#2 timothy

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.   https://craigtowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/the-kings-currency.mp3 Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:3).  Dr. Henry Halley noted, “Perseverance here transcends the idea of bearing affliction; it includes the idea of…

Key ideas wrapped up in the phrase:

Faithful interpretation: Read passages in context (literary and historical), respect authorial intent, and avoid twisting texts to fit an agenda.

Clear teaching: Cut a straight path for listeners—explain plainly, distinguish essentials from non-essentials, and separate truth from error.

Proper application: Move from what the text meant then to what it means now, applying it in ways consistent with the gospel and the whole counsel of Scripture.

Doctrinal balance: Hold together complementary truths (e.g., grace and obedience) without overemphasizing one at the expense of the other.

Avoiding speculation and quarrels: In the surrounding verses (2:14, 16–18), Paul warns against “wrangling about words” and irreverent chatter—so “rightly dividing” includes steering clear of fruitless debates and keeping the focus on what edifies.

Background on the wording:

The underlying Greek verb (orthotomein) literally means “to cut straight.” It evokes making a straight road or cutting a straight line—an image for accuracy and directness. By extension, it calls the teacher to lay out Scripture in a straight, reliable way.

Can Vanity be Demonic? “…verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity…” – Psalm 39:5 “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 1:2 I can recall that a Canadian woman, many years ago, contacted me for prayer for deliverance. She was involved in the music industry, and, seeking to break in and become famous, she wanted to become more…

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. Check out the video content in this post by clicking here.  https://craigtowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/the-legacy-of-a-mothers-sincere-faith.mp3 “To be a mother is the greatest vocation in the world. No being has a position of such great power and influence.”…

[1] I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. [5] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. [6] For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.  https://craigtowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/what-kind-of-lover-are-you.mp3 In Paul’s second letter to his friend Timothy, he has quite a bit to say about love—really about two kinds of love.  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,…

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16 The Bible is unlike any other book in human history. It doesn’t simply contain God’s words — it is God’s Word, breathed out through ordinary people in extraordinary ways. And before we look…

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.  https://craigtowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/why-we-do-what-we-do.mp3 Charles Spurgeon said, “The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of the glorious temple of truth, the keystone of the arch of revelation.”  What we believe about the resurrection gives…