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the "trial" of faith to the testing of gold (I Pet. 1: 7). Already, in I Cor. 3:, the apostle
had written at length regarding the "sure foundation" and the approval or disapproval of
the "work" and a comparison of this passage with II Tim. 2: will therefore be useful.
I Cor. 3: and 15:
II Tim. 2:
The foundation (19).
The foundation (3: 10, 11).
Gold, silver, wood, etc. (20).
Gold, silver, wood, etc. (3: 12).
The approval, dokimos (15).
The trial, dokimazo (3: 13).
Show (paristemi) the judgment seat (15).
Reward, or suffer loss (3: 14, 15).
Workman that need not be ashamed (15, 21).
Work abides (3: 13, 14).
The Lord knoweth them that are His (19).
He himself shall be saved (3: 15).
Resurrection misplaced (18).
Resurrection doubted (15: 12).
Most evidently the apostle intended to bring all the encouragement that he could to
bear upon Timothy to enable him to "stand" and for this purpose found nothing so
powerful as that which had ever been before his own eyes:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,
henceforth . . . . . a crown" (II Tim. 4: 7, 8).
Let us not be wise above what is written for there is still evident need for this
"warning and teaching", if servants of the Lord are to be "approved" in that day. We
have seen already that the word dokimos, "approved", is associated with the fiery trial of
both gold and faith, consequently all the allusions to suffering, persecution, affliction and
endurance with which this epistle abounds are focused upon this verse, this workman and
his work. We must reserve the consideration of the remainder of this verse for our next
article.
#21.
The Unashamed Workman, and Right Division (2: 15).
pp. 191 - 194
As a redeemed and justified sinner, Timothy could look forward without a tremor to
that future presentation which will result from the death of Christ, when he would be
"holy, unblameable and unreprovable". In II Tim. 2: 15, however, he is seen not so
much as a saved sinner, but as a responsible servant, and while nothing he did, or omitted
to do, could make any difference regarding his blessed hope; the question of the prize or
crown, of reigning or being denied, of being ashamed here or unashamed there, is raised
with Timothy in his capacity of workman. Ergates, "workman", means primarily a
labourer or artificer, the meaning being retained unchanged to-day. We find it in
Acts 19: 25 in association with such words as "silversmith" and "craftsman" (24);
"occupation" and "craft" (25); "made with hands" (26); and, if the Alexander of
verse 33 be the coppersmith, (a matter that must await proof), his appearance in
II Tim. 4: 14 is suggestive.