2:1-6 What does Paul mean by what he says here?
2:1-6 What does Paul mean by what he says here?
Paul is admonishing Timothy here - and by extension, every Christian - to overcome his apparent diffidence toward his ministry and renew his commitment to it. He is to teach others all that he has seen and heard Paul do in his ministry.
Teaching others God's word is incumbent upon all Christians. This is the foundational requirement of discipleship commanded by Jesus (CP Mt 28:18-20). Paul likens Christians to soldiers, athletes and farmers.
Like soldiers called to endure the hardships of war, Christians must be prepared to endure hardships for the cause of the gospel (CP 2Ti 2:3, 9-12 and 1Ti 1:18 with Php 1:29-30; 2Ti 1:8; 3:12; 4:5).
As soldiers prepared for war are no longer involved in normal civilian life, so too Christians must not get involved in worldly pursuits (CP 2 Ti 2:4 with 1Cor 9:25-27; Jas 4:4; 1Jn 2:15-17).
A Christian's commitment to the service of God is also likened to an athlete's commitment to sport. Like an athlete, the Christian must be willing to sacrifice and live a life of strict discipline (CP 2 Ti 2:5 with 1 Cor 9:24-27; Php 2:16; 3:13-16).
Finally, like farmers who labour to the point of exhaustion for a bountiful harvest, so too Christians must labour intensely for a spiritual harvest - they cannot be lazy or indolent (CP 2Ti 2:6 with 1Cor 3:9; 15:10; Col 1:28-29).