Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 30

Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 8

2 Timothy 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. KJV

Continuing with his theme from the last two verses, Paul instructs Brother Timothy to be persistent in declaring the truth of the Word of God to those who have twisted it or turned it or torn it to their own destruction with these words next, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" (2 Timothy 2:25) (KJV). The English word 'meekness' is translated by the Greek word praotēs meaning gentleness; by implication humility: - meekness. The English word 'instructing' is translated by the Greek word paideuō meaning (as used here) to train up a child, that is, educate, instruct, learn, teach. The English phrase 'those that oppose themselves' is translated by the Greek word antidiatithemai (used this one time only in the entire New Testament)  meaning to set oneself opposite, that is, be disputatious (inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree: to be contentious. In other words, it was the will of God for Timothy and is the will of God for we true believers today to gently correct those who wrongly dispute the Word of God by instructing them or teaching them or educating them by the truth given to us from God the Holy Spirit. No brother or sister 'in Christ' knows everything concerning the truth of the Word of God, for we are all like kindergarteners when it comes to the Bible, therefore, we are to instruct only from what God the Holy Spirit has transferred, transmitted, and transplanted into our souls through diligent study and prayer over the Word of God, just as Paul just informed to Brother Timothy earlier in this very same Chapter with these words, "Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) (Modern King James Version).

If we are not this sort of hard working or hard laboring servant of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ within His Word, then we should not endeavor to teach or instruct anyone concerning the truth of God, for as it is written by the Psalmist King David if we are instructable, then God the Father will instruct us, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you, My eye shall be on you." (Psalms 32:8) (Modern King James Version). This Paul wanted Timothy and wants us today to do because it is possible that at anytime, God the Father will grant to those who oppose Him and His Word the ability or the power to repent. The English word 'repentance' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word metanoia it means (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): a change of mind. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning God granting repentance to those who oppose His Word, "Repentance, which they need as antecedent to the full knowledge (so the Greek for 'acknowledgment') of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), their minds being corrupted (2 Timothy 3:8), and their lives immoral. The cause of the spiritual ignorance which prompts such 'questions' is moral, having its seat in the will, not in the intellect (John 7:17). Therefore repentance is their first need. That, not man, but God alone can 'give' (Acts  5:31)." Paul wants Timothy and we true believers today to realize and understand that those who oppose the truth of the Word of God are still spiritually asleep and held captive by the devil's spiritual lies and need God the Father to grant them repentance, that they might be made alive from the dead, just as this same Apostle declared to the Ephesian believers with these words, "And He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:1-7) (Modern King James Version).

With this in mind, Paul now says this to Brother Timothy, "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:26) (KJV). The English phrase 'that they may recover themselves' is translated by the Greek word ananēphō which means to become sober again, that is, (figuratively) regain (one’s) senses: - recover self. The English word 'snare' is translated by the Greek word pagis meaning a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): - snare. The English phrase 'who are taken captive' is translated by the Greek word zōgreō meaning to take alive (make a prisoner of war), that is, (figuratively) to capture or ensnare: - take captive, catch. In other words, these people are held in spiritual captivity or prison by the devil trapped, tricked, and taken by him to do his bidding on the earth, therefore, it is our responsibility to continually give them the truth of the Gospel and of the entire Word of God praying for them to regain their senses and become sober from their spritual hangover. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concernig this verse, "And that they may recover themselves - 'awake.' The word which is rendered 'recover' in the text, and 'awake' in the margin - ananēpsōsin - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means, to become sober again, as from inebriation; to awake from a deep sleep, and then, to come to a right mind, as one does who is aroused from a state of inebriety, or from sleep. The representation in this part of the verse implies that, while under the influence of error, they were like a man intoxicated, or like one in deep slumber. From this state they were to be roused as one is from sleep, or as a man is recovered from the stupor and dullness of intoxication. Out of the snare of the devil - The snare which the devil has spread for them, and in which they have become entangled. There is a little confusion of metaphor here, since, in the first part of the verse, they are represented as asleep, or intoxicated; and, here, as taken in a snare. Yet the general idea is clear. In one part of the verse, the influence of error is represented as producing sleep, or stupor; in the other, as being taken in a snare, or net; and, in both, the idea is, that an effort was to be made that they might be rescued from this perilous condition. Who are taken captive by him at his will - 'alive.' The Greek word means, properly, to take alive; and then, to take captive, to win over Luke 5:10; and then, to ensnare, or seduce. Here it means that they had been ensnared by the arts of Satan 'unto his will;' that is, they were so influenced by him, that they complied with his will. Another interpretation of this passage should be mentioned here, by which it is proposed to avoid the incongruousness of the metaphor of 'awaking' one from a 'snare.' According to this, the reference is to an artifice of fowlers, to scatter seeds impregnated with some intoxicating drugs, intended to lay birds asleep, that they may draw the snare over them more securely. There can be no doubt that such arts were practiced, and it is possible that Paul may have alluded to it. Whatever is the allusion, the general idea is clear. It is an affecting representation of those who have fallen into error. They are in a deep slumber. They are as if under the fatal influence of some stupefying potion. They are like birds taken alive in this state, and at the mercy of the fowler. They will remain in this condition, unless they shall be roused by the mercy of God; and it is the business of the ministers of religion to carry to them that Gospel call, which God is accustomed to bless in showing them their danger. That message should be continually sounded in the ears of the sinner, with the prayer and the hope that God will make it the means of arousing him to seek His salvation."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…