Strong In Grace

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2Timothy 2:1

Scripture uses “grace” in two ways: The salvation given through Jesus Christ, and God’s provision of help in everyday life. In this verse the apostle uses it in the second way. He also said: “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.” 1   A man does not obtain grace by what he does, but by his understanding what he cannot obtain on his own.

The dependent follower of Christ gains all the grace he needs, a gift unmerited as well as unlimited. He cannot finish the race of life without God’s empowerment, and God will empower all who look only to Him. 2      Grace is located only in Christ Jesus and consists of having Christ as his life. This is a moment-by-moment perpetual process.

This admonition reemphasizes what Paul said in chapter one: “Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.” 3     To be “strong in the grace of Christ,” Timothy must cast off sloth and indifference, for the flesh is so sluggish that even those who are endued with marvelous gifts are found to slacken in the midst of their course if they are not frequently challenged.

He adds “in Christ Jesus” to show that the grace comes from Christ alone and no other. If you are not “strong in His grace,” it is not because you lack it; rather it is because you have not appropriated what He has given you.

¹  2 Corinthians 1:9

²  Philippians 3:7-10

³  2 Timothy 1:13

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