“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”- 2 Timothy 2:1-3

Background. Paul warns his young son in the faith, Timothy, of the difficulties of the ministry and urges him to be strong, in contrast to those who defected. Faithful men were to be selected and trained as leaders and teachers. Thus, personal discipleship was a vital part of Timothy’s leadership. Endure Hardness literally means to suffer affliction in order to be rewarded.

Introduction. Webster defines the word soldier simply as a person in military service, especially an enlisted man. The word for a soldier in the Greek is STRATIOTES and is used in the natural sense in Matthew 8:9; 27:27; 28:12; Mark 15:16; Luke 7:8; 23:26; six times in the Gospel of John; thirteen times in the Book of Acts; and not again in the New Testament in this sense. In 2 Timothy 2:3, it is used metaphorically of one who endures hardship in the cause of Christ.

Characteristics of a Good Soldier of Christ:

1. In person: strong spiritually through dependence upon the grace of God.
2. In public: effective in leadership, example, and in teaching others.
3. In persecution: able to endure to the end, preserve and press on in affliction.

A. The Good Soldier of Jesus Christ Must Keep the Fire of His Service Burning Bright. 2 Timothy 1:6,7 “ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up [keep in full flame] the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands [This refers to Timothy’s ordination]. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power [{Gr. Dunamis} this is the ability to accomplish whatever He wills us to accomplish. Note that it is from this Greek word dunamis that we get our English word dynamite.], and of love [{Gr. Agape} is volitional love], and of a sound mind [a disciplined mind].” 2 Timothy 1:13, 14 “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” (See also Ephesians 4:11-16; 5:18; 6:10-18).

B. The Good Soldier of Jesus Christ Trains Daily in the Use of His Armor and Weapons. 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study [The command to study means “give diligence and be zealous.” It involves a total effort of mind, emotion and will] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [literally means “cutting straight”] the word of truth.” The Apostle Paul appeals for efforts to be made to properly interpret the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God [{Gr. Theopneustos} literally “God-breathed”], and is profitable for doctrine [to tell one what to believe], for reproof [to tell one what is wrong], for correction [to tell one how to correct wrong], for instruction in righteousness [to tell one how to live]: That the man of God may be perfect [Gr. artios, "proficient, capable" is having everything needed to do what God wants], throughly furnished [“thoroughly equipped”] unto all good works.” God’s inspired Word, properly used and applied, provides all that we need for life and ministry.

C. The Good Soldier of Jesus Christ Must Keep Himself Pure. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 “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. 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. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

D. The Good Soldier of Jesus Christ Must Prepare For Persecution, and be Able to Endure It. 2 Timothy 3:10-12 “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (See also Acts 13:13 – 14:28).

E. The Good Soldier of Jesus Christ Must Fight the Good Fight to the Finish. 2 Timothy 4:7, 8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

May we all be found to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. When this mortal life is over, may we, like the Apostle Paul, be able to put the exclamation point of our lives in place with the words “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.