| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
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| 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. |
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| 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. |
Endure – Bravely and cheerfully. R3069:3
Patiently endure afflictions to the end. R1823:4
Willingly, gladly, under the guidance of the Captain. R5404:5
Do not become weary; consider what the Lord faithfully endured of opposition. R4804:1
Hardness – Hard, distressing conditions; unpleasant, difficult circumstances; experiences designed to work out for the Christian's good. R5404:5
Humiliation and self-sacrifice. R1708:5
The Christian enlists in this warfare, knowing that it means his death--the death of the flesh, of the human nature. R5404:4
Poverty, scant rations, and hard service. R3162:6*
As a good soldier – Representing the Christian. R5403:3
Of the cross; foregoing the rights and privileges of the present time. R5404:2
Having a soldierly bearing, as a proper representative of the King; battling against Satan. R5404:4, 1
Not merely outwardly loyal, but having the full spirit of the cause; not ashamed of the garment of Christ's righteousness. R5404:4
Assisting and setting an example to the other soldiers. R5404:2
Some of a Christian's greatest difficulties are right in his own person; the chief battle is with himself. R5404:2
Unless we are willing to learn lessons through experience and to endure hardness, we shall not be prepared to enter the eternal glory. R5147:6
Even though Paul had received rough treatment and was beaten by the mob, yet he asked the commander for the privilege of speaking to the people. R4485:3
A vow of complete, unquestioning obedience to the orders of superiors--the entire suppression of every selfish interest for the advancement of the supreme cause one has contracted voluntarily to serve, to follow, and for which, if need be, to die. R3162:4*
The true soldier does not debate his cause. He is rightly supposed to have settled upon its justice and righteousness before he enlisted to serve it--he is ready to spend all and be all spent in its defense. R3162:6*
Not trembling before the certainty of hunger, thirst, nakedness, wounds or death. R3163:1*
Using the term soldier to represent the Christian has a great deal of meaning because there is a war going on here on earth. R5403:3
Of Jesus Christ – There was no organized undertaking for the overthrow of sin until Jesus came. His mission was to overcome Satan, overcome sin, and to bring everything into full harmony with God's arrangement. R5403:6
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| 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. |
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| 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. |
Lawfully – Justly. R1312:3
In harmony with our Lord and the arrangements he has provided. R4129:5
However good our intentions, none will be crowned for striving unlawfully. R4282:2
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| 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. |
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| 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. |
Consider – Reflect, think, study, ponder--study the revelation which God has made respecting himself. R3312:3,6
Consider the natural things of the Lord's provision, and read in them certain great lessons--consider the ravens; (Luke 12:24), the Lord has made provistime. Consider the lilies of the field; (Matt. 6:28), their beauty teaches us d that the Lord is able to produce the beautiful without our aid, and that if necessary he could likewise clothe us miraculously. R3313:1, 2
How the Lord suffered in every sense unjustly and for righteousness' sake. R3313:5
The heart that fails to consider the little things fails to be able to appreciate the larger things, and thus is hindered from a proper appreciation of God's plan and character. R3313:3
The Scriptures invite the faithful to consider, to search, to prove, saying, "Come, let us reason together." (Isa. 1:18) R3312:3
And the Lord – Whose assistance is necessary in order to make our study of his Word profitable. R3313:6
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| 8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: |
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| 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. |
The Word of God – It is a great mistake to affirm that the Bible is the product of the church; those who make this claim do not know where to look for the church. R1584:3
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| 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. |
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| 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: |
If we be – If we become. R297:4
Dead with him – Dead to the world and to our own will--alive to the will of God. R297:4, 4616:3, 4453:2, 127:3*, 121:3
Faithful in laying down the present life for the Lord's sake. R2615:5
Only if we suffer with him shall we reign with him. R5621:3
Counting ourselves dead with Christ as actually we were dead with Adam. R914:3
Sanctified believers are reckoned as dying with Christ their Redeemer. R1454:4, 5342:1
Christ and his Church die to human hopes and interests, present and everlasting--laying down their lives, suffering for righteousness' sake. R5495:5
If we have our earthly natures consumed, then we shall get the divine nature. R5250:5, 4784:3, 4525:5
Means the consecration to death of all the members of the body of Christ. R4980:5
Live with him – Be partakers of his divine nature. CR348:6; R4398:1, 2615:5, 121:6
Share with him in the heavenly part of the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. R4453:2
Neither the fear of death nor the appreciation of the crown must be our controlling motive but an appreciation of what he has done for us, our love to him, and our desire to please him. R3561:4
Which can be only if we receive the same resurrection change which he experienced. R1260:2
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| 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: |
If we suffer – With him. R5739:6, 5546:6, 5421:5, 5420:6, 5196:6, 5108:4, 5090:5, 5079:3, 5051:4; T26
As his members. R5180:4
For right doing; gladly and joyfully we drink whatever cup the Father may pour for us. R5739:6
Drink of his cup of suffering and death. R4547:4, 5643:4, 5420:6, 5192:6, 4147:5
Only those who suffer and die with him will share Messiah's throne of glory. R5180:6, 5638:3, 5622:2, Q610:4; SM144:T
The call of this Age is for sacrificers only--to follow our Redeemer's footsteps of self-denial, even unto death. R4920:3, 5392:2, 5090:5, 5067:3, 5063:5, 4453:2; OV189:T
Only those who will stand the test of faithfulness under sufferings, trials, crosses, self-sacrificers, have the promise of sharing with Christ in the glories of the Church Triumphant. OV188:4, 379:4; CR80:1; R30:6*
"Heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him." (Rom. 8:17) A212; E144, E146; F439; T50; R5677:4, 5643:1, 5192:6, 5079:4, 2787:2, 1782:6, 1574:1, 1566:1, 1372:3, 623:6
This feature has not yet been fully completed. CR93:6
These sufferings are not such as are common to humanity--sickness, etc.-- but sufferings for Christ's sake, which means activity in Christ's service. R1782:6
Jesus' sufferings were sacrificial, not for any wrong-doing; hence if we share in his sufferings, our sufferings must be sacrificial. R4616:3
This willingness to suffer is the covenant of sacrifice that we make with our Lord. R5108:4
By being made conformable to his death. R4964:6
Suffering which we bring on ourselves through faithfulness to our covenant. R5117:4
The favored of the Lord are required to pass through experiences of suffering more than others. These adversities should be accepted by them as marks of divine favor, fitting them for their future positions. R2761:1
It is one sacrifice in the sense that it is all one body of one Priest that is offered. R4965:3
As soon as the sufferings are ended the glory with begin. CR327:5; R157:2
The glory of the great Christ, Head and body, cannot be ushered in until all of its sufferings are at an end. R3683:3
This thought should be before the minds of those who participate in the Memorial. R5643:1
In the close of this Age the Lord may take away his people in a fiery trouble; but as with Elijah, it will be a chariot to carry them home, to glory, honor and immortality. R5677:4
Those who anticipate that the followers of the Lamb are to be borne to Paradise on flowery beds of ease are surely mistaken. R4138:4
Reign with him – Sharing the glories and honors of our Head on the spirit plane. R4398:1, 5392:2, 5196:6, 5180:4, 5067:3, 4855:6, 4547:4, 3709:3, 1176:3; A196
When he has established his kingdom on earth. R1151:5
Participate in the inauguration of the new dispensation, and in dispensing its blessings. R5421:5
During the Millennial age. OV254:4; R3683:2
Participation with Jesus in the divine nature--glory, honor and immortality. R5677:4
If we miss the persecution we shall also miss the blessing. CR493:1
Made possible by the permission of sin. God could justly permit members of the fallen race, of the same disposition as Jesus to lay down their lives by suffering, to be accounted worthy of also reigning with him. SM67:1
"He called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thess. 2:14) T80
"Then shall we also appear with him in glory." (Col. 3:4) A86
If we deny him – Disown. R1139:4*
God gave to man full freedom of choice to do good or evil, that they may, like himself, do right because it is right. R725:5
He expects of us courage to confess him. SM182:3
"They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him." (Titus 1:16) E490
He also will deny us – Will then deny us. E490
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| 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. |
Cannot deny himself – God cannot do wrong. "It is impossible for God to lie." (Heb. 6:18) A118; R1177:1, 250:3, 14:1
Because it would be inconsistent with his righteous character. A126
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| 14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. |
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| 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. |
Study – Study to know what God would approve. Study the Revelation he has made. Study the nature of everything that we come in contact with, as to whether it is good or evil. R4838:2
Study the doctrine, study your course of conduct, study to shield yourself and others from error and from a worldly spirit. R3097:1
Study the Word; study to avoid error and to shun all foolish questions and profane and vain babblings. R4839:1, 3097:4
Make yourself thoroughly familiar with the truth, that you may indeed be a living epistle, known and read of all men. R5045:4
Study our hearts to see that we are striving daily to cast out all the old leaven of sin. R4839:2
Study your weak points and how they may be guarded against, that you may know your talents for service. R3097:4, 1638:2
Study yourself; that you may know both your abilities and your shortcomings. R4839:1, 3097:4, 1083:3*
The knowledge of the will of God does not come to us in a supernatural way, but through the study of the Bible. SM351:T; R5511:3, 5203:2
Not a mere formality of thoughtless reading. R5511:3
Find it, mark it, and make sure what you believe. Q487:T
Be not only a student, but a doer of his will. R349:4
We are to give all diligence to the work of studying to make this reckoned cleansing, this imputed righteousness, an actual thing, to the extent of our ability. R4839:1
Those who have only a partial understanding of the divine plan will find it difficult, if not impossible, to stand in this evil day the assault of the world, the flesh, and the Adversary. But if they have proper zeal for the Lord and a proper love for the plan, they should manifest that zeal by thorough and persevering study of the volumes. They cannot afford to do less. R4930:5
The elect have been receiving their education by giving themselves wholly to studying the Scriptures of truth, and were being led into all truth by the spirit of truth. R33:5*
Shew thyself – Paul was not writing to all the class; he was writing to a leader, Timothy. Q475:T
Approved unto God – Do not mind so much what men may say or think, but seek the approval of God first. R5512:4
A workman – Suggests the thought of being engaged in service. R5511:6
Those who are willing to serve under disadvantageous conditions. Idlers and drones will not have a place in the kingdom. R5512:4
They must be wise and faithful servants--servants who study. R1797:1
Not to be ashamed – The true Gospel cannot be put to flight. CR64:2
Rightly dividing – Bringing the matter out properly, rightly divided. Q475:T
The proper application of the Word of Truth; the understanding of how and when and where it should be applied. R4838:3
Which scriptures belong to the present time and which to the future. Q518:4; R4966:1, 4675:1; OV236:4
Which portions of the word refer to natural Israel and which refer to spiritual Israel. Q518:4; R5808:6
The study of the Bible along dispensational lines clears away all difficulties. R4966:1, 4675:1
To make such a prayerful study of the Word of truth as will enable us to place things where they belong. R5512:2, 2957:3
Truth rightly divided and fairly presented commands the respect even of its opponents. R646:4
Apparently this was not possible during the Dark Ages. R4588:3
The word of truth – Which was given by inspiration. R4242:5*
And see that our lives are in harmony with the word. R5512:5
Wisely present it in such manner as to avoid choking the babes in Christ. R806:2
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| 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. |
Shun profane – If we have consecrated all to God, our time is not our own; and consequently we have none to spare for the investigation of theories built upon any other foundation than that laid down in the Bible. R5970:2, 5045:3, 3199:3
And vain babblings – Close students of the divine Word are prepared to quickly detect error, even though it lurk behind a very plausible semblance of truth. R1206:3
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| 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; |
And their word – What is true of one error is true of another; it is the duty of teachers to defend the hearers by defending the truth. R59:1*
Eat as doth a canker – Into the heart. R1800:5
Hymeneus and Philetus – False brethren, from whom will come the church's greatest peril. R1319:3, 1664:1*
False teachers who arose in the Church of Ephesus. R2221:4
At times it seems absolutely to the interest of the Lord's flock to identify persons with false teachings. R2837:2
Forerunners of the Papacy. F201
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| 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. |
Have erred – The Thessalonian brethren seem to have drawn a wrong conclusion, supposing that Paul taught that the day of the Lord would surely come in their day. R665:3
The resurrection – One of the most prominent doctrines of the New Testament. R1508:6
In this text anastasis has the Greek article, showing emphasis and indicating that the first or special resurrection is surely meant. R1512:1
Overthrow the faith – To tell fairly what another believes and to show that it is wrong is far from evil speaking. In many instances it is a duty to speak. R4524:3
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| 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. |
The foundation of God – The ransom provided. R566:6
The Word of the Lord. R4826:1
Standeth sure – All other foundations are worthless--all other theories must come to naught. R4839:1
The Lord knoweth – No one but the Lord certainly, truly, knows which are the true sheep. OV123:1; R5707:4
It would be impossible to establish a communism of saints only, because we cannot read the hearts. R1861:6
Them that are his – The true Church. D158; R3156:1, 1103:3
All the saintly in all sects and parties. R5067:1; CR268:6; 252:1
And will care for them regardless of denominational lines. OV239:7
We may hope for a large number who are not bowing either to sectarianism or to the golden calf of mammon. SM702:1
Those who manifest a reverence for the Lord and to whom he correspondingly manifests his favor in various ways in various ages, co-operating with them for their present joy and their everlasting welfare. R3964:1
The Lord will find and will feed and will strengthen those who are his. R3781:2
He is acting as advocate to these, representing them before the Heavenly Father. CR472:1
The Lord is not at all dependent upon us for the carrying of the present truth to the hungry multitude, but for our advantage he has given us the privilege of becoming co-laborers with him. R3781:2
Members of the true church know each other wherever found, by the description which God has given. R1103:3
"They shall be mine, saith the Lord." (Mal. 3:17) F76
"The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous." (Psa. 1:6) R3155:6
"He calleth his own sheep by name." (John 10:3) R2441:6
We are not to identify the Bride class with the nominal Christian Churches of today any more than we would identify the Apostles with the Jewish Church of their day. SM206:1
He also knows those who are not His, those who are merely deceived tares. NS94:4
Nameth the name – "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." (Exod. 20:7) R1527:3
Of Christ – Jehovah's representative. R1527:3
Depart from iniquity – Inequity, injustice, and from everything that is unrighteous. R4335:3
Everything wrong in respect to faith, conduct and customs. F83
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| 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. |
In a great house – The household of faith, the house of God. HG750:6
Vessels of gold – The Little Flock. HG752:4
And of silver – The Great Company. HG752:4
Wood and of earth – Those on the human plane. HG752:6
Some to dishonor – Less honor. (The Great Company.) CR325:4; R5759:1, 5493:3
The vessels for less honor were selected first, until John the baptizer, who was one of the chief of the Ancient Worthies, the house of servants. R1872:2
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| 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. |
Purge himself – A purifying of the thoughts. SM337:T
To purge out the old leaven of sin. (1 Cor. 5:7) R3096:6
From these – Purge out the old leaven of hypocrisy, envy, and self-exaltation. R2279:5
Foolish questions and strife about words to no profit--especially from the false doctrines of those who would subvert the faith of the church. R3096:6
A vessel unto honor – We should be on the alert to win the very best offered. R5759:1 Given special assistance and special opportunities of service which would not otherwise be his. HG751:4
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| 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
Flee also – Fleeing from temptation. R3973:1
Follow – Pursue. R2517:6
Righteousness – Purity of heart--freedom from unrighteousness. R2518:1
Whatever it may cost, justice and righteousness must be followed. R2517:6
Faith – Fidelity. R2517:6
Charity – Love is purity of heart--freedom from selfishness. R2518:1
A pure heart – The more pure our hearts the less will they be affected by slanders and backbitings and evil-speakings. R2518:1
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| 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. |
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| 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, |
Servant of the Lord – To be proper servants of the Lord, we must not strive, must not argue or quarrel. R5698:6
Be gentle – Cultivate the love which is forbearing, forgiving and kind. R5912:5, 4803:5
Let the sword of the spirit do all the cutting. R3596:4
Apt to teach – To have the teaching ability--able to present the message in a way that will be assimilable to the minds of others, making it clear, plain and logical. R5699:4, 733:3
Also to be meek, loyal of heart, and humble when presenting the truth publicly or in private. R5699:4
Not all have the ability, the gift, of making things plain to others. R5699:4
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| 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; |
In meekness – Not in bitterness, nor in wrath, nor with sarcasm. R2757:5
Not in a combative spirit or with a show of gratification over the defeat of others. R1920:5
Without strife. R3185:3*
When presenting the truth, never assume an air of superiority, nor manifest haughtiness. R5699:4
Put character and principle first, then patience, gentleness, meekness. R4391:1
Instructing – Teaching. E284
Correcting. R4391:1
If the truth is attacked and honest souls are in danger of being stumbled, we must, "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." (Jude 3) R5699:1
One should never lose his head--the more cool, calm, and self-composed we are when opposed, the better we can defend the message we bear. R5699:2
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| 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. |
The devil – Whose very existence is now denied by many. F609
The Apostle was a firm believer in a personal devil. R3165:6
At his will – If they yield themselves to his control. R2179:1
The world's experience under the delusions of the Adversary will, during the Millennial age, be thoroughly exposed. F627
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