2 Timothy 2:1-10

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Prayer for the Day

Lord of all nations, keep faithful pastors focused on proclaiming Christ for the salvation of the world, and help them not become entangled in civilian pursuits. Amen.

Paul encourages Timothy with some proverbs about life as a preacher of the Gospel. He compares him, first, to a soldier and reminds him that "no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits." What does that mean?

Work as a civilian comes with a lot of flexibility: sick days, freedom to disagree (to a certain extent) with your boss, and the option to give your notice and quit. No soldier on a battlefield has those options. Even more, a soldier may be required to sacrifice his life. Paul urges Timothy to remember that the mission of the Gospel is his primary vocation: don't get side tracked into the things of this world.

It is tempting for pastors, who are often good public speakers and care deeply about people, to get involved in earthly politics. To run for office, all to serve "the higher good." But it is not given to preachers to serve in that way. Let other Christians take up the mantle of public service. The pastor's job is to preach Christ and him crucified, for the forgiveness of sins and the giving of eternal life.

That is why Paul, not for the first or last time, urges Timothy to remember "Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel." This is the pursuit of the pastor: leave politics to faithful Christians who can take up that vocation for the sake of the world.