Chapter 2:3-10
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” (verses 3-4)
What is Paul’s purpose in using the metaphor of a soldier in this passage?
Paul’s purpose is to show undivided devotion to Jesus – that we should have the dedication of a soldier in wartime for Jesus, undistracted by the woes of each day.
What do good soldiers do in the hardship of battle?
Good soldiers endure and suffer hardship but do not retreat from battle.
How can you relate to this role in your personal life?
How can you step up in the battle(s) you are fighting?
“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” (verse 5)
An athlete can’t win unless he plays by the rules of the game. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” How do “rules” make a game of football or basketball more fun, fair and exciting?
Rules keep a game from becoming crazy or chaotic and help make competition fun and fair.
How do the “sidelines of scripture” protect you and provide for a better game?
“Sidelines of Scripture” keep us closer to our best teammates (Jesus) and help us play the game with our best purpose.
“The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.” (verse 6)
What place does hard work have in your grace-filled walk with Christ?
God calls us to hard work, and He wants to bless us when we work hard for Him.
James says, “Without works, faith is dead.” What does this passage say to you about the connection between a farmer, an early harvest and working diligently in your faith?
Though we may believe in God, sometimes walking out our faith is hard work.
“Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (verse 7)
In John 16:13, Jesus said that “the Holy Spirit will guide you into truth”. What is the relationship among truth, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God?
When we read the Bible, the way the scripture is applied to our hearts to where we can understand truth is by the power of the Holy Spirit. He lives inside of us and brings to mind the truth of the gospel when we encounter different situations.
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel…” (verse 8)
Why was it important for Paul to remind his people that Jesus was a “descendant of David?” (Read II Samuel 7:12-13 – this is God speaking to David through Nathan the Prophet.)
God is answering the Davidic Promise/prophecy (that David would have someone in his lineage who will have a kingdom that endures forever) by Jesus being a descendant of King David.
Why was it of particular importance that Paul, specifically, testified that Jesus was raised from the dead? (Read I Corinthians 15:3-8)
If Jesus did not raise from the dead and was not seen risen by many, the Christian faith is dead. His death and resurrection is the heart and soul of the Gospel.
“For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” (verse 10)
Note also II Corinthians 11:24-27 – “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”
When Paul speaks of “suffering for the sake of the Gospel,” he knows suffering in the most extreme manner. In verse 10 of this chapter, he says he endures his suffering so that people may know Christ. Think about it. All of that suffering for others’ salvation. What is that communicating to you about serving others in a sacrificial way?
