II Timothy 1:14-2:1
ART. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house shall take the following oath.And also make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: ” I ______ do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration.”
–1776 Delaware Constitution (George Read, framer, signed both U.S. Declaration and Constitution)
Verse 14 – That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
1)Good thing – referred to in vs. 6 the “gift.” It was a gift given by the Spirit and to be kept by the Spirit.
2)Committed - All that we have belongs to God.We should not be deceived into thinking we own anything; we are merely stewards of these things.We will give an account of our stewardship. “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.” Matthew 18:23 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12
Verse 15 – This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
1)Phygellus and Hermogenes – What a shameful account to have written in the annals of Scripture for all time that they turned away from a man of God when he needed them the most.
2)Loneliness - Have you ever felt that all your friends have forsaken you, or that you were standing alone? David said in Psalm 41:9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Example – Judas and Christ.
Verse16-18 – The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
1) Onesiphorus – appears to be a well-to-do man who was possibly on a business trip to Rome.While there he sought out Paul, not caring what people thought of him visiting a prisoner.This apparently was not the first time Onesiphorus had showed kindness to the Apostle Paul, as he was known to have ministered to Paul in Ephesus as well.In II Timothy 4:19 Paul says to tell Onesiphorus hello.
2) Trustworthy - Do others consider you as one whom they can trust to share in their spiritual battles? “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Chapter 2, Verse 1 – Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
1) Grace – charis -Gratitude overflowing in fullness of “cheer“ that is, calmly happy or well off, favour.
2) “Strong in the grace” – How do you strengthen yourself in the grace that is in Christ?You don’t.You allow Him to strengthen you through accepting His grace in trials and suffering. “In everything give thanks.” I Thessalonians 5:18 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2, 3 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
