In our last two posts we embarked into 2 Timothy 2 and how to be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ. Then we left off with the first example: “The Soldier”.Today let’s continue to look into the apostle Paul’s examples for being a disciple. Personally I want to be as best a follower as I can for Jesus. Therefore, these examples help me enormously. The Spirit allowed us some imprints to compare to, and He is using Paul to explain the different functions we must resemble as we walk the spirit-filled christian life: The Soldier; The Athlete; The Farmer; The Christ; The Worker; The Vessel; The Slave.
Let’s meet the “Athlete” in 2 Timothy 2.5– “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” The phrase, “strive for masteries” is ‘athleo’ where we get our word for athletic competition. It’s not quite like high school athletics, but more like the olympic games, specifically the Isthmian games in Corinth. Athleo expresses not the athlete nor the competition, but the effort and determination needed to compete. You see it’s a pictorial of our relentless pursuit for souls and to be a disciple. To be very clear: no one who cheats gets a crown. If you do not strive, compete lawfully, you get nothing! Dear loved ones, remember this as long as you live, spiritual victory has no shortcuts.
Next, let’s meet the “Farmer” from verses 6-7– “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” A farmer that works hard, laboureth. It is not easy work… it is steady, back breaking work! We are not talking about tractors with plows and automated milkers, it was much more laborious at the time of Paul’s writing. Focus for a moment at a uniquely KJV thing: the “th” ending for work or labour. This indicates a continual action. So where this is attached it brings with it the idea of something you are actively doing and will be so continually. It is not something you ‘used to do’ or ‘will do one day again’, but actively doing, continually. Just because it isn’t seeding or harvest time, doesn’t mean the farmer isn’t working. He works continually on many parts of the whole. The word “laboureth” is kopiaó which means, “to labor to the point of exhaustion”. The intense efforts put forth by the farmer awards him the blessing of being the first one to taste the sweet fruit of his labor. Thus Paul said, “first partaker.” Timothy is told to “consider” (careful deep focus) what is being said here. This is significant language. He’s telling Timothy to pay attention! In doing so you will gain what others do not have: “understanding”. Understanding in the New Testament means a putting together of information in the mind. It’s practical discernment. Paul said deep focus on what he just said is something that enables one to ‘connect the dots’. It’s spiritual discernment.
Each and every one of these examples so far have explained two simple facts: this isn’t easy; and there is only one way to do it. Being a disciple then is not something you can afford to coast at. It is not pew sitting. It is not taking it easy. It is not coming and going as you please. At least, it’s this way for the one who would please Christ. The true disciple of Jesus is one who is willing to pay a price. The price is a loss of self. Both the Athlete and the Farmer have to stay diligent or lose it all. It is essential they stay vigilant. For without their constant striving for better outcomes on the track and in the field, all may be lost. Of course, Paul is speaking of one who is to be a rightful follower of Jesus Christ. This is a person who has chosen to dedicate themselves to the work of Christ. This is one who is truly living the spirit-filled life. Take some time and think on the Athlete and the Farmer. God did not make a mistake bringing these to our attention. Meditate on it, let it marinate. And may God bless you in your study.
Next post we will focus on the next example, the prime example: The Christ.