“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel… It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him” (KJV, 2 Tim. 2:7-8, 11).
“Consider what I say”
Paul was speaking to His young protégé Timothy. Timothy was commanded by his father in the faith to consider what he was about to read. As a result, Timothy was not supposed to simply read Paul’s letter. Instead, Timothy was to reflect on what Paul was saying and contemplate his words.
The Greek word translated as consider is noieo which carries the meaning of comprehending and understanding. Thus, Timothy was to pay close attention to what Paul would say and not be satisfied until He understood Paul’s words.
“and the Lord give thee understanding in all things”
While Timothy was to understand what Paul was writing, Paul was still aware of Timothy’s need for Jesus’ help. As a result, Paul quickly devoted the matter to prayer, as should the Christian who desires to understand the Word of God.
Developing an understanding of God’s Word should never be conducted with a self-confident approach. Instead, the Christian must learn to be dependent upon God. The Bible has much to say about the topic of understanding, and studying what the Bible has to say on the matter will produce much fruit.
A key passage is found in 1 Corinthians 2. The chapter starts with Paul declaring that he did not come to the Corinthians with lofty worldly speech and the world’s wisdom. Instead, Paul preached about Jesus, and Him crucified. Then, again, in verse 4, Paul says that He did not speak with man’s wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit.
Then Paul contrasts the world’s wisdom with the wisdom of God and says that He does speak in the wisdom of God. However, he speaks of the rulers of this world not knowing the wisdom of God, for if they did, they would not have known Jesus. Shortly after, Paul touches upon the revelation of God and says, “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10). Thus, the deep things of God are revealed to man by the Spirit of God.
Then Paul goes into a helpful illustration and says, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:11). Simply put, the only one who can know a man’s mind is the man himself. As a result, the man must reveal his mind for it to be truly understood. Similarly, nobody can know the mind of God but God Himself.
But God does not leave man to himself. Paul says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God” (1 Cor. 2:12). God has given His Spirit to man so that man could know the mind of God.
The mind of God can be read in the Word of God. Still, without the Spirit of God, man cannot truly comprehend it, for the Bible says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:15). Man needs the Spirit of God to understand the Word of God. Then Paul gives his encouraging words, “…But we have the mind of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:16).
“Remember”
Again Timothy is directed to the use of his mind regarding spiritual matters. The mind must be brought under control by the Christian. It will do the Christian no good to be outwardly holy while inwardly, he is a whitewashed tomb. The Pharisees were condemned for their lack of holiness within. So will the Christian find that his works will burn with fire on the Day of Judgment if he does not take the commands seriously to mortify inward sins.
Timothy was told to remember. The Christian would be wise to remember the words of Paul that follow.
“that Jesus Christ of the seed of David”
First, Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus Christ was of the seed of David. His statement bears more than informational significance. Christ is King, the long-awaited Messiah King. He has fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Davidic covenant. However, His kingship demands allegiance. Thus, the Christian must continuously worship Christ as King, not only when he just so happens to stumble on a passage that declares it.
“was raised from the dead”
Next, Christ is the Messiah King, Who has been raised from the dead. The resurrection for Paul was not simply a matter of remembrance come Easter. This does not mean there should not be special celebrations when the anniversary arrives, but it does mean that the Christian must always rejoice in the resurrected Christ.
Christ was raised from the dead, and the resurrection is a staple of human history. The prophets predicted it, Jesus foretold it, the Father ensured it, and the disciples proclaimed it. Jesus has risen.
“according to my gospeI”
The resurrection of Christ is not a secondary matter of Christianity. There are matters that Christians can differ on and still be Christian. For instance, Christians can differ in their beliefs concerning spiritual gifts and still be Christian. Yet again, Christians can differ in their opinion concerning church government and still be Christian. However, the resurrection of Christ is bound to the Gospel. Therefore, someone must believe that Christ has risen from the dead. Scripture says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9)
“It is a faithful saying”
Shortly after, Paul tells of a faithful saying. Thus, what Paul would say next could be relied upon. What he would soon say he had said before in many different ways, but the point is clear.
“For if we be dead with him”
The Christian has been united with Jesus in His death and the resurrection. Paul has said, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3). Elsewhere Paul states, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” (2 Cor. 5:14). When the Christian believes in Christ as the Risen Lord, the Holy Spirit baptizes him into Christ. Thus, the believer is identified with Christ in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
“we shall also live with him”
As a result, Paul could draw his conclusion. When someone has truly died with Christ, he can know that he will also live with Christ. Paul has stated in Romans, “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” (Rom. 6:8). Back in 2 Corinthians, one can read, “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15). Jesus Christ has risen from the dead so the believer can live with Him now and forever.
The rising Christian is not only a future event but a present reality. As Christ, the Lord, has risen from the dead, so the Christian has risen with Him and is seated with Him in the heavenly places.
It is a trustworthy saying, “The one who has died with Christ will also live with Him.”
Final prayer
Father, I pray that You would help me to remember the resurrection, that King Jesus has risen from the dead and defeated death. He has conquered the grave and won the victory. I have been united with Him, and He with me. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.