Commentary on the Apostle Paul's Second Letter to Timothy

By COGwriter

 

The Apostle Paul is believed to have written his second letter/epistle to the prophetic evangelist Timothy in 66 A.D., which would be about three years after writing first Timothy.

Chapter 1, verse 1a:

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

So just like 1st Timothy, the second letter to him starts off by pointing to the fact that it was Jesus who made Paul an apostle. The Apostle Paul, in his writings, often brings out his title and role, because apparently there were many who discounted it. Essentially, this looks to be because Paul was not one of the original disciples or apostles. Various ones decided back then, just like most do now, that if someone does not get a title or ordination in a certain human way, that they ignore or do not respect it.

But, Paul not only mentions his position and from whom, in his letter to the Corinthians he added:

5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. (2 Corinthians 11:5-6)

So, there were two issues: 1) is Paul an apostle and 2) if he is, is he inferior to the other ones? And you see Paul's repeated responses--despite what many felt--God appointed him.

In this Laodicean age, such issues still happen--many do not accept how God works when appointing apostles and prophets.

Many people, when they read the Bible, seem to think to themselves that they would not have rejected God's authority as many in the Bible are shown to have done. Yet, in this age, most actual Christians have done the same thing. Related to church government, check out the online article: The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government.

Paul also pointed out that he had knowledge--which should also have helped people understand that God appointed him. The prophet Daniel wrote that knowledge would increase in the last days (Daniel 12:4). And we have seen a lot of knowledge restored in the Continuing Church of God (see Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things), which also confirms we are what we claim to be--as do the last days signs of Acts 2:17-18 (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

Now getting to the latter half of 2 Timothy 1 verse one, Paul mentions "the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus." That is the promise of eternal life, immortality.

Paul is confirming the biblical view that humans do not possess immortality without Jesus--yet most who claim to be Christian think that all humans have immortal souls. Early Christians held to the Church of God view that immortality, eternal life, was a gift from God, and that those who did not receive that gift would be subject to the second death and annihilated. For more information, check out the article: Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality? 

Next verse:

2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

We all need God's grace and mercy, even the prophetic evangelist Timothy--notice that grace does come from the Father and Jesus.

Verse 3:

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 

Christians are to be thankful, and that includes being thankful for Christian leaders.

Notice also that the Apostle Paul mentioned prayer without ceasing. This is similar to what he wrote to the Thessalonians:

17 pray without ceasing,  (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

We all should have a close relationship with God.

Pray at least daily. To assist you with that, we have a free online book titled: Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?

Continuing:

4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 

Yes, Paul wanted to see Timothy again. I, too, would like to see various church leaders and members all around the world as well.

Verse 5:

5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 

Having faith was a characteristic of Timothy as well as his grandmother and his mother.

The Bible tells of both men and women of faith in the Book of Hebrews:

11 Verse 7:

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Noah believed God and acted upon that belief--you should to.

11 Verse 8:

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

11 Verse 9:

By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

11 Verse 10:

for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

These men all acted on there faith as God wanted.

11 Verse 11:

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Even though Sarah laughed at the idea of getting pregnant at an old age, she had believed that God was faithful and would allow her to actually get pregnant and bear a child.

11 Verse 12:

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude-- innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

Verse 13:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

These people died thousands of years ago.

We do not have that much time to wait as we are in the last days. But we still need to have faith and endure. For more on faith, check out our free eBook: Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen.

Moving on 1:6:

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 

Here we see that Timothy received the gift of God from the laying on of hands. In 1 Timothy, Paul wrote:

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elderhood. (1 Timothy 4:14, AFV)

The old Radio Church of God reported:

God gives special gifts -- special powers of His Spirit -- to those who are set apart by the laying on of hands. Remember that it was by the laying on of hands that Timothy received the added ability, called "prophecy" by the King James translators. (Ellis WH. Why We Have the Laying on of Hands Ceremony. Good News Magazine April-May 1965)

The Strong's number 4394 for the Greek word transliterated in English as 'profeetias' is used 19 times in the New Testament, and while it includes 'inspired speaking' it really is a reference to prophecy.

According to the Apostle Paul, genuine prophets are chosen by God (not really committees of men) and God uses His ministers to lay hands upon them (and though God could chose to bypass that step, thus far in the 21st century, He has not --He has used the Laying on of Hands). Dreams are often involved (Acts 2:17-18) (see also Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God and/or watch the video Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule).

Next verse:

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

While proper caution is wise to excercise, Christians are not supposed to be fearful--Satan wants us to fear things we can physically suffer from (Revelation 2:9-10). We are to have the power of God's Holy Spirit and of love and of a sound mind.

We should also remember that hope is much stronger fear for those that have faith.

And where should our hope be?

In the word of God:

81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. (Psalm 119:81)

114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. (Psalm 119:114)

147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word. (Psalm 119:147)

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, (Colossians 1:3-6)

Let's focus on a sound mind.

Satan does not have one.

But he started out with basically everything, but will lose it all. Herbert W. Armstrong taught that the 28th chapter of Ezekiel was about Satan (Armstrong HW. Satan's Fall - Ezekiel 28. Radio Broadcast HA231A. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1339505256):

11 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 12 "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God:

"You were the seal of perfection,Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.

14 "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.

16 "By the abundance of your tradingYou became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.

17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;I cast you to the ground, laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.

18 "You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever."'" (Ezekiel 28:11-19)

Notice that Satan will be no more forever. The Hebrew Nya 'ayin, ah'-yin, is used, This is Strong's word 0369 which is defined "as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable)."

Yes, Satan will be destroyed--his vanity overcame his mind and strengths.

He is called, "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" ( Ephesians 2:2).

His "trading" as Ezekiel 28 puts it, had to do with pushing lies and destruction. Vanity and pride are lies.

Jesus said the following about him to people who had been falling for his influence:

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. (John 8:43-45)

Satan wants you destroyed--he wants you prideful--he does not want you to be humble.

He also does not want you to submit to church government or truly believe what is in the word of God. The Apostle Peter wrote:

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:5-11)

We need to resist Satan and realize we will have eternal glory if we resist Satan and truly accept Jesus--who will have dominion forever.

The Apostle James taught the same thing:

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:6-10)

Satan has no real power. He pushes deceipt, pushes your lusts, and pushes society to oppose God, His ways, and His people.

Despite the church being small, we do not need to fear Satan.

Consider that after Jesus cast out a demon in Luke 11, in the next chapter Jesus said:

32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

Remember that in 2 Timothy 1, Paul wrote, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear."

Even though Satan wants you destroyed, you are not to fear him above God--but that is what Satan wants.

However, the time will come when many who later gaze on Satan will realize who weak he really was. Notice:

12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground,You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart:'I will ascend into heaven,I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,I will be like the Most High.' 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

16 "Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?'

18 "All the kings of the nations, All of them, sleep in glory, Everyone in his own house; 19 But you are cast out of your grave Like an abominable branch, Like the garment of those who are slain, Thrust through with a sword, Who go down to the stones of the pit, Like a corpse trodden underfoot. (Isaiah 14:12-19)

But we do not need to wait until that time--we should realize this now--Satan is not a power who can over power us unless we let him--and he will be destroyed.

Do not forget that the Apostle Paul wrote:

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (Philippians 1:6)

While Satan can temporarily hinder us (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:18), WE CANNOT LOSE AGAINST SATAN IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP. I have long felt that if I kept the Sabbath and went to the Feast of Tabernacles that I could not lose. Yes, there were sometimes problems/issues with teachers and employers, but I still ended up getting numerous degrees and promotions.

Remember that Jesus taught:

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Do not think that "you can't take it anymore." We are to take things one day at a time.

CHRISTIANS CANNOT LOSE IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP. That should be the result of not fearing Satan or the world and having a sound mind.

Also, remember can do all with the help of Jesus:

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Do not fear or give up.

The Apostle John wrote:

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4)

Yes, God in us is infinitely more powerful that Satan.

Do not fear, do not give up.

Remember the Book of Proverbs teaches:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Do not be so wise/proud in your own eyes that you will not trust God. It will work out well for you in the end.

Satan was/is wise in his eyes--and knows a lot more than we humans do--yet it will not work out well for him in the end.

Trust God, do not deceive yourself as Satan has deceived himself.

Back to 2 Timothy 1, Verse 8:

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 

Consider that Jesus taught:

32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:32-39)

Christians are to not be ashamed of Jesus, but be willing to face the world, including sometimes close family members, about Him and truth.

1:9:

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 

Notice that we are not called according to our works, but because of God's purpose and grace. Also, notice that this was before time as we know it began.

The word translated as “time” above is the Greek word transliterated as chronoen. Versions of which are in the Textus Receptus Greek New Testament 53 times. It seems to mean time or when an age began.

When did this age or time as we know it begin? While we see beginnings mentioned in Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1, for our age we should look at the 3rd to 5th verses of Genesis 1:

3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5, NKJV)

As far as time referring to a religious time, notice the earliest scriptural reference in the Book of Genesis, with both a Protestant and a Roman Catholic translation shown:

14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs and will mark religious festivals, days, and years. (Genesis 1:14, God’s Word Translation, GWT)

14 God said, ‘Let there be lights in the vault of heaven to divide day from night, and let them indicate festivals, days and years. (Genesis 1:14, NJB)

The Hebrew word mowed’ is in the original in verse 14 and refers to a religious festival.  The NIV translates it as “sacred times.”

So, before God made light, He choose those He would call.

This is a teaching/doctrine known as predestination.

Let's look at where the Bible mentions predestination directly.

Ephesians 1:4-6 Paul teaches:

...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

While some are predestined to be called in this age, most of humanity has NOT been predestined to remain lost.

Notice also:

11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

Those predestined are predestined, not to be lost, but to be the praise of His glory.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)

Notice, none of the places in the Bible where predestination is mentioned says anything about anyone being predestinated to be permanently LOST -- predestinated to reject Christ. No one is predestinated to make a certain decision -- to accept or reject Christ -- to be saved or lost. But some have been predestinated to be called to salvation, now!

If God is not trying to save the whole world now -- if most are not now called, or given opportunity for salvation — why does God call any during this age? What's the purpose of calling some now?

That great purpose is to be trained to rule with Christ, and to teach, under Him, when He comes in His Kingdom -- when all Israel shall be saved. We are being trained, prepared, fitted, through trial and test, through hardship, through persecution, through tribulation, with continual Bible study and prayer, growing in grace and in knowledge, to be able, then, to fill the high office of a king or a priest -- either to rule in the civil sense, or to preach God's truth when the time comes that all may be privileged to understand, and to be called.

What a glorious mission is the true Christian life! So don't grieve over departed ones you have felt were lost. The chances are they were simply not then called -- it was not given to them to understand -- their chance had not yet come. But they shall be resurrected, their spiritual blindness removed, and, if you are one of the called, and if you are faithful and finally chosen, you may be used then to minister to them, and to lead them into salvation and life eternal.

Oh, what a glorious hope! What truly good news, is the true gospel of Christ, which most people today simply have never heard. They are hearing a false gospel today!

But Paul in Romans 11 shows that salvation has come to the few, the elect in Israel, and to some of the Gentiles. And why? He explains it in verses 31-32:

31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. (Romans 11:31-32)

They are blinded, now, that apparently partially through the mercy of those who are now called, they may obtain mercy and salvation after Jesus comes as the great Deliverer. This will result in the vast majority of humaity being converted. God has a loving and wonderful plan. See also the free eBooks Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God's plan of salvation and The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? for fuller explanations).

1:10:

10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 

Early Christians realized that humans did not have an immortal soul. Yet, after pagan influences, the Greco-Roman Catholics, and then the Protestants, moved away from the biblical view. For details, check out the article Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?

Verse 11:

11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 

Notice that Paul is telling Timothy that he was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Paul often emphasizes that he was appointed to his positions. Here are some other examples:

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us (2 Corinthians 10:13)

17 ... I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. (Philippians 1:17)

Many in Paul's day did not accept his appointments, but he kept telling people he was appointed.

Onto verse 12:

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Because of preaching the gospel and being so appointed, the Apostle Paul suffered and was persecuted.

And notice he was able to handle this because he had faiith.

Next:

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 

Holding fast--notice that Paul did not want Timothy to change doctrine.

Six times, Paul wrote that Christians are to hold fast (1 Corinithians 15:2; 1 Thessalonans 5:21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Hebrews 3:6, 4:14, 10:23)

Jesus told several of the church's in Revelation 2 and 3 to hold fast:

12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Revelation 2:12-13)

24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. (Revelation 2:24-25)

1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (Revelation 3:1-3)

7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:7-11)

Jude wrote Christians are " to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3), which means to hold fast and advocate the original faith. But the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant churches have failed to do so.

Next verse of 2 Timothy:

14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is a good thing committed to Christians, but it is not a who--the Greek word for who is NOT in the original text.

Here are two more actually proper translations of that verse:

Guard the good thing that was committed to you by the Holy Spirit that is dwelling in us. (AFV)

guard the good thing committed through the Holy Spirit that is dwelling in us; (LSV)

Verse 15:

15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 

Notice that despite being God's apostle, as well as a prophet, ALL those in Asia Minor turned away from Paul.

So, when we see various ones fall away from the truth, or simply from the Philadelphian remnant of the Church of God, do not be dismayed as if some strange thing happened as this type of thing has occurred throughout the entire church age.

Moving along:

16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 

Apparently, some were ashamed of the Apostle Paul because he was arrested. However, the household of Onesiphorus was not and took steps to help and encourage the Apostle Paul.

1:17:

17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 

So, we see that Onesiphorus was zealous and not lukewarm, like most end time Christians are. He even went to Rome to visit the imprisoned Paul.

Ending with verse 18:

18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day--and you know very well how many ways he ministered [d]to me at Ephesus.

  Paul prayed that God would bless Onesiphorus for his support.  

Chapter 2, verse 1:

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

Thirty three times in the NKJV we see the expression "be strong." Most of the time it is to leaders like Joshua, Daniel, and Zerubbabel, but sometimes to others of God's people.

Paul also wrote that regular Christians should be strong and he gave instructions on how to do that:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -- (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Christians are told to be spiritually strong and to prepare, because we will be attacked.

And we should expect this will happen as the Apostle Peter wrote:

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now

"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

2:2:

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

This is consistent with contending earnestly for the original faith (Jude 3). However, Greco-Roman Catholics tend to consider this a validation of traditions that they have that are not in scripture. Traditions can be fine, but if they contradict scripture, they are not to be accepted. Sadly, the Greco-Roman Catholics as well as Protestants have done that. We have the following to assist them and others:

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences. 

Verse 3:

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

Hardship--that points to suffering. Soldiers know that they have to put up with it, so should Christians according to the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle John wrote that Jesus came so that we could have life “more abundantly” (John 10:10), so why does God allow suffering?

Because there are purposes of it.

Jeremiah the prophet was inspired to write:

31 For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men. (Lamentations 3:31-33)

Notice that God does not willingly afflict nor grieve us. He wants us to do well (cf. 3 John 2).

Seemingly bad things happen to decent people.

Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15), but suffered for us (1 Peter 2:21). And “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

Why does God allow humans to suffer?

There are a couple of reasons. One is as punishment for/result of our sins to encourage us to not sin and to turn back to God (Lamentations 3:39-40; Leviticus 26:18). And, we should understand that the Bible teaches that God punishes us less than our iniquities deserve (cf. Ezra 9:13; Job 11:6). Now, even people who believe at least those parts of the Bible, realize that.

But there is another, more complicated, reason.

The Apostle Paul tells us that “the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope” (Romans 8:20). He also wrote:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

People are in the process of being refined--which includes grief and affliction--yet there is hope. Those not called in this age are refined one way (Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 9:7), whereas those called are to be refined and purified more like silver and/or gold (Zechariah 13:9; Psalm 66:10; Daniel 11:35, 12:10; 1 Peter 1:7; cf. Revelation 3:18). Hence there are “fiery” trials in this age (1 Peter 1:7; 4:12).

There is a hope for what will be better:

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:9-12)

Thus, we are to be patient and confident that God’s ways will result in "better things." Making the universe and your eternity better is what God's loving plan is all about--see also our free eBook: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? 

Patiently enduring suffering is a sign of love:

4 Love is long-suffering, it is kind, love does not envy, love does not vaunt itself, is not puffed up, 5 does not act unseemly, does not seek its own things, is not provoked, does not impute evil, 6 [does] not rejoice over unrighteousness, and rejoices with the truth; it bears all things, 7 it believes all, it hopes all, it endures all. 8 Love never fails; (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Literal Standard Version)

The Greek word translated as love is transliterated as ‘agape’--and this type of love rejoices in the truth and will bear all things. A mystery of real love is that suffering can be involved in the development of love. Real love will not fail.

Sometimes people suffer for doing good:

17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:17)

Note that the above does NOT SAY it is the will of God to inflict suffering on ourselves so that we would be miserable--yet that is what a demonic apparition told a little girl in Fatima, Portugal to do in 1917.

That said, remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and aspects of love are a mystery in God’s plan (cf. Ephesians 5:25-32).

Now, the Bible is clear that there are benefits that will arise from the suffering that afflicts us:

3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. (Ecclesiastes 7:3-4)

16 The Spirit itself bears witness conjointly with our own spirit, testifying that we are the children of God. 17 Now if we are children, we are also heirs—truly, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer together with Him, so that we may also be glorified together with Him. (Romans 8:16-17, AFV)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.  (Proverbs 3:11-12)

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Suffering is allowed so that people will be corrected, be trained, build character, and be better from it (see also Romans 5:3-4, 8:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5; James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 1:5-8; Revelation 21:7-8). Trials and problems help build faith, teach humility, teach us lessons, and can help us draw closer to God.

While it can seem overwhelming now, God understands and makes it so His people can bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus essentially taught to take it one day at a time (Matthew 6:34). And what He has planned in the future is so beyond what physical sufferings will be in this life (Romans 8:18).

Jesus and God’s people have suffered:

1 Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, leaving behind all the weight of the sin which surrounds us, let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who having been offered joy, endured the cross {Gr. stauros – stake}, despising the shame and was seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied in your souls and faint. (Hebrews 12:1-3, Jubilee Bible)

Suffering will end:

12 … Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more; 13 For now I will break off his yoke from you, And burst your bonds apart. (Nahum 1:12-13)

While this was given as a prophesy related to Nineveh, other scriptures confirm that suffering will end (Revelation 21:4) and the yoke of Satan will be broken (Isaiah 14:12-17; Revelation 20:1-3).
It needs to be pointed out that suffering does not always result from our actions. We, like Jesus, can suffer wrongfully:

19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (1 Peter 2:19-23)

Jesus set an example to us about suffering (1 Peter 2:21-24). As did the prophets (James 5:10-11).

We are to imitate Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-24), as well as the prophet Paul (1 Corinthians 13:2) as he imitated Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1).

2 Timoth 2 onto verse 4:

4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 

Our priorities should be firmer than that of soldiers to the military. You are not to let societal matters get in the way of serving God.

Next verse:

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 

Christians are not crowned unless they strive to obey the rules of God.

Paul wrote:

25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

James wrote:

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:12-18)

Peter wrote:

4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:4)

Jesus promised:

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)

Sadly, in this Laodicean time, most Christians have allowed men to dissuade them from being Philadelphian Christians.

But, brethren, you need to continue, as well as hold fast.

Back 2 Timother 2, next verse:

6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 

Yes, we are to physically benefit from our work.

Verse 7:

7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

Yes, we are to strive to get understanding in ALL THINGS. This will help you "instruct many" as is prophesied for end time faithful Christians in the NKJV, the LSV words it as follows:

32 ... and the people knowing their God are strong, and have worked. 33 And the teachers of the people give understanding to many (Daniel 11:32-33, LSV)

The Book of Proverbs teaches:

5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you. (Proverbs 4:5-9)

Back to 2 Timothy 2:

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 

Yes, Jesus was the seed of David as prophesied and also was resurrected from the dead--that is good news!

Verse 9:

9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 

Despite him wrongly being persecuted, and the chains of being imprisoned, Paul continued to support the work of God--you should as well.

Next:

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Yes, we need to endure whatever things we face in this life to obtain eternal salvation through Jesus.

It is recorded three times in the New Testament that Jesus said:

"he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13)

Hopefully, you believe Jesus and you will endure and not give up! If we do not give up, TRUE CHRISTIANS CANNOT LOSE AS THEY WILL BE GRANTED FANTASTIC ETERNAL LIFE!

Verse 11:

11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

Yes, we must endure until death to be able to live with Jesus forever.

That being said, I have long been of the opinion that we die when it is best for us.

When that will be is something that God decides.

Here are three passages of scripture that I believe support that:

1 For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 9:1a)

1 The righteous perishes,
And no man takes it to heart;
Merciful men are taken away,
While no one considers
That the righteous is taken away from evil.
2 He shall enter into peace;
They shall rest in their beds,
Each one walking in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1-2)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

That is why I believe that Christians die when it is best for them. There are other passages that I believe also apply to non-Christians, but you can read those in our free eBook: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? 

Now, let's continue in Romans 8:

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:29-38)

In those passages, Paul confirms much of what this article has covered.

Now to 2 Timothy 2, Verse 12:

12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

When Paul wrote that, the Book of Revelation had not yet been penned. But, it backs up what Paul wrote:

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:8-10)

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)

1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1-5)

So, believe, that YES, if we endure and do not deny Jesus, we will reign with Him.

We have real hope with unbreakable promises if we endure and do not give in to Satan and give up.

2 Timothy 2, Next:

13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

God is faithful, even if we mess up.

Remember the Apostle John wrote:

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-2:6)

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:1-6)

So, yes, we will be saved if we make mistakes and confess to God--Jesus is ALWAYS faithful.

2 Timothy 2, verse 14:

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 

Well, this article is reminding readers of this. Also, notice the warning about striving unnecessarily--which is something our critics, as well as those who left us, have tended to do.

2 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 15:

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Be diligent. Be hot, do not be lukewarm.

We need to rightly divide the word of truth, which is part of the reason in the Continuing Church of God we have gone over each and every verse of most of the books of the New Testament and intend to go over them all, as well as as many in the Old Testament that we can get to.

Next:

16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 

Again, this is sadly true of critics and many who left us--though they would argue that this has not led them to ungodliness--yet it has. They do NOT support the end time Philadelphian remnant work of God (but they should--see Why is there a Philadelphian remnant of the true Christian Church of God?), despise proper church government (but they should heed instead, see The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government), and really do not have the love of the brethren that they sould have (see also The Philadelphia Remnant: It's All About Love).

Continuing:

17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 

You can find many so afflicted who post nonsense, and profane and idle babblings online.

Verse 18:

18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 

Now, while various ones have strayed concerning the truth, the resurrection is not the specific issue they claim. Some critics point to doctrine, some point to statements from talebearers, others have convinced themselves to have non-Philadelphian Christian priorities.

Onto verse 19:

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Yes, Jesus knows who are His and who is part of the true Philadelphian remnant. Many who left not just the CCOG, but other COGs, have gone into iniquity.

Next verse:

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 

Yes, that is still the case.

It was also the case of the falling away that happened in the late 20th century (see also The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings).

Some endure, others will decay and rot.

2 Timothy 2:

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 

So, Paul is telling Christians to remove the things that perish from our lives.

Jesus tells the non Philadelphian Christians to hold fast in these end times. Notice, though, what He tells other end time Christians:

1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' (Revelation 3:1-6)

14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'" (Revelation 3:14-22)

Yes, while there are problems with non-Philadelphian Christians, God will accept them (and you) if they/you properly change.

Now to 2 Timothy 2, verse 22:

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

Satan does not want you to flee youthful lusts or pursue righteousness, faith, love, or peace. Nor does Satan want you to have a pure heart. That is part of why, as prince of the power of the air, he has corrupted a lot of what is considered to be entertainment in this age.

Verse 23:

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

Sadly, various ones who have falsely judged the Church of God in general, and the Continuing Church of God in particular, have done this.

The Bible warns against talebearers, yet many who claim to believe the Bible have accepted stories from talebearers and taken wrong actions.

The Bible teaches:

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body. (Proverbs 26:20-22)

16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people … (Leviticus 19:16)

In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, the Apostle John was inspired to write:

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)

Sadly, there are many corrupt and bitter people who prefer to believe and push lies about the CCOG and its leadership.

Please, do not be one of them.

Next verse:

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 

Yes, all Christians are servants of the Lord and should be able to teach as the need arises--particular consider also that there is a prophecy that in the end time, various ones of God's people will instruct many (Daniel 11:33, watch also Preparing to Instruct Many).

Furthermore, gentleness is one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

One of the reasons that our sermons in the CCOG are more scripture, historically, and prophetically focused than other churches is to help train you so that God may use YOU to instruct many (Daniel 11:33) and be a witness (Matthew 24:14).

But there will be persecution. Others are NOT being trained like this--other churches do not focus on preparing their congregants to instruct many--at least none that I know of.

The LOVE OF MANY WILL GROW COLD (Matthew 24:12). They will not care enough about sacrificing and going through the open door (Acts 14:27; Revelation 3:7-8).

Most will not realize that the end cannot come--and Matthew 24:14 fulfilled--until more of the fullness of the Gentiles have come in:

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)

The Gentiles who God will call in this age MUST come in, hence planting the seeds for that is part of the short work! More on the Gentile component of Matthew 24:14 can be found in the article: The Final Phase of the Work.

The Apostle Paul also wrote:

14 ... Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16)

Many today, instead of forbidding it like the Jews, downplay and/or ridicule reaching Gentiles in places like Africa. But, they do not seem to understand that the Bible teaches that WE MUST INSTRUCT MANY INCLUDING GENTILES!

Most Christians will NOT be Philadelphians in the end before the start of the Great Tribulation. Most Christians still not have the same zeal or love of the truth and proclaiming it that they should--although the Book of Hebrews teaches:

1 Let brotherly love (Philadelphia) continue (Hebrews 13:1).

Jesus noted that there were Laodiceans after the Philadelphians who could not see their problems and had the wrong work (Revelation 3:14-18).

Notice also that Matthew 24:14 ties the successful proclamation with the coming of the end. There is a certain shortness in passages of Matthew 24:14-21.

2 Timothy 2:

25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 

What is truth?

60 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psalms 119:160)

151 And all Your commandments are truth (Psalm 119:151).

21... the Scripture of Truth. (Daniel 10:21)

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

Since it is the word of God that is truth, and Philadelphian Christians are supposed to be able to teach the truth, that again, is part of why the Continuing Church of God covers so many scriptures in its sermons.

Onto the last verse of chapter 2:

26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Knowing the truth allows us to come to our senses. Allows us to have a sound mind. We, therefore, do not have to be taken captive by Satan to do his will, but instead can do God's will.

Satan wants you to think that he is so powerful (through pressures from lust and society and vanity) that you cannot resist him, but you can.

And from the scriptures, not only do we learn that if we resist Satan, he will flee--we also learn that Satan no true power compared to the power of Christians who have God's Holy Spirit.

Here is a link to the sermon: 2 Timothy 1-2: Sound Mind and Satan.

 

Chapter 3, verse 1:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 

We are in the last days and have perilous times.

Verse 2:

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 

This is fairly obvious from the news media, politicians, academia, advocates of sexual immorality, and other aspects of modern society.

Continuing:

3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 

In modern times, many equate perverted lust with love. Instead of exercising self-control, many claim that they "were born that way" as an excuse to engage in abominable practices. Those who promote that, as well as those who promote abortion, are brutal. And yes, they despise those who strive to hold to biblical standards of morality.

Next verse:

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

The fact that religious leaders who profess Christianity have turned away from obvious aspects of the Bible, demonstrates them to be traitors. When they appeal to academia or various theologians, their responses are essentially haughty when they do not accept what the Bible says.

Many are so haughty that pride parades happen now in many parts of the world.

Yes, many claim to be pushing love, but it is love of their preferred pleasures over that of loving God.

2 Timothy 3, verse 5:

 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 

Yes, many try to appear religious--but they deny the Bible.

Many try to claim that they are for love, tolerance, and inclusiveness, but in reality they are hateful, despise God, and tend to support excluding those who hold to biblical views on morality. Isaiah foretold of such:

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:

"Because you despise this word,
And trust in oppression and perversity,
And rely on them,
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you
Like a breach ready to fall,
A bulge in a high wall,
Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.
14 And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter's vessel,
Which is broken in pieces;
He shall not spare.
So there shall not be found among its fragments
A shard to take fire from the hearth,
Or to take water from the cistern. (Isaiah 30:12-14)

Anyway, we are to turn away from such people.

We are warned to NOT condone or otherwise approve of their immoral behaviors. The Apostle Paul was also inspired to write:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Let it be noted that many now have censored these scriptures from being taught as they consider them to be "hate speech." We have seen a lot of suppressing "the truth in unrighteousness." We have also seen this with scientific research being suppressed, stifled, and/or misreported. Sadly, more will be coming.

Verse 6:

6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 

The anti-biblical push by many has not only made captives of gullible women, but also men who have been led away by various lusts.

2 Timothy 3, next:

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

This is certainly true to areas of morality, but includes archealogical and theological journals etc. Lots of papers are written, but very few go back and promote the truth of the Bible. The focus of many of them seems to be to get, attain, and/or retain the praises of men, not the promote the glory of God.

Onto verse 8:

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 

Resisting the truth is not a new thing as Paul is pointing out here. Deacon Stephen also ran into this, so he stated:

51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." (Acts 7:51-53)

Instead of people repenting to stop resisting, Stephen was stoned.

Even today, we see that Protestants do not really believe in sola Scriptura, nor do the Greco-Roman Catholics really want to promote and live by the original faith.

2 Timothy 3, next verse:

9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Many will not know the following that will be manifest to all until after the second resurrection when they appear before the white throne of judgment.

2 Timothy 3, continuing:

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 

Carefully followed doctrine.

Again, the Apostle Paul is pushing not changing the original faith. Jude wrote, "to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3), but this is NOT what the Greco-Roman Catholic or Protestant churches have done. And then there are the Christians of Sardis which did not perserve as they should have with doctrine and the Laodicean who have a lukewarm work.

2 Timothy 3, continuing:

11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 

Now, when Paul was hit with persecutions, he did not know how long that they would last--but he endured them. And out of them all the Lord delivered him--Jesus will deliver you as well if you trust Him--even if that deliverance may not come until the first resurrection.

Verse 12:

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

The Apostle Peter wrote:

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

End time Christians are going to be persecuted.

The Book of Daniel specifically shows a two-part persecution coming (I added the a and b below for emphasis):

25 a He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. b Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)

Initially (a), he shall persecute certain of the saints, which is consistent with what Jesus said was coming:

9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14)

Much of the above will affect the Philadelphian Christians (cf. Revelation 12:13), but they (along with seemingly some in Thyatira) will later be protected (Revelation 3:8-10; cf. Revelation 2:22-25) in the wilderness for a time, times, and half a time (Revelation 12:14-16; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra). Part of why the Philadelphians will be persecuted is for proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and probably also for identifying the coming King of the North, who will not wish to be identified that way. This will likely result in internet and other restrictions on getting the truth of God out to the world (cf. Amos 8:11-12). But also notice that some will be betrayed by people who they thought were Christian.

Note that the saints will be persecuted before they are "given into his hand"; perhaps that particular persecution means all of God's people, or more likely at least many of the Philadelphians, will be persecuted before the period "time and times and half a time" begins (Daniel 7:25a ). Then the Philadelphians will flee and escape the sword:

50 0 You who have escaped the sword,
Get away! Do not stand still!
Remember the Lord afar off,
And let Jerusalem come to your mind. (Jeremiah 51:50)

So, the above talks about God's people who escape--which is what will happen to the Philadelphian remnant (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

Getting back to Daniel, the expressions "completely shattered" and "Then the saints shall be given into his hand" seem to show that most of the saints will be in the tribulation (Daniel 7:25b). We know this cannot mean all the saints because the book of Revelation says the Philadelphians will be kept from the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10)--protected "from the presence of the serpent" (cf. Revelation 12:14). God will in some way separate Christians living when these terrible calamities finally come to be. The Philadelphia Christians will be protected from the Tribulation--most of the rest of the real Christians, however, will not be! (Revelation 3:16).

In Daniel 11, we learn, somewhat oddly, something upsets the coming King of the North even though he feels that he made a very good deal:

28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land (Daniel 11:28).

This verse about his heart being "moved against the holy covenant" could be referring to the fact that some of God's people are warning against what the deal in means. Notice verse 28 from a different translation:

28 Then the king of the north will return to his country with great treasures. But on the way, he will attack the religion of God's people and do whatever else he pleases (Daniel 11:28, CEV--Contemporary English Version).

Since it is the Church of God religion that historically is the "religion of God's people" (for many details, see Continuing History of the Church of God) and its members are the ones who fulfill the new covenant by having the law written into their hearts, it seems likely that the literal expression "holy covenant" refers to the most faithful of the true Christians (cf. Luke 1:72-75; Hebrews 8:8-12; Daniel 12:7). It appears that God's people are teaching something publicly that the King of the North does not want taught--otherwise he would have little reason to bother to attack such a "little flock" (Luke 12:32). This is about the time that the "one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days" days (1335 days) mentioned in Daniel 12:12 begin--although it may not be until the next verse or two in Daniel 11.

Continuing:

29 At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant (Daniel 11:29-30).

30 For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant. (Daniel 11:30, New Living Translation 1996 Greg Laurie)

Notice that after suffering at least a naval embarrassment, the King of the North seems more upset with God's people than the power that confronted it militarily (watch also A US naval conflict with Europe is prophesied). This angers him to further persecute:

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. (Daniel 11:31-35, NKJV).

(The words in italics are NOT in the original Hebrew.) As far as WHO will instruct many, see the article Philadelphian Christians Will Instruct Many and/or watch the sermonette video: Will YOU Instruct Many?

The persecutions in Daniel 11 above are by one called the King of the North (Daniel 11:40; 7:25a)--the King of the North will NOT like the message that the Philadelphians are proclaiming at least of part of which will likely be the Continuing Church of God identifying him to the world as the prophesied King of the North. The persecuted Christians will instruct many--probably explaining more perfectly things related to Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20!

Let's look at another translation of Daniel 11:34:

During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. (NLT)

Yes, some will pretend to be COG Christians are turn real Christians in to the authorities--that is also consistent with what Jesus warned of in Matthew 24:10--and that is also consistent with the timing of Matthew 24:10.

Daniel 7:25a persecutions, which are consistent with the persecutions in Daniel 11:28-35, are a factor in the opening of the fifth seal in Revelation, which is the start of the Great Tribulation:

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. (Revelation 6:9-11)

Notice that this is consistent with Daniel 7:25 a and b. There were those who were martyred/persecuted (a) then there were to be more who were to be martyred/persecuted (b).

Now let me add that I believe that the non-Philadelphian Christians will attempt to distance themselves from the CCOG when persecution is directed mainly towards us. While they will think that they have protected themselves, they will face something worse.

In Daniel 7:25 b, we saw that the remaining saints will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. This is the portion of the COG, the non-Philadelphians (and the non-protected Thyatirans), who are NOT protested in the wilderness as Revelation 12:17 shows this separation:

17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17)

There are persecutions just before the Great Tribulation starts per Daniel 7:25a, 11:28-35; Revelation 12:13, and then during the time of the Great Tribulation per Daniel 7:25b, Revelation 12:17; 14:12-13.

So, yes, end time Christians are going to face persecution.

Do not think it strange when this happens to those of us in the Continuing Church of God before the Great Tribulation begins.

2 Timothy 3, verse 13:

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 

This is truly happening now.

And with deepfakes, artificial intelligence, etc., the time will come when CCOG leaders will be imitated so well that many will be deceived by the imposters. We have already seen this with people setting up a Facebook account and pretending to be me.

Moving along n 2 Timothy 3:

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 

Notice that we are to CONTINUE with the original faith. Yet, another time Paul is teaching what Jude also taught.

Next:

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Notice that the scriptures are able to make us wise for for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. We are not to accept traditions of men to twist or overlook scriptures as the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths have.

Onto verses 16-17:

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Here is a Roman Catholic translation of those passages: 

16 All scripture is inspired by God and useful for refuting error, for guiding people's lives and teaching them to be upright. 17 This is how someone who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work. (NJB)

Yet, the Roman Catholic Church does not truly agree with this. They do not believe that the Bible has enough information for this, as it teaches the need for something called the Living Magisterium, which interprets and changes doctrines according to councils of men, traditions of men, etc.

In a comparison between the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), ChatGPT put forth the following conclusion:

Conclusion

From a deductive and doctrinal standpoint:

• The Continuing Church of God claims continuity with early Christianity and rejects what it views as post-apostolic additions by the RCC.

• The Roman Catholic Church asserts itself as the original, continuous Church founded by Christ, with authority to define doctrine through time.

Which one is “correct” depends on:

• Whether you accept Scripture alone as the final authority (CCOG view),

• Or you accept the authority of tradition and the Church hierarchy (RCC view).

�� Final Notes:

• CCOG sees itself as a faithful continuation of first-century Christianity, without additions from Greco-Roman or pagan tradition.

• RCC sees itself as the historical Church established by Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit through centuries of doctrinal development.

In the CCOG, we accept what the Apostle Paul wrote related to scripture in the last two verses of 2 Timothy 3.

Sadly, that is not the case of the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant churches.

Now to Chapter 4, verse 1:

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 

2a Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. 

Timothy was to preach the word of God. That is what we in the CCOG do in our sermons, etc. It is part of why we have intentionally tried to cover each and every verse in this book as well as dozens of other books of the Bible.

And note, Christian ministers are to preach the word in season and out of season.

We strive to always do that.

3:2b:

2b Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

Notice that ministers are to preach to convince you, rebuke you, exhort you, with longsuffering and teaching--in other words to try to correct, instruct, and encourage Christians, even if it takes a long time and seemingly requires some aspects to be repeated.

Verse 3:

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 

The term Laodicea in Revelatio 3:14 is plural. Basically, there are many groups, mainly because most end time Christians will not endure sound doctrine when it comes to church governance.

Details about that are covered in the article: The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government.

2 Timothy 4:4:

4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

This certainly has happened with the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant churches.

They encourage lying fables about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and a variety of other topics.

They have adopted aspects of pagan Greek philosophers on topics such as the immortality of the soul (see also Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?).

They have adopted aspects of the religion of the pagan sun-god Mithras (see Do You Practice Mithraism?).

They have accepted traditions of men like Sunday (see: Sunday and Christianity) over the truth of the Bible, like the Sabbath (see The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad).

They accepted pagan views on what God's loving plan is (see the free eBook: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You.

They do not even understand God's plan of salvation as they turned aside from what scriptures and early Christians taught (see the free eBook: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation).

They label the original faith as extreme or being a negative cult.

And in the Church of God, note that most Christians do NOT accept that God uses dreams in this age, though He does (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?). Plus, most have turned away from true biblical governance to accept their own logic, which is basically a fable (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government).

Verse 5:

5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Timothy was to do the work of an evangelist, despite the afflictions. In Kenya, evangelist Evans Ochieng continues to do the work of an evangelist despite enduring afflictions and difficulties, as do I.

2 Timothy 4, verse 6:

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 

Paul was ready to be martyred. According to various traditions, he was martyred in Rome.

Moving along:

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Hopefully, you and I have fought the good fight. However, we have not yet finished the race. Yet, if we do, we see that Jesus will give a crown of righteousness, on the day of the first resurrection when He returns. Notice Paul specifies that it will not just be him to get such a crown, but that it will be given to to "all who have loved His appearing. "

Verse 9:

9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 

Paul wanted to see Timothy soon, and did not want him to be lukewarm about it.

This may be because Paul was of the view that he was about to be killed.

It is believe that this happened probably c. 68 A.D.

2 Timothy 4, verse 10:

10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 

So, there is one called Demas. He had acted like a Christian and had helped Paul, but he loved the present world so much, that he left.

The Apostle John warned:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Don't be like Demas. If YOU do the will of God, you will abide forever!

Verse 11:

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 

Luke wrote the gospel with his name as well as the Book of Acts. Paul asked for Mark. He did not want him before:

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; (Acts 15:36-39)

Paul changed his mind about Mark. Apparently, something probably scared Mark earlier, so Paul did not want to rely on him. However, after he traveled with Barnabas and probably showed other fruits, Paul decided Mark was now useful.

So, yes, even if you have been scared or had other issues, if you change, God will accept you back as well.

Verse 12:

12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 

Timothy was also in Ephesus, so Paul is telling Timothy that he sent Tychicus there as well.

2 Timothy 4, verse 13:

13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

Now the above is very important to what could be called the chain of custody and canonizaton of the New Testament. This looks to be one of the ways that Mark was to be useful to the ministry. Here is something from our free eBook: Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete?:

Mark, scripture reveals (1 Peter 5:13), spent time with Peter and would have been a logical one to supply the parchments to Peter. The parchments, plural in 2 Timothy, implies numerous writings and perhaps also multiple copies. Peter basically put the initial New Testament canon together (consistent with Isaiah 8:16; Matthew 16:18-19); and we see some of the chain of custody from the Apostle Paul (also consistent with Ephesians 2:19-22).

Various theologians believe that Mark brought those books and parchments to Paul, who, presumably with consultations with Peter and probably John, made the final canonization decisions on all that was written until that time.

In his second epistle, Peter refers to Paul’s writings as scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16), this provides even more of a scriptural basis for this position—Peter would not have called Paul’s epistles scripture if he was not sure that they were. Scripture frequently shows that John and Peter were together (Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37; Luke 22:8; John 18:15, 20:2-9; Acts 4:3, 8:14; Galatians 2:9).

The late John Ogwyn wrote:

Who, then, did put together our New Testament? The answer is found in 2 Peter 1:12–21. The Apostle Peter explained to his readers that his death was imminent, and that he wished to ensure that after he was gone there would be an authoritative record of Jesus’ real teachings. There were already, in the late 60s ad, "cunningly devised fables" (v. 16) circulating. Peter explained that the young Christian community should look to him, and to his fellow Apostle, John, for the "sure word of prophecy."
This becomes clear when we read Peter’s words carefully. Beginning in verse 12, Peter writes in the first person singular about his approaching death, and his desire to leave a permanent record. In verse 16, he abruptly switches from "I" to "we." Who is the "we?" The answer becomes plain in verses 16 through 18. The "we" are those who accompanied Jesus to the mountain where they saw His transfiguration, and heard the voice from heaven (Matthew 17:1–6). These were Peter, John, and James the brother of John.
By the time Peter was writing 1 Peter, James had died—the first of the Apostles to be martyred (Acts 12:1–2)—so Peter’s "we" had to refer to him and to John. Before his death …  Peter put together the very first "canon" of the New Testament, consisting of 22 books. Near the end of the first century, John added the five books that he wrote, bringing to 27 the number of books in the New Testament that we have today.

Already in the second century, in the earliest writings of the "Church Fathers," we see that the New Testament canon existed, and was quoted from and referenced frequently. (Ogwyn J. Do You Know the Real Jesus? Tomorrow's World. September-October 2004)

After Peter died, John would have taken over the responsibility as he wrote the last books of the Bible and is believed to have outlived the other original apostles.

More on the canon can be found in the free eBook: Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? 

Back to 2 Timothy 4:

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 

Throughout the church age, there are people who have harmed church leaders and/or the church. They will be rewarded, in this case punished, according to their works.

Next:

15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

This further suggests that Alexander the coppersmith still considered himself a Christian, yet he did not accept hierarchical church governance. Most end time Christians resist it in the 21st century. Like Alexander, they have wrongly convinced themselves that they are right.

Verse 15:

16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

Had the same experience once when we hosted services for either the Global or Living Church of God. A man came from Southern California, and began to argue against some doctrine. No one else there supported me against him, despite agreeing with me. That was disappointing.

Verse 17 of chapter 5:

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 

In my case, I held my ground and gave a witness.

Verse 18:

18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Yes, if we are faithful, we can rely on the promise that " the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom."

Onto verse 19:

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 

2 Timothy 4, verse 20:

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

Despite healing miracles associated with the Apostle Paul, not all were healed as the statement about Trophimus shows, as well as one about Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23. Surely, various ones grumbled and passed on gossip that Paul could not have really been a prophet and apostle since Trophimus and Timothy were not healed, and that of his own health problems (2 Corinthians 12:8).

But God, and the truly faithful, knew better.

Next:

21 Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Again, Paul urged Timothy to come quickly. He also mentioned others in Rome who greeted, and hence knew, Timothy.

Wrapping up the book of 2 Timothy:

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

We all need the Lord Jesus Christ to be with us, and we all need God's grace.

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