SOUNDING OUT:
Seven Exhortations for a Faithful Minister

  In II Timothy 2 the believer who commits himself to faithful ministry is presented in seven characters. He is called a son (verse 1), a soldier (verse 2), an athlete (verse 3), a husbandman (verse 6), a workman (verse 15), and a servant (verse 24). These characters are presented for the purpose of comparison. Each believer, who aspires to faithful ministry service, (although he may not actually ply the trades which are noted), will find that taking on the characteristics which these roles suggest will benefit his ministry service.

  With each of these characters there is a well-suited exhortation. As a son the exhortation is to be strong in grace. As a soldier the exhortation is to endure hardness and avoid worldly entanglements. As an athlete the exhortation is to strive lawfully. As a husbandman the exhortation is to partake of the fruits. As a workman the exhortation is to study to show himself approved unto God unashamedly rightly dividing the Word of Truth. As a vessel the exhortation is to be cleansed and separated for the master’s use. As a servant the exhortation is to be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, meek.

  God encourages the faithful minister to use these comparisons to develop himself in faithful service to God. Timothy was not Paul’s son physically, but he was his son spiritually. Paul had “fathered” Timothy in the Word and taught him as his true child. (See also II Timothy 1:2.) The first requirement is to be strong in grace. A true son is one who remembers that it is by grace that he has been called to minister. If he does then he will commit the same things he had heard among many witnesses, to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

  The second exhortation is to endure hardness as a good soldier of the lord Jesus Christ. A soldier does not entangle himself with the affairs of life. He does not seek his own pleasure, but he seeks to please Him who had drafted him into military service.

  The third exhortation is to an athlete who must strive lawfully. As an athlete we compete lawfully, like runners staying in their lane. We are to strive to develop ourselves to be the absolute best we can be. However, we must follow the rules or we will be rejected from the competition and forfeit the rewards we could have won.

  The fourth exhortation is to the husbandman who must partake of the fruit. The farmer knows the grain is ripe for harvest because he first partakes. We apply God’s Word to ourselves first and enjoy the benefits that result. Then we offer it to others. Only as we apply the Word will we build understanding in our hearts. After we have successfully cultivated the Word of God in our hearts, then we may begin to plant and water it in the hearts of others. Still, it is God that gives the increase, the understanding of verse 7.

  The fifth exhortation to the workman is to study to show himself approved unto God. We must get busy rightly dividing the Word of Truth. When we do, we will not be ashamed. The Bible is the Word of Truth, but we do not get to it unless we rightly divide it. That takes work, and we must be strong workmen.

  The sixth exhortation to the man as a vessel is to be prepared for the master’s use. We should be honorable and sanctified. We must flee the youthful lusts (verse 22) and follow after righteousness, faith, charity, and peace which spring from a pure heart. As faithful ministers we keep life as simple as we can, and we keep God first in the priority of our lives. His will is of utmost importance, and we prepare to do His good and acceptable and perfect will. Then the good works follow because they are ordained of God.

  The seventh exhortation to the servant of the Lord is to not strive but be gentle, apt to teach, instructing in meekness. The servant here is a doulos, a bondslave of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we commit to the lifestyle of service we will find plenty of opportunities to serve.

  Faithful ministers continue to grow and be strong in grace. These seven characteristics should be seen in our lives as we grow in the calling of God. Let’s be sons, strong in grace. Let’s be soldiers, strong to fight. Let’s be athletes, strong to compete. Let’s be husbandmen, strong to cultivate. Let’s be workman, strong to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Let’s be vessels, strong and meet for the master’s use. Let’s be bondslaves of the Lord Jesus Christ, strong in our fervor to do His will.

  Life becomes full and rich as it is lived according to God’s precepts in His service. Let’s enjoy our privilege to be faithful ministers and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Father God and His son our lord and savior Jesus Christ.