Gospel of John [17:17-18]. The Lord's priestly prayer; part 25. 2Ti 2.

Title: Gospel of John [17:17-18]. The Lord's priestly prayer; part 25. 2Ti 2.

 

 

JOH 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.

 

JOH 17:18 "As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

 

Since they are being sent into hostile territory, to reclaim it for its rightful Owner, they must be given spiritual protection - practical sanctification in the truth.

 

Practical sanctification - to set apart from the world system and the OSN unto God for His work in this world.

 

We are not to remain in the world because there are no other options available. We are positively sent into it as our Master's agents and messengers.

 

2TI 2:4 No soldier [literally  - "no one"] in active service [at war] entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

 

No one who wars entangles himself in the affairs [pragmatia] of the necessities of life.

 

The Greek word translated "everyday life" is bios which refers to physical life or the means of being alive. The affairs of bios are the affairs of existence. The Greek word zoe, also translated "life" refers the immaterial life, but bios is all things material that are needed to remain physically alive. All believers are alive but not all believers really know how to live.

 

Soldiers do not supply the logistics they need to war, but the command does and their suffering is inevitable.

 

Supply lines are one of the most important aspects of armed conflict. In human wars geography plays a huge part in this but not so with God, as if geography or any other thing could hinder Him. This doesn't mean that we don't work and take care of the details of life but it does mean that we leave the end result of that work unto Him and so we don't entangle ourselves in it so as to be occupied with logistics or worried or anxious (Mat 6) about them. It is clear here that if we are entangled in them then we will not be pleasing to our Master and King.    

 

2TI 2:5 And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

 

From the figure of a soldier, Paul turns to that of a Greek athlete. "competes as an athlete" is one word, athleo, "to engage in a contest, to contend in the public games." Our words, "athletic, athlete," come from this word. It was the Greek word for the act of contending in athletic contests. The crown the victor received, was a wreath for his head, woven of ivy, laurel, roses, oak leaves, etc. But the victor does not receive it unless he has striven lawfully, that is, unless he has obeyed the regulations governing the contest.

 

The Greek athlete was required to spend ten months in preparatory training before the contest, engaged in prescribed exercises, live a separated life, and was placed on a rigid diet.

 

He was to separate or sanctify himself from the ordinary and lawful pursuits of life as he remained in the training complex under the gymnasium manager. Should he break training rules, he would, be disqualified from the games.

 

If the athlete broke the rules he would be disqualified or untestable.

 

1CO 9:26-27

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified [adokimos].

 

He turns from the example of the athlete to that of the farmer, or tiller of the soil.

 

2TI 2:6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

 

The word for hard-working means to grow weary or exhausted from labor.

 

The communicators of the gospel will get exhausted from the work, but they will be supported.

 

GAL 6:9

And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

 

This is not just the first evangelists, pastors, and apostles, but all believers who would be expert witnesses for Christ. The same is true after the first century. The evangelists and pastors will become weary at times and they should be supported so that they may continually do so. And also, the rest of the royal family of God, who will be fully supported by God who gives seed to the sower, they will become weary and exhausted at times.

 

1CO 9:11

If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you?

 

2CO 9:10-11

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

 

2TI 2:7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

 

We all need to consider passages of scripture in order to come to deep understanding rather than just try to gobble them up as quickly as possible.

 

"Consider" is a word that means, "to perceive with the mind, to understand, think upon, ponder, consider." Expositors translates, "'Grasp the meaning' of these three similes."

 

When considering pondering, and thinking upon such things, if I have a hard time understanding then ask of God who gives all things liberally.

 

Similes to consider:

1) Soldier - not entangled in details, hardship expected, trust the King.

2) Athlete - separation from world, follow the rules.

3) Farmer - labor will be wearisome and he has the right to derive his financial support from it.

 

Paul had used the illustration of a soldier. Timothy was to live a rugged, strenuous Christian life in which hardships as the result of serving the Lord Jesus were an expected thing. He used the simile of a Greek athlete. Timothy should live a life of rigid separation, not merely with respect to evil things, but also with regard to things which, good in themselves, would unfit him for the highest type of Christian service. Paul now uses the metaphor of a tiller of the soil. Timothy is reminded that the Christian worker who labors with wearisome effort in the Lord's service, has the right to derive his financial support from it, so that he might be able to give all of his time and strength to his work.

 

2TI 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,

 

2TI 2:9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

 

2TI 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.