2 Timothy 2:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

NIV: Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

NASB: Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

CSB: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

NLT: Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

KJV: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

NKJV: You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Paul then transitions from his own ministry to Timothy to the first of many word pictures related to the Christian life. First, Paul notes, "Share in suffering." Paul was suffering in prison at the time he wrote. He expected Timothy to also be willing to suffer for the faith. He had already mentioned suffering twice (2 Timothy 1:8, 12) and will mention it three more times in this brief letter (2 Timothy 2:9; 3:11; 4:5). Suffering—enduring hardship for the sake of Christ—was the expectation of the person who sought to live fully for God.

Timothy was to suffer "as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Paul did not have violence in mind, but rather the attitude of a well-trained soldier. Military personnel focus on their mission, not unrelated concerns. They leave the greater planning, as well as the details of food and housing, to their commander. The next verse further develops this concept. Ephesus was a Roman military city during this time. The image of a soldier would have been very familiar to Timothy as well as to other believers in Ephesus. Of course, Paul was likely in contact with Roman soldiers on a daily basis during this second Roman imprisonment, which may have kept this imagery at the forefront of his mind when writing his last letter to Timothy.

Second Timothy 2:1–13 presents a series of examples Paul wants Timothy to consider. Among these are soldiers, athletes, farmers, Jesus Christ, and Paul himself. Rather than give extensive details, Paul encourages Timothy to consider how each of these applies to his own life. The context for all of this is ''suffering,'' meaning the hardships endured for the sake of Christ. Those who endure do so by the power of God, not their own efforts.

Paul gives Timothy a clear mandate to defend the truth. This includes both upholding the gospel accurately, and presenting that defense in a gentle and loving way. While truth is important, Paul also notes that there are some issues which are only distractions. He considers these "babble," and arguments over them a form of spiritual disease. Like gangrene, this bickering only spreads and spreads until it becomes catastrophic. The ultimate goal of our evangelism is not to "win" an argument, but to rescue lost people.

In chapter 1, Paul gave Timothy encouragement by reminding him of his heritage and spiritual power. Here, in chapter 2, Paul expands on these commands. Rather than giving minute details, Paul presents a series of examples and tells Timothy to consider them carefully. Paul's instructions here set the stage for the warnings coming up in the next chapter. Timothy—and all believers—need to be prepared and right-minded, because the world is going to become spiritually darker and darker.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.