2 Timothy 22ti 2

Defection was the order of the day (see ch. 1:15). In view of such, as of the general state of things, Timothy was to be "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." The Apostle now takes up the case of a soldier, an athlete, and a husbandman. He must not be entangled with the affairs of this life, but be entirely at the disposal of Him who had called him to be a soldier. Striving in the games, he must do so lawfully, and laboring first, be a partaker of the fruits of it.
Paul's gospel and Paul's doctrine are positive things for the last days. We are walking and laboring in the midst of an immense network of systems in which Paul's ministry is totally unknown. For it he suffered as an evildoer unto bonds. How like to Christ's own words are those of the Apostle Paul in verse 10 of chapter 2! "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
We now get corruption of doctrine (ch. 2:16, etc.). There had been falling away. Thus individual responsibility (coupled with God's faithful knowledge of His own) was to depart from iniquity (v. 19). In verse 20 we have ecclesiastical apprehension.
Supposing a person says, "I do not see that so and so is wrong," when Scripture forbids it, those walking in the truth cannot allow this. You cannot take the conscience of the individual for the rule of the Church. Scripture is its guide. Thus we have to walk with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. At the beginning of Christianity we did not find this expression. It was more general then: "All that... call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." Now it is "all that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." The Church should have been the witness for the glory of Christ on high, but is now mixed up with all that witnesses against Him here below.
In chapter 2:24, "patient" should be "bearing evil" (JND). "In meekness instructing those that oppose,” that they might be recovered to God's will from the snare of the devil.