Men,
I had an assignment this week to make 15 observations, identify the main idea and determine 5 applications/implementations from the passage 2 Timothy 1:14-15. It was a rich time and I could have spent hours on this small passage if I had time to dig into biblical history, word study etc. I thought I'd share with you to give you a head start at really unpacking this passage.
The reason this passage is so important, as if all Scripture is not important, but this country is slowly turning its back on God being more interested in the world; more interested in the easy road due to the growing persecution of Christians. Now I know that we don't experience anything near the persecution at the time Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, but we still need to be just as aware and just as concerned to "Guard the Treasure."
2 Timothy 1:14-15 NASB – 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit
who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 15 You
are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom
are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
1. Paul is the
author.
2. Paul’s disciple
Timothy is the audience.
3. Paul’s mood is
somber, if not vulnerable.
4. Treasure in
this use is an adjective, not a noun.
Therefore, it is not an object Timothy has to protect.
5. Treasure is the Greek word kalos. It is used 102 times in the NT and 83 is translated good.
6. Therefore, when Paul says "Guard the Treasure" he is telling Timothy to hold on to what is good, namely the "Truth."
7. Timothy is a
believer.
8. Paul must be
concerned for Timothy why else would he be exhorting or urging him to guard the
treasure.
9. Perhaps there
are enemies of the truth where Timothy is.
10.
Since the truth is not an object, the enemies
wouldn’t be able to steal it, but perhaps there is a real danger that they are
trying to lead Timothy astray.
11.
To what lengths should Timothy guard the
treasure?
12.
How is Timothy supposed to guard the treasure,
since it isn’t an object?
13.
Paul is reminding Timothy that he should guard
through the Holy Spirit which implies that Timothy doesn’t have to do it alone…moreso
he can’t do it alone.
14.
Why was the treasure (The Truth) entrusted to
Timothy?
15.
Timothy must be the shepherd of a flock why else
would the treasure be entrusted to him.
16.
Is Paul
referring to all the churches in Asia, all his disciples in Asia?
17.
He
points out two specific people Phygelus and Hermogenes probably because these
two were the strongest of those in Asia and if they have abandoned, things must
be really bad.
Main Idea:
Paul is warning
Timothy to stay strong and protect what is good (Treasure) namely the Truth. There
must be heavy pressure, or persecution, to do so because Paul is making Timothy
aware of all the believers from Asia that is abandoning him particularly two
strong ones.
Application/Implementation:
1. Prepare yourself for persecution.
2. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you guard
against the enemy.
3. We are individually responsible for guarding
the truth.
4. The only way to know and guard the truth is
to be in the word.
5. Despite the fact that others may become weak
and fall away, you can still guard the truth even if you’re alone.
