S – Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his,^, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness. 

2 Timothy 2:19 CSB

O – Commentary:

God’s solid foundation (i.e., the church; cf. 1 Cor. 3:10–15; Eph. 2:19–22; 1 Tim. 3:15) stands firm, with two inscriptions as a “seal” to indicate the structure’s authenticity and integrity (cf. Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 9:2). The first is a reference to the rebellion of Korah in which the Lord differentiated between the true and the false (Num. 16:5; cf. Jude 11). The second inscription is possibly a loose reference to Numbers 16:26 or more likely some other Old Testament passage such as Isaiah 52:11. The two inscriptions emphasize respectively both God’s sovereign control over the church and every Christian’s responsibility to turn away from evil. Thus Timothy did not need to fear for the destiny of God’s work, but he was to make every effort to keep himself free from the contamination of the false teachers.

 A. Duane Litfin, “2 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 755.

A – Good application for us today.  There are some who are going to come and go in our Christian walk.  God’s church will not be deterred because the foundation is secure in Christ’s life, death and resurrection.  We must be diligent to ensure we are not swayed by false teaching or philosophies contrary to God’s word.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the truth, way and the life.  Grow our faith to trust in the foundation of Jesus Christ even more today.  Help us to know your Word to discern what is from you and what is not.  We want to grow more in our relationship with you.