (vs. 9). Therefore, suffering and endurance are seen as the characteristics of those who follow Paul's "my gospel" – even to this day.

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF

Once again we are reminded of the personal and individual nature of this epistle. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God . . ." Timothy was to study for himself! He was to teach the faithful men to study for their selves! The result would be that he would not be "ashamed." This is the "how" to Paul's instruction to him in chapter one ("Be not thou therefore ashamed. . ." ". . . I am not ashamed. . ."). And the method of his Bible study would be "rightly dividing the word of truth." Once again the importance of Paul's distinct written revelation to the body of Christ is stressed.

THE SURE FOUNDATION

This is a wonderful section. In spite of the wholesale apostasy in Asia, Paul encourages Timothy:

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His" (2:19a).

Things were so bad in the religious system that had been developed in the abandonment of Paul's message, that all that was left of the "house of God" (from I Timothy 3:15) was the foundation. All else had been destroyed. The "evil day" that Paul had warned them to prepare for had come (Ephesians 6:13).

Paul had told the Corinthian saints, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 3:11). So, the foundation that remained in Asia, was Christ! He was all that was left! But that was encouragement, because ultimately He was ultimately all that Timothy needed. "And ye are complete in Him. . ." (Colossians 2:10a).

Paul is the one who laid the foundation of Christ. "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation. . ." But Paul gives the Corinthians a warning with this truth, ". . . and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon" (I Corinthians 3:10).

Paul had laid the foundation in Asia, which was Christ, and He remained. But that is all that remained. "The day" had arrived in Asia, and "every man's work" was "made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (I Corinthians 3:13). The building in Asia had been destroyed. But Christ, the foundation remained, and He still remains SURE and UNMOVABLE!

Things were so bad in the abandonment of Paul's message, that it was also hard to tell who was a saint and who was not. They had joined themselves to Roman's respected religious system. They were now a part of a mixed multitude. But, Paul reminds Timothy that the Lord knows all about it, and that He knows who be longs to Him.

In days of apostasy only the Lord can sort of the mess out. The system isn't His! But praise the Lord, we find rest in this wonderful truth, "the Lord knoweth them that are His."

DEPART FROM RELIGIOUS INIQUITY

But now comes a sobering instruction from Paul:

". . . And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2:19).

What is the iniquity that Paul is talking about? Is it just iniquity in general? Or, does the context lead us to a certain type of iniquity?

We will see that the next verse will provide for us the context from which to answer this important question. And Paul's answer is, that we who name the name of Christ should depart from RELIGIOUS iniquity!

It is hard to believe that Paul did not have the parallel passage of Numbers 16:5, 26, when he wrote of the believer's departing from iniquity! Take a little time to read it.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit Clyde's web site at http://www.pilkingtonandsons.com


Return to Index of Clyde Pilkington's Writings