Note 32 at 2 Tim. 2:22: The word "lusts" is defined as, "Intense, excessive or unrestrained sexual desire; an overwhelming craving" (NAHD). It encompasses but is not limited to sexual sins. We can lust for food, or power, or fame. The Greek word "EPITHUMIA" from which "lusts" was translated means, "desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden" (Thayer).

Paul makes a point of telling Timothy to flee "youthful lusts." Most scholars believe Timothy was in his 30s at this time after spending around 15 years traveling with the Apostle Paul. What lusts are peculiar to or stronger in young people?

According to Solomon's wisdom in Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, youth goes for fun,"let thy heart cheer thee"; pleasures, "and walk in the ways of thine heart"; and things they can see,"the sight of thine eyes." While any person of any age can fall into these lusts, it seems to be more prevalent in young people.

As a person matures, other things become more important than having fun. Although people of all ages like to enjoy themselves, there can be great satisfaction in work and what can be accomplished. Young people find it hard to work because it's not always fun. The older a person gets, a sense of purpose, duty and faithfulness takes precedence over play.

Similarly, the young tend to seek pleasures more than their older counterparts. As a person grows older, he realizes that people who are obsessed with pleasure may fail. It takes hard work to be successful. Those who don't work hard because they are too busy enjoying themselves will come to poverty (Prov. 28:19). Lust for pleasures will choke God's Word out of our lives (Lk. 8:14). It is a sign of the end times that people will be lovers of pleasure more than they are lovers of God (2 Tim. 3:4).

Young people tend to be dominated with things they can see-temporal things. As a person matures, his values change, and he realizes that the things one can't see like love, friendship, honor, and integrity are the really important things in life.

Paul is commanding Timothy to grow up by being faithful to what God has called him, working hard, and placing his values on eternal things. The way a young man cleanses himself is through heeding God's Word (Ps. 119:9).

Note 33 at 2 Tim. 2:22: In the same way that the word "flee" in this verse isn't passive (see ref. a), so the word "follow" isn't passive either. The Greek word from which "follow" was translated is "DIOKO" which means, "to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after, to pursue" (Thayer).

Paul is telling Timothy that he has to pursue righteousness, faith, charity and peace; they don't come naturally. Our minds were corrupted through the old man and they will naturally tend towards condemnation, unbelief, hate and depression. If we do what comes naturally, this will be the result.

Note 34 at 2 Tim. 2:22: There are two types of righteousness (see note 2 at Rom. 10:3, p. 813). God's righteousness is a gift that we do not have to pursue. We must pursue the understanding of it, but in our spirits, we are already as righteous as we will ever be (see note 9 at 2 Cor. 5:17, p. 1005).

We should pursue an earthly, physical righteousness. This involves our actions which are inadequate when it comes to relating to God, but essential when it comes to relating to our fellow man. It takes effort to walk in integrity in every area of our actions.

Because our right standing with God is already accomplished, but our physical righteousness is a progressive thing, it must be this physical righteousness or our godly actions towards others that Paul is instructing Timothy to pursue (see note 6 at 1 Tim. 6:11, p. 1308).

Note 35 at 2 Tim. 2:22: Paul didn't tell Timothy to pursue these things on his own. He specifically said to pursue these things ". . .with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." We will not reach maturity on our own. We need the other members of the body of Christ to help us mature.

Those who don't go to church because they have their own relationship with the Lord and don't need anybody, are in violation of this scripture, as well as many others.

Note 36 at 2 Tim. 2:22: We must pursue these Christian virtues Paul listed in this verse, with other members of Christ's body (see note 35 at this v.), but we need to be selective about which believers we associate with. Paul said they need to be those who ". . .call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

This doesn't mean they are perfect believers. If you are looking for the perfect church, you will have a long wait, and if you find one, they won't let you join because you might ruin it. We won't find perfect Christians until we get to heaven, but we can and should find believers with pure hearts to join with in following the Lord.