Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.34075/sb.60.3.4
Lesson to the Servants of the Word in 2 TIM 1,6-14
Miljenka Grgić
orcid.org/0000-0002-3608-6761
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Abstract
The study explores Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 2 Tim 1,6-14 as a practical lesson to the servants of the Word. The first part of the study (1.) examines the literary setting, structure and rhetoric of 2 Tim 1,6-14, it detects the reasons which make the exhortation compelling, and it deduces practical lessons for the formulation of the exhortation to the servants of the Word: it has to be placed in the servants’ life setting (1.1.), based upon a detailed exposition (1.2.) and contain salvific facts which influence the entire personality of the servants (1.3.). The second part of the study (2.) observes the figure of Timothy and shows that he, as Paul’s successor in a unique service, is given as a model of the servants of the Word, not the church leaders (2.1.). The analysis of Paul’s reminder to Timothy in 2 Tim 1,6-8 discloses the fundamental characteristic of the authentic servant of the Word, which distinguishes him from the formal servant and is evident only in the situation of the proclamation of the contested Word. The authentic servant has a charisma from God, so he follows the dynamic of the Word and exposes himself on behalf of the contested Word for the salvation of others (2.2.2.). The formal servant does not have the charisma, so he follows the human logic and holds back the contested Word (2.2.1.). The conclusion of the study summarizes the results and points out the importance of the ecclesiastic recognition of the charisma of the Word, which can be articulated in various ways, formal and informal.
Keywords
2 Tim 1,6-14, exhortation, servant of the Word, charisma, Spirit, imposition of the hands
Hrčak ID:
242867
URI
Publication date:
1.9.2020.
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