(2Ti 2:1) “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  This little verse is actually full of a great spiritual truth: no matter who you are, you have no spiritual strength in your own person, through your own force of will. “Grace” means “favor given but not deserved”. This spiritual strength making one strong comes from another source – the Holy Spirit Who lives within each of the truly saved. So, in order to “be strong” one must submit one’s self to Him!

(2Ti 1:14) “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”  The “good thing” is not the Gift of Salvation, but that which is to come “through” and “because” of the Gift of Salvation. The Holy Spirit empowers us to grow spiritually and to share that which is received. Thus, “keep” means “perform, do”. Don’t just sit there as one who is lost; seek to grow and share, truly saved brother/sister, else salvation has been wasted upon your soul!

(2Ti 1:13) “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”   Love born out of thankfulness for the sufferings Jesus endured for me on the cross, stirs my heart not only to faithfully search the pages of Scripture, but also to hold firmly to them! That love says to my heart, “Don’t let them go. Don’t waver from standing upon them for anyone – anyone!”  

(2Ti 1:13) “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”  “Sound” as if in “firm, solid”.  Every Word of the Bible can be trusted fully (thus ‘in faith”). You can trust “a soft answer turneth away wrath” to “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over”. It is all true. So, grab hold and practice it! 

(2Ti 1:12) “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”  Notice Paul’s mindset. He is not focused upon this world, else he would have bemoaned his situation. But his mind was focused by his faith in God’s promises. Paul died to this life knowing he would be rewarded with a fair better life in eternity! Should you and I do the same?

(2Ti 1:11) “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (12)  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed:”  Man must hear the news of Jesus’ death plus His resurrection. The saved must have the heart to suffer as He has suffered to keep others from going to hell. What have you done?

(2Ti 1:10) “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”   Through the Lord Jesus one “may” see that “life” and “immorality” can be theirs through Jesus’ death, His burial, and then…….His Resurrection. Friend, you need spiritual life that is given as a gift through turning from the sins you have committed which Jesus bore on the cross. Ask God’s forgiveness and He will give you life and that – “everlasting”. It’s the only to heaven and the escape of hell!

 (2Ti 1:10) “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”  Your mind might scoff at the phrase, “hath abolished death”. Oh, but soul of faith I remind you that the Word of God is always, always true. The Child of God walks through “the valley of the shadow of death”. We do not die, but live – first our soul and spirit wake immediately in the presence of God and later our bodies will be changed as they are resurrected, once again to become our home!

(2Ti 1:9) “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10)  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,…..”  God’s plan from eternity past was hid in the midst of Old Testament history, imagery, and prophecy. Man had gleaned bits and pieces, but the coming of God to earth in the person of Jesus brought the shadow to full daylight. Praise God for Jesus, the cross, and the resurrection!

(2 Tim 1:8b) “…..be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  (9)  Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”  The Lord did not look down through time and say, “Now, there is a righteous person, trying their best to do right.” No, He said, “There is a sinner in need of a Savior.” So, He determined to die in your place, bearing the punishment for your choices. He saved you for His Own purpose – so live for Him. He poured out His “grace”, unmerited favor, so walk humbly before Him and all others.