A Second Look

Have you ever stopped to take a second look at something and noticed things that you have totally overlooked before? Taking a second look at something means looking at something from a fresh perspective, often with the intent of reconsidering the original impression or understanding of it. Sometimes looking a second time helps us see things that we never realized before.

Perhaps you have heard the term used like this:

• “After reading the contract carefully, the lawyer decided to take a second look at the information found in the fine print.
• The hiring manager took a second look at the candidate’s resume after realizing they had overlooked relevant information.
• When the artist took a second look at the painting, she noticed a small detail needed adjusting.

Taking a Second Look at Our Spiritual Journey

 At this point in time, let’s consider taking a “second look” at our spiritual journey. What were the circumstances when that journey started? Who was involved in helping you start your journey? What expectations did you have? How have things changed?

Paul wrote two letters to his young ministry partner, Timothy. In the second letter, it appears that Paul was asking Timothy to take a second look at his commitment to Christ and to the calling of Christian ministry. Circumstances had changed for Paul. Instead of traveling about the Mediterranean region, Paul found himself chained inside a Roman prison, expecting execution for his faith by the Roman state. The original leadership of the church was dying off. Persecution from Rome continued to increase.

Ministry would require intense commitment from Timothy, a man not known for his strength and aggressive behavior. Timothy needed to take a second look at the journey that would lie before him.

From time to time, it is important for us to take a second look at our spiritual journey. Are we where we expected to be? What should we do to get back to the right pace and on the right path? Today, let’s look at a passage of Scripture from 2 Timothy. Let’s see how Paul encouraged Timothy to craft that “second look” and over the next several lessons, let’s discover what Timothy saw during that second look.

The Scripture

Our passage in other versions

If you know Greek, view the passage in the Nestle’ text: 2 Timothy 1:3-8 Nestle Greek

The Second Look at Circumstances

For the last time in Scripture, 2 Timothy introduces us to the Apostle Paul and his younger protege Timothy. When we finish the letter, four short chapters later, we are never again given a glimpse of their ministries or lives. Paul is writing the letter from a prison cell in the catacombs of Rome. He is awaiting a trial but is certain the result will be his death. Timothy is still serving as Paul’s representative to the churches in Asia- particularly the church in Ephesus. Paul pleads with Timothy to come to Rome and requests a few items as well.

Timothy arrives in Rome before Paul’s death. He also finds himself imprisoned but soon released. Tradition has Timothy returning to Ephesus to provide the church their with strong leadership. Although the Apostle John appears to have also centered his final years around Ephesus, in reality he was in and out of prison exile. According to several accounts, Timothy was martyred in Ephesus by being stoned to death by an angry mom in its streets. During the pagan festival of Katagogian honoring the goddess Diana, Timothy began preaching the gospel in an attempt to stop some of the sinful sexual practices. The death seems to have likely been around the year 97.

The Changing Landscape of Faith

Paul knew the landscape of the Christian faith was changing. While there had always been Jewish persecution, the political machine of the Roman Empire was now turning its anger toward believers. Paul urged Timothy to take a second look at his commitment to ministry and to God. One of the main focal points of Paul’s words can be seen in verse eight of the first chapter: don’t be ashamed – of the gospel, of Jesus, or of those who have been imprisoned by Rome.

It is always important to take a second look at your commitment to God. Taking a second look at our faith allows time for self-reflection and introspection. It allows you to examine the areas of strength and to see where there are opportunities for growth. The time affords you the opportunity to renew your commitment and energy toward God and ministry.

Over the four chapters of the letter, Paul is going to encourage Timothy to take a second look at his hope, the truth of the gospel, his skills as a communicator, and God’s presence in the world and Timothy’s own life. Below find links to the next lessons.

The Conversation

The Conversation, Part Two

4) Taking a second look at our commitments offers a perfect time to set new goals for our faith and relationship to God. Paul tells the Ephesians to “redeem the time” – take advantage of the time and opportunities that are front of us (Ephesians 5:16 NIV).

The word for redeem is an interesting Greek word – exagoridzo (ἐξαγοραζόμενοι). The Greek word agoridzo denotes a marketplace cluttered with products. Vast opportunities for overspending budgets and wasting time abound. But that word ex means “out” and is where we get the word exit. When ex is added to the word agoridzo to form exagoridzo, it paints the picture of finding what you need, purchasing it, and getting out of the marketplace quickly. In other words, do what you need to do, and then make an exit! In your renewed commitments, what are some items that you need to accomplish – and what are some things that you need to leave out?

5) In the passage from 2 Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy. The gifts given by God need rekindling. Do you have gifts that you need to rekindle? How can you go about setting a new flame underneath them?