Three Types of People

Aim: To ardently press forward by zealously holding onto what we already possess (in Christ).

Doctrine: Faithfulness is encouraged in churchmen through good and bad examples. This is God's typical teaching method; this means proves to be effective in believers.

Exegesis: Paul's classification of three types of people: Timothy, who represents those with great responsibility (vv. 13-14); Phygellus & Hermogenes-types who desert the cause when things get tough (v. 15); Onesiphorus, who exemplifies those who are loyal through thick and thin (vv. 16-18).

Further application: How believers are to persevere in faithfulness to Christ: by constantly re-affirming the church's cardinal doctrines, and by fiercely guarding the good deposit made in us (by God).

Key verse: v. 13 ''Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.''