Author: Administrador

Payback — it’s one of the dominant themes in art and narrative. It springs from some place deep in our social sensibilities. The consequences of certain kinds of behavior, we believe, are fully warranted. Some actions deserve reward, while others bring retribution. Payback is part of how we comprehend justice, whether actual or poetic. Many … Continue reading “2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Commentary by Matt Skinner”

In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul employs the sacrificial metaphor of a drink offering to refer to his lifetime of faithful, gospel ministry. Observing the context here is crucial. Looking back to the prior verse (v.5) Paul exhorts Timothy to “always be sober-minded, endure suffering, [and to] do the work of an evangelist” which will fulfill … Continue reading “2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Commentary by John Frederick”

Tradition is, of course, very important in many church communities — perhaps in all, even if “tradition” can have various meanings. “We have always done it this way” can mean anything from the worship of the early church to what a congregation has done for just the past twenty years. The writer to this particular … Continue reading “2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Commentary by Dirk G. Lange”

If you’re just joining us now for this, the third of four Sundays devoted to Second Timothy, here’s what you’ve missed so far: Timothy must persevere in the faith and teach others to do likewise by passing along the instruction he has received. What is his example for remaining steadfast despite the threat of persecution … Continue reading “2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Commentary by Matt Skinner”

In this passage, Paul reminds Timothy of the sacred writings with which he was familiar since his youth and which are able to make him wise for salvation “through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). In this context, the primary referent of “the sacred writings” is the Old Testament. The New Testament was still … Continue reading “2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Commentary by John Frederick”

“Remember Jesus Christ!” This is quite a command. And we are certainly in for a surprise if we think that remembering is simply “calling to mind” or looking at a painting of Jesus or contemplating a cross in our sanctuaries. It also will not be particularly helpful if we attempt to image what this “remembering” … Continue reading “2 Timothy 2:8-15 Commentary by Dirk G. Lange”

If Timothy hasn’t yet figured out that success in his ministry isn’t predicated on his creativity and insight, this part of the letter might fix that. So far, the letter has exhorted Timothy to learn from Paul’s example in suffering (see the commentary on last Sunday’s reading), from others in their faithfulness or lack of … Continue reading “2 Timothy 2:8-15 Commentary by Matt Skinner”

Paul begins and ends this passage with Jesus Christ. This bookending structure illuminates a central component to the argument that is threaded through chapter 2 of 2 Timothy. That thread is, of course, Jesus Christ. Jesus — though mentioned explicitly in verse 8 — is not mentioned by name in verse 15. Thus, it is … Continue reading “2 Timothy 2:8-15 Commentary by John Frederick”

2 Timothy belongs to the biblical genre of the “testament,” the last words of a hero of the faith who is facing death. Elsewhere in the Bible, Jacob blesses his heirs through the last chapters of Genesis; Moses uses most of Deuteronomy to recapitulate his experiences leading Israel; David has a brief deathbed oracle in … Continue reading “2 Timothy 1:1-14 Commentary by A.K.M. Adam”

Sometimes we’re especially interested in people’s final words.  We often expect wisdom and special insight from those preparing to die, so our lives might be richer for what we learn from their perspective. Examples from modern literature may come to mind (recent bestsellers such as The Last Lecture, Tuesdays with Morrie, and the novel Gilead), … Continue reading “2 Timothy 1:1-14 Commentary by Matt Skinner”