1-2 Timothy, Titus

106 2 Timothy 2 Manly Men The chapter break between 2 Tim 1 and 2 does not indicate a distinct change in the topic, which continues to concentrate on the ideals of masculinity. The break signals instead a shift in “Paul’s” focus: he turns from discussing his own situation and the help of the excellent Onesiphorus to addressing “Timothy” directly, giving him additional examples of how the younger man ought to behave. As before, there are good masculine examples to follow that will bring the honorable reward of salvation and bad ones to avoid that result in shameful infirmity and ruinous strife. Re-emphasizing the father-son relationship between the two men (“my child”), the command in 2 Tim 2:1 upholds the masculine standard of strength-under-pressure. Verse 2 sketches the legitimate lineage of Paul the teacher: he taught Timothy, who now ought to teach other men, who will in turn continue to teach Paul’s teaching.1 The Mishnaic text, Pirkei Avot 1, describes a similar but much longer process of the patrilineal transmission of authorized teachings, beginning with Moses and proceeding through Joshua, the elders, the prophets, and “the men of the 1. The verb translated “entrust” (παρατίθημι) is related to the legal vocabulary of “deposit” found in 1 Tim 6:20 and 2 Tim 1:12, 14. See above, “Translation Matters: ‘What Has Been Entrusted,’” p. 96. 2 Timothy 2 107 great assembly.” Later teachers are named as passing on the tradition down to Rabbi Shimon (first century CE), the son of Gamaliel. This is the kind of process of transmission of Paul’s teachings envisioned within the Pastorals. Although the author does not name any male teacher except for Paul and Timothy—and, of course, we do not even know his own name—he certainly thinks of himself in reality as standing in an early and authoritative position of reception. One other difference between Pirkei Avot and 2 Timothy is that the rabbinic text tends to portray the lineage as a straight line, moving from one generation to another. The New Testament image is more like a tree, with Paul and Timothy near the roots and the trunk and other male church leaders representing different branches. What should not be forgotten is that in both texts these valuable teachings are inherited, passed along, and preserved by men, but not women. Three male characters—soldier, athlete, and farmer—are set up as models for Timothy to follow. These also appear in 1 Corinthians, a letter known to be written by Paul himself: the soldier (1 Cor 9:7; also, Phlm 2); the athlete (1 Cor 9:24-27); and the agricultural worker (1 Cor 3:6-8; 9:7, 10). The soldier appears to represent endurance of rough conditions as well as the single-minded devotion that a “good soldier of Christ” that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. 1 You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; 2 and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. 3 Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs ; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. 5 And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. 6 It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David— 2 Tim 2:1-13 [3.17.154.171] Project MUSE (2024-04-24 07:17 GMT) 108 1–2 Timothy, Titus ought to display. The athlete understands the self-discipline that...