Paul writes to Timothy to encourage him to be strong and confident in serving Christ and suffer for Christ. Paul talks about serving as a soldier serves and suffers.
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
To solve a problem, you need to face it head on. You cannot avoid it or go around the problem or else it will never be solved. This is what Paul does with Timothy. He tells the reality to Timothy. Just like soldiers, we cannot live our lives the way we want to. Soldiers work to please their commanders.
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV
We need to do our best at work and home for the glory of God. By living a God centered life rather than an I centered life, we can live in this world while glorifying God. If we do follow the rules and do not do things in a God centered world, it does not count.
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5 ESV
Paul gives encouragement after his reality check on suffering. He reminds Timothy that hard working farmers will eventually reap their rewards. We might not see the reward until much longer in our lives.
It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
2 Timothy 2:6 ESV
When Jesus returns, we will reap the rewards and see how our sacrifices were worth it.
Paul reminds Timothy that Jesus has won everything.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
2 Timothy 2:8 ESV
Paul also tells Timothy that God’s word cannot be stopped. By enduring our suffering for Christ, we will see salvation.
for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV
Paul finally says that going the narrow path is difficult and Timothy might fail, but by being faithful, he will eventually win.
The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV
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