The Things You've Heard
2 Timothy
8 September 2024
What Matters Most
2 Timothy 4:9-22
by Joseph Tern
In the final words of his letter to his protege Timothy, the apostle Paul mentions various names of people that he had the opportunity to serve with in ministry. Through this, we find principles and lessons for Timothy, as well as God's people, with respect to dealing with different kinds of people in ministry. Invariably, there will be people who oppose the work of Gospel ministry, but there are others who will demonstrate themselves to be faithful, whether in front-facing or back-end ministries. Yet, at the end of the day, we are called to look to Jesus Christ, the true and faithful one who will preserve us to the very end. He is our only source of hope in this life.
1 September 2024
A Life that Endures
2 Timothy 4:1-8
by Edward Sim
This passage captures the essence of Paul's letter to Timothy, which is to endure with faithfulness. This is accomplished through sitting under the preaching of sound words and demonstrated through suffering in life. At the same time, we can live with hope because of what Christ has accomplished for us in the Gospel. What awaits us is the crown of righteousness that was obtained for us by our Saviour.
25 August 2024
Learn the Knowledge of Truth
2 Timothy 3:10-17
by Gideon Teo
The apostle Paul encourages Timothy to learn from those who live out the Word of God. These are precious friends who would help to shape the inner functions of our hearts through their godly examples. In addition, we are to learn from those who breathe the Word of God. As they had received the Word of God themselves, they are more than able to encourage us in our spiritual walk.
18 August 2024
Overcoming the Difficulties Within
2 Timothy 3:1-9
by Aaron Akins
There's a real danger of hypocrisy in the life of the church, which is often hidden from sight. In order to combat this, we need Gospel clarity that exposes religious hypocrisy. This is achieved in the context of the church community, where the idea of believers doing life together takes place.
11 August 2024
The People of Transformation
2 Timothy 2:14-26
by Tim Mountfort
The apostle Paul encourages Timothy to remind the church about the Gospel of Jesus Christ concerning His life, death, and resurrection. This is crucial when purity and unity are threatened and disrupted from within the church. The solution is to cultivate true humility that has been humbled by the Gospel of grace.
4 August 2024
Remember to Remember
2 Timothy 2:8-13
by Joel Sim
In this passage, the apostle Paul provides a theological basis for the work of perseverance. We're called to remember Jesus Christ, the fulfilment of God's covenant promises who was risen from the dead. As we go through suffering in life, the experience presents an opportunity for us to encourage one another through witnessing to the Gospel of Christ. Though we are often faithless, Christ remains faithful as He cannot deny Himself as the faithful God. This gives us confidence as we go through life on this side of the cross.
28 July 2024
Preserved in Perseverance
2 Timothy 2:1-7
by Joel Sim
The apostle Paul reminds Timothy, and by implication all believers, that the Christian life and ministry are only possible by the grace of God. His gracious preservation enables us to persevere through the means of pondering over His Word. This is how we arrive at the finish line, one limping step at a time.
21 July 2024
An Appeal for Solidarity in Suffering
2 Timothy 1:8-18
by Chua Si Yang
In the second half of 2 Tim 1, Paul continues with a sobering charge for Timothy. Timothy should not be ashamed of our suffering saviour and His suffering servant and not be tempted to desert them especially when persecution gets hard. Timothy is also to share in the suffering for the gospel despite knowing that it can be ugly, heart-wrenching, and even lonely at times. This is what it means to guard the good deposit of the gospel but Timothy is not alone. God will empower him in his suffering and the Holy Spirit will help him guard the gospel until the end. Even if everyone turns away, God will send individuals like Onesiphorus who will refresh him and keep him going.
14 July 2024
Grace-Driven Faith
2 Timothy 1:1-7
by Joel Sim
2 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to his beloved protégé, Timothy, as an encouragement to be faithful in ministry. In the opening to this letter, Paul connects his apostleship with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which grounds everything that he does. He is thankful for the unhypocritical faith of Timothy, which was passed down to him by his grandmother and mother. In the face of opposition, Timothy is urged to depend on the work of the Spirit so that he may be empowered to be faithful in what he is called to do.