20160918 Sunday, September 18 2016
2 Timothy 02: Those Who Oppose Themselves

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And the servant of the LORD must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth"

There is a saying that sometimes people can "be their own worst enemy." The principle may apply to many things, but it surely applies to everyone before their conversion - as made possible by the Holy Spirit (see also Paul's Conversion In Syria and The Rising Of Tabitha and The Conversion Of The Roman Army Commanders).

Until then:

"8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:6-8 KJV)

But how can going one's own ways (see Which Way Is Right And Left?), rather than the LORD's Way (see Strait And Straight), make someone their own worst enemy? What's the big difference between man's way and God's Way?

"14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself." (Proverbs 14:11-14 KJV)

Notice the dual meaning of "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways" in verse 14 above (see also Backsliding The Way To The Top). While it obviously means that people with such a carnal attitude are so "full of themselves" that there is no room left for the right way, it also means that those who choose the way of death are "digging their own grave" while doing so (see The Shake The Dust From Your Feet Lessons).

The apostle Paul's teachings in this epistle included personal advice to Timothy - who, as Paul then knew (see The Prophecy Of Paul's Arrest), would pick up the baton and carry on when Paul had completed his part of the course.

"2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2:11 It is a faithful saying:

For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 1:1-13 KJV)

"Those that oppose themselves" also has a dual meaning as used in these verses. It means those who oppose the "themselves" of the LORD's servants, but moreover refers to the carnal-minded ones who "oppose themselves" with their self-destructive delusions.

Those who have been converted understand that true conversion is a matter of the Holy Spirit enabling it - at a time that is determined by God (see the Fact Finder question below).

Until then, going beyond the public teaching and preaching of the Truth to those "with the ears to hear" is a waste of precious time and energy. The LORD's servants must "strive not" and "shun profane and vain babblings" because they will, to those of a yet-carnal nature, "increase unto more ungodliness" because "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."

"2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:14-26 KJV)

Fact Finder: How and when does the opportunity for genuine conversion come - for everyone?
See The Harvests Of Salvation