Page 6 - April 2026 - Truth & Tidings

apoleon Bonaparte is reported Timothy saw the soldier, he was to carry
to have said, “A good sketch is on through hardships and avoid distrac-
Nbetter than a long speech.” The tions by remembering his allegiance to
godless corporal confirmed what the Christ Jesus.
God-fearing apostle Paul, with few words
left to write, was led to do by the Spirit of Athlete (v5)
God when he took up his pen and con- Athletics were part of the social fabric
veyed seven meaningful illustrations in of ancient Greek and Roman culture. Paul
one chapter. Paul desired that Timothy’s asks Timothy to contemplate the athlete.
everyday interactions would constantly There are rules to the game that they play.
remind him of the lessons these seven Failure to follow the rules results in dis-
sketches taught about the man of God. An qualification. When Timothy saw the ath-
examination of the illustrations in 2 Timo- lete, he should remember to be disciplined
thy 2 will show us the enduring insights in following God’s ways, with a future
that Paul wanted Timothy, a transmitter reward in mind. God likewise expects us
of truth, to remember. to follow the guidelines He left for us in
His Word in order to receive a reward.
Good Soldier (vv3-4)

A Roman soldier was a common sight Farmer (v6)
across the empire. When Timothy saw a On his travels through the countryside,
Roman soldier, Paul wanted him to think Timothy would observe farmers with their
about “enduring hardness,” because his crops. Producing a crop requires a farm-
calling was higher and his experience er’s hard work. Paul wants Timothy to be
would be similar. Paul uses this phrase reminded that being a hard worker in the
three times in the epistle (2:3,9; 4:5) as things of God means fruit will result, and
he considers the result of backlash from he is to first partake of the fruits. The fruits
proclaiming and associating with the are spiritual, not monetary. Obligatory
gospel (1:8,12; 2:3; 4:5). The soldier could remuneration to a preacher is not what
be subject to poor conditions and hard God has in mind. Hard spiritual work
labour, but must carry on for the cause produces spiritual gain. Timothy must
of the empire. A distracted soldier might consume the spiritual results of his labour
think of pleasures back home and the first and not just bring it to others. The
comfort he was missing, but an effective man of God, concerned here with feeding
soldier must not be “entangled … with the the flock and service for God, must enjoy
affairs of this life.” Instead, he must carry and grow on the ministry he provides for
on, focused on the task at hand. What others, like a farmer who keeps the grain
was the motivation? To “please him who he needs for himself before he sells the rest
hath chosen him to be a soldier.” When for the benefit of others.
1
Workman (v15)
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
unless otherwise noted. Paul next moves to the image of the

102 TRUTH kTidings April 2026