Note 1 at 2 Tim. 2:1: The word "therefore" links Paul's instructions here with his previous statements in chapter one (see note 2 at Gal. 5:1, p. 1078). He had just spoken about the persecution he had endured (1 Tim. 5:15). So, Paul is telling Timothy, his son in the faith (see note 4 at 1 Tim. 1:2, p. 1262), to be strong through the grace of God so that he can persevere in the face of persecution and other hardships (v. 3).

Note 2 at 2 Tim. 2:1: Some people don't associate grace with being strong. They think grace is a weak, passive, spineless attribute. That is not the case at all. Grace in its simplest terms is God's supernatural ability available to us on and unearned, undeserved basis. This is God's DUNAMIS power (see note 5 at Acts 1:8, p. 573) and is anything but weak.

Our true strength is in trusting God's grace completely, not our own might (Zech. 4:6). More Christians have failed because of trusting in themselves, than have failed because of sin. Indeed, trust in self is the beginning of all sin. Adam and Eve's original sin could be characterized as a departure from total reliance on God to leaning on their own understanding (Pro. 3:5).

Any faithful and truly successful Christian has to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Note 3 at 2 Tim. 2:1: As explained in note 2 at this verse, Paul is instructing Timothy that his true strength is in total dependence on God's grace, not his own ability. However, many think that only those who have sinned greatly need to rely heavily on the grace of God. It's just the opposite that is true.

Certainly those who have what people call "big" sins in their lives need the grace of God. But so do "holy" people. The truth is that none of us are totally holy and in God's sight, sin is sin. The half brother of Jesus, the Apostle James, said it this way, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (Jas. 2:10). From God's viewpoint, which is the only correct viewpoint, we have all missed the mark.

Suppose different people were trying to jump 20 feet high. The greatest basketball star in the world may get closer than the overweight couch potato, but they would both fall short. If their lives depended on reaching that height, then they would both die. The one who missed by a few feet would be just as dead as the one who could barely get off the floor. That's the way it is with God's standard of perfection.

Those who live a relatively good life need the grace of God just as much as those who have lived terrible lives because we've all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Because good people tend to trust in their goodness, they find it harder to depend on God's grace than those who don't have any goodness to offer the Lord. So, in reality, dependence upon the grace of God is even more critical in the holy person's life.

Any Christian, regardless of his past or present, has to rely completely on the grace of God.