Some well-meaning Christians make the mistake of using proof texts to prove a theological point without considering the context of the larger passage that the proof text comes from. It is important to keep in mind not only the larger point of the passage, but also the historical context that the author dealt with.
But going back to 2 Timothy 2:25, if we simply take it out of its context and present it, it would seem to be saying that God is the proactive actor and causer of our repentance, without regard to our will. In context, Paul is speaking of two people, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who are spreading false teachings of the resurrection of Christ. Paul wants these individuals to repent and come to their senses and is exhorting Timothy to ask God to enlighten them so they may escape the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26). Ultimately it is through God that this comes. But not deterministically. Hymenaeus and Philetus must accept the gift of God of their own volition.
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
(2 Timothy 3:2-9)
Notice, this is all done because of man’s own pride. Also notice it is these people themselves who are denying the power of godliness (vs 5). In vs 10-11, Paul congratulates Timothy that he “carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions [etc]” (2 Timothy 3:10-11). I would say it was an act of Timothy’s will to do these things.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Timothy himself had the responsibility to continue in these things. And vs 15 proves my point completely, that it is through the Holy Scriptures we are made wise for salvation through faith, not salvation unto faith. It is my contention that any form of determinism is not found in the Bible, even if it’s softened by calling it “compatibilism.”
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