Papyrus 46, within two generations of Jesus, lists this 2 Timothy 2 as part of the pages, but it's missing. It's interesting Papyrus 46 survived 1900 centuries in remarkable, miraculous condition. Interesting - very - Papyrus 46 shows larger handwriting when Paul speaks of Paul's larger signature. The art is sometimes beautiful when the titles change and there are florid swirls just to be pretty. Personality!
This 3535b is 1st or 2nd Century A.D.,still remarkable at this age, and the handwriting is far more relaxed. Where as Papyrus 46 is profoundly scholarly and perfect. The 1st Century saw Christianity widespread and accepted, the 1st Century needed to be precise to be clear.
2 Timothy 2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue
righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
The Word of God Stands
When my cousin Maxine died at age 94, she had 23 strokes removing her short term memory and a lot of her long term memory. At her funeral, she had been in the Memory Ward for 12 years. We asked her Pastor, who had been appointed in the interim during these away years, why Maxine had suffered and why God would want or work these years. And instead of quoting 2 Timothy 2, he said he would personally take on the challenge to think about these years. This man of God stood in the rain to give a eulogy for a member of his flock he had never met. He started by saying Maxine had joined his church, way back about 1917 and here was 2010. (Maxine was Methodist and in a Methodist facility.)
The Eulogy said that in Genesis, God's Spirit hovers over the water. His presence is there. In life, the presence of God gives proof to His children even in mist. God is at work, even unseen.
We thought about who we are when we arrive in Heaven, in 2008, when our stillborn daughter, Isabelle, arrived in Heaven, smiling to see Jesus Christ the Lord.
When we arrive in front of Jesus in our Homecoming, we will give account of our choices we made to become who we are.
The Homecoming, of course is - we died with Him,
we will also live with Him.
We will be confessing the name of Christ Jesus as Lord for His grace. Adopted into the Family of God for only what Jesus did for us, for Love.
We have been entrusted with the Gospel and have worked to ensure the people around us have been reliably given Love, Mercy, Grace and Truth in Jesus.
We will be talking with Jesus about our suffering, like He had.
In Jesus, we will receive a victor’s crown for competing according to the rules. Jesus came to fulfill the Law.
We will be talking about our talents and gifts like a hardworking farmer holy, and being useful to our Father God and prepared to do good work.
In Jesus! We will present ourselves confidently in front of God, present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.
We will know who we are.
The insight is our souls have thoughts, memories and are rather more important than a brain. We put so much emphasis in our brains in this life.
I prayed recently, and for a couple of years where I volunteer, and in our healing group at HopePointe Church - for a loved one with an injured brain. A few weeks ago I was speaking with my friend Dee and I said - why don't we pray for the brain to be powered by the soul - fed by the soul. And we began to see results. The loved one has returned to being more the essence of the soul. Father Francis MacNutt, says by video, when we have healings, people have anxiety like a new born colt. For a few days the healed person tries out new limbs, seeing if the healing has taken, i.e. if the healing is permanent. We would think that if we have any doubt, the faith required for a healing would fall to ashes. Instead - God has blessed us and as a mother horse with a foul looks with love to see the progress of the process. Just identically, Jesus had compassion on the father who had faith and cried out for more.
What else would we compare the soul feeding and directing us?
Daniel 1:9
Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel
Luke 24:32
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Wouldn't we want God to feed us insight in wisdom. Once we have accepted God to dwell within us - surely the possibilities are limitless.
When...
we call on the Lord out of a pure heart - earnestly, confidently seeking His Will.
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Father God, You are the One who is Good. Your plans for us are for Good. We trust You. Remember us as You would want us to act, guide us and lead us in Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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