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2 Timothy 2:1-13 (ESV)

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful--

for he cannot deny himself.

The first thing I want to note about this text [2 Timothy 2:1-13] is, it doesn’t apply to you! “What?” you say. “It doesn’t apply?” Yes, that’s right, this text from 2 Timothy does not apply to you. Not directly, that is. You see, Paul’s letter to Timothy is what we call a “Pastoral Epistle,” that is, it’s written specifically for pastors, in this case, from the Apostle Paul to his younger assistant, Timothy. He’s giving encouragement and instruction to Timothy for his work as Paul’s representative, overseeing the work in Paul’s absence. So this is a “Pastor to Pastor” sort of letter, not directly applicable to laypeople in every respect. But hold on, don’t worry, we’ll get there.

Let's go there now if we may:

All Scripture is profitable for training in righteousness

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1 Timothy 3:14-17(NASV)

Living on Every Word

3And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Matthew 4:3-4 (caps in original)

Now as a pastoral epistle, part of the encouragement that Paul gives Timothy is to be ready to “share in suffering” as a preacher of the gospel.

Sharing in Christ's Suffering

[I]n no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Phillipians 1:28-30

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.1 Peter 3:14-15(caps in original)

The words of Jesus

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master ' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also." John 15:18-20

The Great Commission

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Two questions

If all believers (pastors and laypeople) are called to share the Gospel and share in Christ's suffering as a result, in what way does the Word of God found Timothy 2:1-13 not apply to laypeople?

If a member of your Lutheran church, baptized at birth, came to you troubled over the assurance of his or her salvation, what would you tell that person about how he or she could be assured of salvation and on what Scripture would you base that measure of assurance? Peace, A.