Witness of the Community
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Key Verse: “The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Selected Scripture: |
PAUL’S SECOND EPISTLE to Timothy written from prison was an exhortation to stand firm in the strength of the Lord, especially since false teachers would attempt to corrupt the truth of the Gospel message. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”—II Tim. 2:1
Our Key Verse asserts not only Timothy’s need for strengthening, but that he should assist others in their Christian growth by transmitting to them the instructions he had received from the apostle. By committing the Truth to faithful men, these believers in turn would teach others, ensuring the continued promulgation of sound doctrine within the church.
In his final admonition to Timothy, Paul acknowledges his own service had been under the supervision of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”—chap. 4:1-4
Although much of the foregoing was directed specifically to Timothy who was an important leader in the Early Church, there are valuable lessons from these verses that each believer today should apply in his own Christian walk.
The good news of God’s coming kingdom to bless all the families of the earth should be proclaimed faithfully by all who appreciate this precious promise. Being ‘instant in season, out of season’ would imply that every reasonable opportunity should be taken to share this glorious message with others, even if it were personally inconvenient for us to do so. At times of despair and sorrow, how much the aching hearts of others could benefit from some comforting words relating to better times in the future under God’s direction.
Additionally, when erroneous teachings are proclaimed in our midst such as all unbelievers being tormented forever in the flames of a fiery hell, we should promptly point to scriptures that demonstrate the loving nature of our Heavenly Father who desires “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”—I Tim. 2:4
It will require faithfulness and fortitude for Christians to stand up for the Truth, but the reward promised for those who do this has been penned for our encouragement by the Apostle Paul. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”—II Tim. 4:7,8