Confront and Correct with a Clear Conscience

(the Apostle Paul seems to imply by asking Timothy to be strong…)

2 Timothy 2 – Strong Teachers Charge them before God

Remind them of these things:

2 Timothy 2:14a

Paul builds up Timothy and other pastors true to following the Way of Jesus Christ. And further, the Apostle would confront false teachers by binding them with an oath.

.. and solemnly charge them in the presence of God

2 Timothy 2:14b NASB

Warn them before God against quarreling about words;

2 Timothy 2:14b NIV

and charge them before the Lord [God or theos] to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

2 Timothy 2:14b RSV

It’s serious business, this work of pastors leading their church!

Various Bible translations head this section:

• An Unashamed Workman
• A Worker Approved by God
• Dealing With False Teachers
• Approved and Disapproved Workers

Which type of worker are you?

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Accurately Handle the Word of Truth

Legacy Standard Bible

Confronting the World

Believe it or not, MOST Common Era christians do NOT like confrontation concerning the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

WE THE PEOPLE of our certain JESUS-worshiping church don’t even talk about the Way OR the Truth .. even to each other.

OR do most churches challenge the community we include in our worship: to confess our own sins, accept forgiveness in Christ and walk in a new and narrow way.

THE WORLD, on the other hand, speaks sharp words against christians, seeking our conciliation to include their sins and gods of self as acceptable to God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

But to borrow a frequent response of the Apostle to such an argument, I answer:

“BY NO MEANS.”

AND, as Jesus said, it is not you, beloved believer, that the world hates: 

“The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I bear witness about it, that its deeds are evil.

Gospel of John 7:7 LSB

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Therefore the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy and pastors:

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1a LSB

Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God as a workman
who does not need to be ashamed,
accurately handling the word of truth.

Second Letter of of the Apostle Paul to Timothy 2:15 LSB

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Now the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy HOW and WHO to confront, making certain that his (or our) motives are pure since cleansed in Christ.

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But avoid worldly and empty chatter

Paul begins by warning who NOT to debate. For the Apostle has already instructed this in his previous epistle.

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning aside from godless and empty G2757 chatter G2757 and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge—

1 Timothy 6:20 LSB – Strong’s G2757 – kenophōnia

YES, the FALSE teachers seeking to challenge the purity of TRUTH in your church always claim knowledge that goes against God.

So Paul begins again in this letter:

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

2 Timothy 2:16 NIV

Empty disputing, worthless babble. From a presumed compound of kenos and phone; empty sounding, i.e. Fruitless discussion.

source: G2757 BibleHub.org

Have you ever encountered anyone in a Bible study or Church gathering who always seems to go on about something that has nothing to do with you, what you are discussion or what a selection of Scripture says? 

“and their talk will spread like gangrene, Paul warns, citing two men, Hymenaeus and Philetus.

What truth do they challenge?

This is an important question of discernment for the pastor up against false teaching. And the Apostle points to a common false teaching of these two men with knowledge spreading into Ephesus and beyond like gangrene.

They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith.

2 Timothy 2:18 NET

How does the Apostle assure us?

19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription:

“The Lord knows those who are his,” and

“Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

2 Tim 2:19 NIV

quoting Scripture: Numbers 16:5, Joel 2:23

Paul and pastors encountering FALSE knowledge quote Scripture, God’s written word — accurately.

Now the Apostle to the gentiles speaks to our own accountability, specifically that of Timothy as the pastor who must confront such patently false teaching.

Sanctifying the saints

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul points to God – owner of the great house – as maker of every vessel formed regardless of its common use or honorable gilded gloss of silver or gold.

Paul’s letter to the Romans 9:21 KJV

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Although the saints and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ understood a vessel as an implement made for household use, the Apostle uses the familiar metaphor for σκεῦος [skeuos] for a man of quality, as a chosen instrument (honorable) or ‘in a bad sense, an assistant in accomplishing an evil deed’ [dishonorable, as a false teacher would choose].

Jesus remarks, as Paul and Timothy would well know:

No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, [G4632 – vessels]

except he will first bind the strong man;

and then he will spoil his house.

Gospel of Mark 3:27 KJV

The STRONG pastor, as the Apostle encourages Timothy, will CONFRONT any intruder with false truth

AND as an honorable vessel sanctified by the Lord of the House, CORRECT his (or her) false teaching.

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But first, purify yourself

What’s a church to do when a false teacher steps into the spotlight of doctrine and truth?

The Apostle Paul points first to sanctification of yourself.

DON’T be a common vessel, but an honorable one for Christ.

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Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor,

sanctified, useful to the Master,

having been prepared for every good work.

Now flee from youthful lusts

and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Paul’s Second Pastoral Epistle to Timothy 2:2:21-22 LSB

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9 Characteristics of a Faithful Believer

In verses 21-26, Paul sets forth nine characteristics that mark a faithful, godly believer who is a vessel of honor.

Source: MACARTHUR COMMENTARY ON 2 Timothy, p.88

1. a cleansed life
2. a sanctified soul
3. be useful to God
4. be prepared for service
5. have a pure heart
6. and have a discerning mind
7. a gentle manner
8. a humble spirit
9. and a compassionate attitude.

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How’d you do?

How many of these 9 honorable traits Paul suggests fit you as a ‘workman‘ in the large house with various vessels for use?

Do YOU have a clear conscience?

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The clear conscience of a sanctified saint (believer).

a good conscience and an unhypocritical faith

The Apostle had already challenged Timothy and leaders of the Ephesian church in his first epistle:

But the goal of our command is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and an unhypocritical faith.

(later urging Timothy) 

.. that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some, having rejected, suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.

1 Timothy 1:5, 18c-19 LSB

Now, after making certain that church leaders (some who have strayed from the faith), the Apostle commands them HOW to deal with those false teachers in their midst.

When and How to Correct Them

John MacArthur points to these leadership decisions as requiring A DISCERNING MIND.

Paul instructs Timothy in this face-to-face conversational combat a strong Pastor faces.

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But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.

2 Timothy 2:23 HCSB

Foolish, an accusative plural adjective, Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd.

Although we know what ignorant means, accusative adjective – Untrained, uneducated, showing a want of training or education, ignorant. Uninstructed, i.e. stupid.

source:

Why mention it?

The Apostle warns, DON”T engage them.

In fact, because of the conflicts such debates cause, leaders must refuse speculations that restart old battles.

The Apostle reminds Timothy and church leaders that a slave (of the Lord’s household) not only must not quarrel, but also must be kind toward everyone.

Have any trouble with that one?
Does this sound familiar?

Blessed are the meek:

for they shall inherit the earth.

Gospel of Matthew 5:5 KJV from the teaching of Jesus

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Teaching, rather than debating the ignorant

but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition..

2 Timothy 2:24b-25a LSB

The King James Version translates πραότης – praotēs, as meekness (rather than gentleness, or humility NKJV). And why not teach as the Master, the Teacher and Truth of those who may believe, as Paul suggests:

.. if perhaps God may give them repentance leading to the full knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:25b-26

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Was it not lasting Truth and forgiveness spoken by Stephen that began bringing a senseless Saul from the snare of the devil?

The Apostle Paul encourages Timothy to remain strong in the Truth and to teach with a gentleness of words from his humble sanctified spirit.

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NEXT: Danger Within during Difficult Times

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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

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