2 Timothy: Guard The GospelSample

These verses show us why gospel ministry is such hard work: because people reject truth. They won’t tolerate teaching that corrects their thinking or rebukes their behaviour. They want a gospel that won’t impact their beliefs and lifestyle. So they look for teachers who excuse their disobedient behaviour and justify their rejection of God’s Word. They turn to ‘myths’ (v. 4) – ideas or stories that allow them to act the way they want.

This isn’t a 21st-century problem. Paul says Timothy will face it as he leads the church in Ephesus; it’s what we will face too. A popular myth in our culture is that people can choose their identity – gender or sexuality. Another is the prosperity gospel – that trusting in God guarantees health and wealth in this life. We come across other myths about evolution, hell, purgatory and salvation by works. How should we respond? Paul gives four instructions in verse 5:

• ‘… keep your head’. While others are impressed and swept along with new and attractive teaching, we must be unmoved from the gospel. We must be clear about the truth and not led away from it. This means having complete confidence in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture (3:16–17).
• ‘… endure hardship’. People will not put up with sound doctrine, which means we will face difficulty as we continue to teach God’s Word faithfully. But we need to teach the truth without compromise and be prepared to endure the hardship that follows.
• ‘… do the work of an evangelist’. We don’t know if Timothy is specifically gifted as an evangelist (Eph. 4:11), but he must share the good news of Jesus Christ regardless, and so must we.
• ‘… discharge all the duties of your ministry’. Despite difficult circumstances and personal suffering, we must complete the work God calls us to. We must persevere in our ministries.

While people around us reject God’s Word and turn to teaching that makes them feel better about sin, we need to persevere in following Paul’s example of faithful gospel doctrine.

Reflection

Think about some of the ‘myths’ Christians are tempted to turn to. Are you remaining unmoved from the truths taught in the Bible? When are you tempted to turn away from the truth? Pray God will enable you to stand firm in the gospel, willing to share Jesus in your community and prepared to endure hardship for speaking the truth without compromise.