Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of II Timothy Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting II Timothy 2:1-13
2:1Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2:3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 2:5And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully. 2:6The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits. 2:7Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.
2:8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: 2:9wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound. 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2:11Faithful is the saying:
For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:
2:12if we endure, we shall also reign with him:
if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:
2:13if we are faithless, he abideth faithful;
for he cannot deny himself.
June 18, 1944: II Timothy 2:1-4
Who is a good soldier of Christ Jesus? Whoever sees active service in the cause of Truth and who is obedient always to its Principles.
What does the soldier of Christ Jesus surrender? He surrenders the personal consciousness with its standard of personal rights and independence of all standards but that of the self, and submits to the dominion of universal consciousness instead.
In what spirit does the soldier of Truth meet hardship? In the constructive, impersonal Spirit, without complaint, bitterness, or defiance, but in the consciousness of work to be done without fail. He gives himself to total service.
What determines the effect of hardship on a person? His attitude toward it is the all-determining factor. If he meets it in the spirit of the Christ, hardship gives him greater strength and makes victory possible to him.
June 18, 1944: II Timothy 2:8-12
What is the consummate example of hardship met and endured in the right spirit? Jesus Christ's submission to crucifixion, from which was wrested the victory of the Resurrection.
What hope does this example afford us? The hope of a resurrection life for us also on condition that we crucify the personal self completely.
Can “the word of God” ever be entirety bound? It can be under a ban to the extent that men are forbidden to speak it aloud, but it cannot be bound in the mind and heart of the individual. He may speak it within himself at any time or in any place, thus healing his consciousness from the effects of adverse environment or circumstances.
March 16, 1952: II Timothy 2:1-5
Is grace a sign of strength or of weakness? It is a sign of strength. “The grace that is in Christ Jesus” gives strength of character. This was what Timothy was told to develop.
Is it desirable to plan for the future in matters of faith? It is not only desirable, it is imperative if faith is to be kept alive and given scope for growth in the heart of mankind.
In what respect is everyone who believes in the Christ a soldier? In the degree in which he is loyal to the Christ and gives himself to the expression of Truth, he is a soldier holding himself always ready to give full expression to Truth regardless of the consequences to himself. He owes and gives total allegiance to the ideal.
Can we regulate the effect of hardships on ourselves? We regulate it by our attitude toward hardship. We unfit ourselves for meeting hardship by complaints, self-pity, resentment, rash conduct, or reckless defiance. We fortify ourselves with inner strength by holding ourselves in the Spirit of the Christ.
Metaphysically Interpreting II Timothy 2:14-26
2:14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. 2:15Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. 2:16But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 2:17and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus; 2:18men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some. 2:19Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
2:20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 2:21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work. 2:22after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2:23But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. 2:24And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, 2:25in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, 2:26and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.
October 29, 1950: II Timothy 2:15
Can the right handling of the word of Truth be learned? Yes. The right handling is a study in itself. “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” Like any other subject, this one can be mastered by diligent study and consecration of heart and mind to its observance.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-11-2014
