THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST IN 1ST AND 2ND TIMOTHY
INTRODUCTION:
1. The doctrine of God in 1st and 2nd Timothy disclosed a
God who is eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, due
honor and glory for ever and ever.
2. It also disclosed a God who is our Savior. He
administers his salvation through faith which is based on
inspired scripture.
3. That scripture leads us to Christ Jesus through whom God
the Savior has wrought salvation.
1. He brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel. 2 Tim. 1:10.[1]
2. Death (physical, spiritual, and eternal) is the wages of
sin. Rom. 6:23.
3. Jesus is not just a destroyer, but an illuminator.
4. He illuminates through the gospel.
5. Because Christians possess a life that cannot decay,
anticipation of the accident of physical death can do
nothing to destroy their confidence.
6. He accomplished it by his death; he reveals it through
the gospel.
7. The gospel (scripture) makes us wise unto salvation. 2
Tim. 3:15.[2]
1. John 12:48.
2. John 6:43.
3. Scripture is the only seed God needs; sowing it is the
heart and soul of evangelism. Mark 16:15, 16.
8. Jesus is the source of the sound doctrine. 1 Tim.
6:3.[3]
1. There is a standard of belief; it is called doctrine (1,
3b), sound doctrine (3), the truth (5), the faith (10, 12,
21), the command (14), what has been entrusted (20).
2. Healthy teaching comes from the words of Jesus.
3. It encompasses His message as revealed in Scripture –
the words of Christ. Col. 3:16[4]; 1 Thess. 1:8[5]; 2
Thess. 3:1.[6]
4. False teachers are not committed to the word of God.
1. It will not be the heart of their message or ministry.
2. They will add to it, subtract from it, have additional
revelations, or deny it all together.
BODY: WHAT DO 1ST AND 2ND TIMOTHY REVEAL TO US ABOUT THE
PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST?
4. Christ came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim.
1:15.[7] (See Luke 19:10[8]; John 3:13[9]; 12:46[10];
17:18[11].
1. John often described Christ as “coming into the world.”
John 1:9; 3:19; 6:14; 11:27; 12:46; 16:28; 18:37.
2. This is the central truth of the gospel.
3. It is true and faithful, in contrast to the nonsense of
false teachers.
4. It alludes to the incarnation and the atonement, and
implies his preexistence.
5. The application of the gospel is personal – of whom I am
chief – even though the offer is universal – “worthy of all
acceptation.”
6. This was his purpose from the beginning. Matt. 1:21.[12]
5. He is the only source of salvation – the only mediator
between God and man. 1 Tim. 2:5, 6.[13]
1. Those who believe in him have eternal life. 1 Tim.
1:16.[14]
2. Salvation with eternal glory is in him. 2 Tim.
2:9-13.[15]
3. Paul’s trials are worthwhile in view of the priceless
benefits obtained.
1. 2 Tim. 4:18.[16]
2. Paul did not fear physical danger.
4. That salvation is obtained by all who are in Christ.
5. Consummation is eternal glory.
6. If we die with him we shall live with him. Rom. 6:1-7.
7. If we endure we shall reign.
8. If we deny him we will be denied. Matt. 10:23.
9. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful.
10. No bond between God and man is possible apart from
Jesus Christ.
11. Christ’s humanity is brought into prominence because a
mediator must be equally representative of both sides.
12. Job 9:33 – “There is no umpire between us, Who may lay
his hand upon us both.”
6. He is our ransom. 1 Tim. 2:6.[17]
1. Thinking of Christ as a mediator leads to a precise
declaration regarding the atonement.
2. Paul echoes the language of Christ. Matt. 20:28[18];
Mark 10:45.[19]
3. Christ is pictured as an exchange price on the grounds
of which freedom may be granted.
4. All will not receive the benefits of that ransom price
because, though adequate for all, it requires
appropriation.
5. Christ gave himself. Isa. 53:12[20]; John 10:11, 18[21];
(cf. Gal. 1:4; 2:20; Eph. 5:2; Tit. 2:14).
6. The Greek is an intensified form – not just paid the
price, but became a victim in our place, died our death,
bore our sins.
7. He is our hope. 1 Tim. 1:1[22]; Col. 1:27.
1. The coordination of Father and Son as the sources of the
apostle’s authority points to his conviction about the
diety of Christ.
2. Christ claimed to be the son of God. 1 Tim. 6:13.[23]
8. All of this was accomplished through his birth, life,
death, and all that is encompassed in his nature.[24]
1. What does this mean?
1. Some say it is chronological.
2. Some say it is two triplets.
1. First – life of the incarnate Jesus on earth.
2. Second – the life of the exalted Lord.
3. Some say it is three couplets, each contrasting the
flesh and the spirit.
1. First – the revelation of Christ.
2. Second – the witnesses of Christ.
3. Third, the reception that Christ was given.
2. The application.
1. Revealed in the flesh. Phil. 2:6, 7[25]; Heb. 2:14[26];
4:15.[27]
2. Vindicated in the (S)pirit.
1. Human spirit or Holy Spirit?
1. Human – vindicated in the spiritual realm when declared
to be the Son of God. Matt. 3:17.
2. Holy Spirit – the agent in vindicating the cause of the
crucified, rejected Messiah. Heb. 9:14.[28]
1. Mighty works – Mt. 12:28; John 20:30, 31; Rom. 1:4.
2. Resurrection. 2 Tim. 2:8[29]; Rom. 1:4; 8:11.
3. Beheld by angels (obscure).
1. May refer to birth, temptation, Gethsemane,
resurrection, and ascension; at all he was ministered to by
angels.
2. May refer to the principalities and power that rule the
unseen world; he showed himself to his spiritual enemies.
Col. 2:15.[30]
3. May refer to unfallen angels eager to receive back the
exalted son of God (but see the last phrase 1 Tim. 3:16). 1
Pet. 1:12[31]; Eph. 3:10.[32]
4. Proclaimed among the nations – the universality of the
gospel.
5. Believed on in the world – the response to the
proclamation.
6. Taken up in glory.
1. Ascension.
2. Parousia and final epiphany in power and glory.
9. He is coming again.
1. 1 Tim. 6:14.[33]
1. His return is envisaged as a definite historical event.
1 Thess. 3:13[34]; 5:23[35]; 1 Cor. 1:8[36]; Phil.
2:15-16.[37]
2. Paul is as certain of its occurrence as he is uncertain
about when it will be.
1. “Until” is certain as to the event but uncertain as to
time.
2. V. 15 declares that it will happen in God’s own good
time.[38]
2. He comes as our judge. 2 Tim. 4:1[39]; Heb. 9:26.[40]
1. He will personally appear.
2. When he appears he will judge the living and the dead. 2
Cor. 5:10.[41]
3. He will consummate his kingdom. 1 Cor. 15:24.[42]
4. He will reward those who love his appearing. 2 Tim.
4:8.[43]
1. Paul looked forward to coming into Christ’s presence.
2. Phil. 3:20[44]; 2 Cor. 5:8[45]; Phil. 1:21.[46]
10. How does the salvation that is in Christ impact our
lives?
1. Faith and love are found in Christ.
1. 1 Tim. 1:14.[47]
2. 2 Tim. 1:13.[48]
1. Faith and love refer to the manner in which we are to
hold the pattern of sound words.
2. The manner in which Timothy held to otrhodoxy was as
important as the orthodoxy itself.
3. Had all loyalty to sound words been tempered with these
virtues, the bitterness of much disputation could have been
avoided.
4. In Christ Jesus – an intimate union with Christ is
necessary before faith and love are possible.
2. We acknowledge that He is the master and we are the
servant, 1 Tim. 4:6[49], 2 Tim. 2:24[50]; He is the
commander-in-chief and we are the soldier, 2 Tim.
2:3-4[51]; He is the coach and we are the athlete.[52]
1. Soldier.
1. Duty takes precedence over civil affairs.
2. Renunciation of everything that hinders the real purpose
of the soldier of Christ.
3. No 8 hour day; 40 hour week; we are on duty 24 hours a
day.
2. Athlete.
1. Had to take an oath the he had fulfilled the required 10
months of training so that the standard of the games would
not be lowered.
2. Severe penalties were imposed on those who disobeyed the
rules.
3. The necessity of self-discipline is stressed.
4. Only one receives the crown. (But see 2 Tim. 4:8.)
CONCLUSION:
1. He gives us understanding.
1. 2 Tim. 2:7.[53]
2. Understanding is achieved through the application of the
mind (consider, think) to the word (what I say).
2. He is with our spirit. 2 Tim. 4:22.[54]
[1]10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our
Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel,
[2]15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred
writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads
to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[3] 3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not
agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
[4]16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with
all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in
your hearts to God.
[5] 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you,
not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place
your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no
need to say anything.
[6]1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the
Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did
also with you;
[7]15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full
acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
[8]10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that
which was lost.”
[9]13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended
from heaven: the Son of Man.
[10]46 I have come as Light into the world, so that
everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
[11]18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them
into the world.
[12]21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name
Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
[13] 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given
at the proper time.
[14]16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as
the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect
patience as an example for those who would believe in Him
for eternal life.
[15] 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as
a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.
10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of
those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal
glory.
11 It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot
deny Himself.
[16]18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and
will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the
glory forever and ever. Amen.
[17] 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony
given at the proper time.
[18]28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
[19]45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
[20]12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the
great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.
[21]11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down
His life for the sheep.
18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on
My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I
have authority to take it up again. This commandment I
received from My Father.”
[22]1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the
commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is
our hope,
[23]13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life
to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good
confession before Pontius Pilate,
[24] 16 By common confession, great is the mystery of
godliness:
He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.
[25]6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant,
and being made in the likeness of men.
[26] 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and
blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that
through death He might render powerless him who had the
power of death, that is, the devil,
[27]15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been
tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
[28]14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God,
cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living
God?
[29] 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead,
descendant of David, according to my gospel,
[30]15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He
made a public display of them, having triumphed over them
through Him.
[31]12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving
themselves, but you, in these things which now have been
announced to you through those who preached the gospel to
you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which
angels long to look.
[32]10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made
known through the church to the rulers and the authorities
in the heavenly places.
[33] 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or
reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[34] 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or
reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[35]23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you
entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be
preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
[36]8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[37] 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless
and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst
of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear
as lights in the world,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of
Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in
vain nor toil in vain.
[38] 15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who
is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and
Lord of lords,
[39]1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and
by His appearing and His kingdom:
[40]28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the
sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation
without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.
[41]10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds
in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or
bad.
[42] 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom
to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and
all authority and power.
[43] 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to
all who have loved His appearing.
[44] 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also
we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
[45] 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to
be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
[46]21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
[47]14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant,
with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
[48]13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have
heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ
Jesus.
[49]6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you
will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly
nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound
doctrine which you have been following.
[50]24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but
be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
[51] 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ
Jesus.
4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the
affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who
enlisted him as a soldier.
[52]5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not
win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
[53]7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you
understanding in everything.
[54]22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.