Bible Studies

Paul tells Timothy to be a Good Soldier of Christ Jesus Part 6

2 Timothy 2:8-9 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. KJV

The Apostle Paul with this next verse wants Timothy's focus to not be on him being unjustly persecuted by the Jewish leaders and by the leaders of the Roman empire, but instead Paul wants Brother Timothy to see Him, that is, our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and the permanency of His Resurrection from the dead in order that he and every one of us who are true believers receiving forgiveness of all our sins (past, present, and future) and being born again spiritually, that is, obtaining our own resurrection from the spiritual death we were born into. This second birth or spiritual resurrection keeps us from the second death or eternal death, that is, eternal seperation from God as it is written by the Apostle John with these words, "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4-6) (Modern King James Version). It was said by someone many years before I became a human being on the earth these words, "He or she who is born twice will only die once."

So then Paul tells Timothy to keep always these words first and foremost, "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel:" (2 Timothy 2:8) (KJV). The more accurate reading of what Paul is conveying to Brother Timothy here would be, "Remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead", that is, keep your focus and attention upon Him and the reality of the permenance of His Resurrection from death and what that means for all the human sinners on the earth who will trust Him. The fact that He is raised from death and alive forever is the key for the salvation of any sinner and marks the reality of every sinners reception of eternal life from Him as it is written also with these words by the Apostle John, "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead person. But He put His right hand on me and said: Don't be afraid! I am the first, the last, and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead." (Revelation 1:17-18) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about Christ Resurrection, "This is the great proof of His divine mission, and therefore a great confirmation of the truth of the Christian religion; and the consideration of it should make us faithful to our Christian profession, and should particularly encourage us in suffering for it. Let suffering saints remember this. Observe, We are to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews 12:2. The incarnation and resurrection of Jesus Christ, heartily believed and rightly considered, will support a Christian under all sufferings in the present life."

Paul speaks to Timothy and to us of what he was enduring because of his proclamation of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with these words, "Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound." (2 Timothy 2:9) (KJV). The English word 'wherein' Paul uses to begin this verse is translated by the Greek word en which is a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state) meaning (as used here) because of. The little English phrase 'I suffer trouble' is translated by the Greek word kakopatheō meaning to undergo hardship: - be afflicted, endure afflictions (hardness), suffer trouble. The English phrase 'an evil doer' is translated by the Greek word kakourgos meaning a wrong doer, that is, criminal: - malefactor. The English word 'bonds' is translated by the Greek word desmos meaning (as used here) shackle (of a prisoner). In other words, Paul was put in prison for preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ declaring Him raised from the dead and alive forevermore and this caused him to be looked upon by the Jewish leaders and by the Roman rulers as an evil doer. The Jews were spiritually blind to the fact that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who lived among them, that is, the very Jehovah God they claimed to worship.

The Roman rulers were put off by the fact that Paul's preaching caused trouble in the Jewish communities and the fact that his preaching condemned their pagan beliefs and worship. The Apostle Peter wrote of this type of suffering for Christ with these words, "If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you. Truly according to them, He is blasphemed, but according to you He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or a meddler in the affairs of others. But if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of this." (1 Peter 4:14-16) (Modern King James Version). Despite these things done unjustly to the Apostle Paul, the Gospel of Grace could not and was not restricted or removed or restrained, but instead God the Holy Spirit used the Gospel message and regenerated men of even the Roman guard. The proclamation of the Gospel and of the Word of God could not be stopped then and will not be stopped now, for it is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself who is building His Church as He said with these words, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) (Modern King James Version).  

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…