Continue the Pattern of Faithfulness

Paul picked up and reinforced his call for Timothy to join him in suffering for Jesus Christ. He elaborates by making the point that suffering will characterize the life of genuine believers.

Beginning this section Paul contrasts what Timothy had done in the church with what the false teachers had done. He gives Timothy the command to "continue" following Paul's pattern of faithfulness in life and ministry.

As Paul had identified characteristics of counterfeit believers in the church, in the same way he identifies the pattern for Timothy that should characterize him as a faithful minister of God's Word.

Paul drives home the need for Timothy, and all believers, to be faithful to the end. The end comes not with retirement, but when the work of the ministry is done and the Lord makes His ultimate and final rescue. Until then the believer must continue the pattern of faithfulness and dedication to the Lord and His work.