My Favorite Verses - Vol III (Aug 16 to Nov 16)
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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2 Timothy 2:24-25 … Guiding with Gentleness<br />
(11/02/20<strong>16</strong>)<br />
“And the Lord‟s servant must not be quarrelsome, but rather kind <strong>to</strong> everyone;<br />
an apt teacher -- patient; guiding opponents with gentleness.”<br />
~ unknown (2 Timothy 2:24-25)<br />
Even though Paul did not actually pen this letter*, 2 Timothy does contain<br />
quite a few of Paul‟s favorite ideologies – one of the most poignant of which<br />
being found in this particular passage; namely, the errantly arrogant belief that it<br />
is the responsibility of all Christians <strong>to</strong> guide non-Christians <strong>to</strong> redemption with<br />
words of criticism or correction; that it is every Christian‟s duty <strong>to</strong> thereby “make<br />
others right with God” or “bring others <strong>to</strong> salvation” or “save the Souls of<br />
sinners” by “guiding them back” <strong>to</strong> the traditionally accepted interpretations of<br />
the Scriptures &/or particular beliefs about God … And even though this passage<br />
encourages others <strong>to</strong> do so “with gentleness” while being “kind <strong>to</strong> everyone”, it<br />
is actually impossible (and indeed also a direct violation of The Way of Jesus Christ)<br />
for them <strong>to</strong> do so. For the teachings (indeed the entire Way, Truth, & Life) of Jesus<br />
made it very clear that Humility was the key <strong>to</strong> entering his “Kingdom of<br />
Heaven” (see Matthew 18:3-4); that we were not <strong>to</strong> raise ourselves up by judging<br />
others or putting them down (see Matthew 7:1-5 & Matthew 23:12); that it is indeed<br />
impossible <strong>to</strong> be Kind <strong>to</strong> anyone while harming them in any way – that it is<br />
impossible <strong>to</strong> openly bear the Good Fruit of Peace & Joy using methods that<br />
bring others pain &/or shame &/or anger &/or sadness … Indeed, quite unlike<br />
Paul, Jesus made it very clear that it<br />
was most often our wordless acts of<br />
Love that “guided” others, not our<br />
haughty words of critique or<br />
condemnation (see Matthew 22:36-40<br />
& Matthew 25:40 & John 13:15-17 et<br />
al); that the only way <strong>to</strong> avoid being<br />
“quarrelsome” was <strong>to</strong> be truly<br />
humble, and that the only way <strong>to</strong> be<br />
truly humble was <strong>to</strong> emulate the fully<br />
non-condemna<strong>to</strong>ry Way of Christ, not<br />
the critical un-way of Paul.<br />
*The Greek vocabulary and style of 2 Timothy diverges in many ways from the rest of Paul's genuine<br />
letters, 2 Timothy describes a his<strong>to</strong>rical situation marked by both the institutionalization of the church and a<br />
vibrant opposition there<strong>to</strong> – much more akin of the period of the church's his<strong>to</strong>ry that existed well after<br />
Paul's death, and 2 Timothy lacks all mention of a favored theme of Paul – the justification by faith – and<br />
seems <strong>to</strong> replace it with a focus not prevalent in Paul‟s authenticated letters (Christian piety being shown by<br />
adherence <strong>to</strong> tradition).<br />
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