Verse one of 2 Timothy 2 reveals an important truth. We are to be strong. And the strength we are to display is made possible only by the grace of Christ Jesus. That's not typically how I think about strength. When I am strong, it's because I am able. I have achieved something for myself that enables me to exhibit that strength. But that's the opposite of what we see here.
In John 15 Jesus talks about how He is the vine and we are the branches. We draw our nourishment from Him alone and as a result we are able to "bear much fruit". This feels like the same type of idea. Paul is pushing Timothy to be strong, but not to rely on himself as the source of that strength.
There are a few other major ideas from this chapter. Verse two is often quoted as an example of how and why to share the Good News of Jesus. We are to entrust this message to reliable people who are qualified to teach others.
And the last half of the chapter is a great reminder of how God desires to use us for His purposes, and that our usefulness to Him is directly tied to our closeness with Him. Have we fled the evil desires of youth and pursued righteousness, faith, love and peace? Have we cleansed ourselves from wickedness? Are we quarrelsome? And have we understood that our ability to answer these questions the way we are "supposed to" comes not from within ourselves but from abiding in His grace?
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