\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 2\\

In this chapter the apostle continues his exhortations to Timothy,
with respect both to his office and his conversation, and closes with
the character of a minister of the Gospel. The apostle having
exhorted Timothy, in the former chapter, to abide by the Gospel,
notwithstanding whatsoever he might suffer for it, here points out to
him that grace and strength in Christ, which he would have him have
recourse unto, to enable him to discharge his duty, \\2Ti 2:1\\ and
that the Gospel might continue, he advises him to take care of a
succession, and to commit the Gospel preached by him to others, whose
qualifications for it are faithfulness and aptitude to teach,
\\2Ti 2:2\\ and in order to animate him to labour diligently in the
Gospel, and suffer cheerfully for it, he observes to him that he was a
soldier, and must endure hardships, and not indulge to the ease and
pleasures of life; was a runner in a race, and therefore must strive
before he received the crown; and was as an husbandman that must
first labour before he partakes of the fruit: which things he would
have him seriously consider; and desires that the Lord would give him
understanding in them, \\#2Ti 2:3-7\\, and then with the same view, to
encourage him to suffer for the Gospel of Christ, he puts him in mind
of the incarnation and resurrection of Christ, as a summary of the
Gospel, and a specimen of what he had heard of him, \\#2Ti 2:8\\ and
instances in his own sufferings for it, the nature, use, and end of
them, by way of example and imitation, \\#2Ti 2:9,10\\, and for the
same purpose mentions several useful sayings and pithy sentences, as
true and, to be depended on, \\#2Ti 2:11-13\\ which he would have
Timothy put his hearers in mind of, and especially those to whom he
committed the Gospel to preach; charging them, in a solemn manner,
not to strive about words, which is not only unprofitable, but
hurtful, \\#2Ti 2:14\\ and with respect to himself, he exhorts him to
diligence and study, in interpreting and explaining the word of God,
that so he might be approved unto God, and not be ashamed before men,
\\#2Ti 2:15\\ and on the contrary, to avoid false doctrines, as being
profane, empty, and mere babble; and as tending to greater impiety;
and as being dangerous and threatening, like the spreading canker; of
which he gives instances in Hymenaeus and Philetus, \\#2Ti 2:16,17\\
whose error was, that the resurrection was already past; and succeeded
in the spreading of it, to the subversion of the faith of some,
\\#2Ti 2:18\\. However, for the comfort of real believers, it is observed,
that notwithstanding such errors, and the success of them, the
foundation stands sure; God has a certain knowledge of his own people,
and will keep them; and therefore it becomes such who either call on
the name, or are called by the name of Christ, to depart from such evil
doctrines, \\#2Ti 2:19\\ and that such things happening in the world,
and in churches, should not be thought strange, the apostle illustrates
the case by a simile of a great house, which has vessels of all sorts
in it, and for different uses and purposes, \\#2Ti 2:21,22\\.
Wherefore, to conclude his exhortations to Timothy, he advises him to
flee those lusts which are incident to youth; to follow things that are
good, and to avoid foolish and unlearned questions, which tend to
strife, \\#2Ti 2:22,23\\ which leads him on to give the character of a
servant of the Lord, or a preacher of the Gospel; that he must not
strive, but be gentle, patient, and meek, in instructing adversaries;
for which he should have an aptness; and is encouraged to act this
part, from the consideration of success under a divine blessing;
namely, bringing such persons to repentance, and to own the truth, and
the recovery of them out of the snare of the devil, \\#2Ti 2:24,25\\