More than forty years ago, John Stott expounded the second epistle of Paul to Timothy, to emphasize the different aspects of a gospel-faithful ministry. Stott in his introduction says :
In each of these four chapters, the Apostle Paul seemed to emphasize the different aspects of Timothy's responsibility. In chapter 1, Timothy was told to guard the gospel. He was to protect it, pure and undefiled. In chapter 2, he was told to suffer for it. In chapter 3, he was told to continue in it, to abide in it, and not to deflect from it to the right hand or to the left. And in chapter 4, he was told to preach it, to make it known.[1]
Stott’s exposition is straightforward and marked with excellent observations and reflections. He sticks to the passage and brings out the essential meaning of the passage. At the end of his first address, while concluding his exposition of the first chapter, he summarizes as follows:
The gospel is good news of salvation. It was promised from eternity, was secured and purchased by Jesus Christ, and is now offered to friends. First, we must communicate it faithfully, we shall undoubtedly suffer for it. And when we suffer for it, we shall be tempted to trim it and to eliminate the elements that provoke opposition. So then, third, and above all, we must guard it against every possible corruption, keeping it pure whatever the cost. Guard it faithfully, spread it actively, suffer for it bravely - that is our threefold duty.[2]
Though given many years ago, this excellent exposition is still worth reading in our day and ministers would benefit by taking time to read these gospel meditations. At the end of the series, Stott outlines a gospel-centered ministry, from this epistle, as follows :
Guard it--the gospel is a treasure;
Suffer for it--the gospel is an offense to the people;
Continue in it --the gospel is profitable;
Proclaim it - the gospel is good news.[3]
It is a pity that the thing that is most missing in today's Evangelical churches is the biblical gospel. May the Lord foster biblically faithful and gospel-centered ministry in His church. It is hoped that these expositions would serve as an instrument for this purpose.
[1] Guard the Gospel: 2 Timothy 1, Urbana 1967
[2] Ibid
[3] Preach the Gospel: 2 Timothy 4, Urbana 1967
