2 Timothy
Background
After being released from his first imprisonment in Rome, we have seen that Paul made a journey to Crete where Titus was left in charge of organizing the churches there. He also journeyed to Ephesus where Timothy was left in charge of the churches in that region. He may also have made a journey to Spain, as he had hoped to, but this is not confirmed in Scripture. We do know from his second letter to Timothy that at some time during his travels he stayed with Carpus at Troas where he left his coat and some parchments (2 Timothy 4:13), and that he went through Corinth and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). In his letter to Titus we also noticed that Paul’s plans were to journey to Nicopolis where he planned to spend the winter and where he had asked Titus to meet him. It seems sure that Paul did make it to Nicopolis safely for Paul tells Timothy that he had sent Titus on further north to Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10).
But somewhere at about this time Paul was captured and imprisoned for a second time. Paul speaks of his imprisonment a number of times in his second letter to Timothy: “do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God” (1:8 - cf. 1:16-17, 2:9, 4:6-8,). During this second imprisonment in Rome he was not treated as well as during his first imprisonment. Many of those who had followed Paul deserted him, he had less freedom, his first trial did not go well, and he knew death was imminent. Paul concludes: “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (4:16-18). It was at this time and during these circumstances that Paul wrote one more time to Timothy, his “beloved son.”
Understanding the background for the letter, we can begin to understand how and why it is different from Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This letter is much more personal than the first letter Paul had written to Timothy. There is much less general instruction concerning matters in the church. In fact, this letter focuses on the personal needs of Paul more than any of his other letters in the New Testament. Many of Paul’s followers had left him, and others had been sent out for other purposes. So Paul writes and asks Timothy to get Mark and come quickly, and to pick up and bring certain items that he had left behind previously (4:9-12).
But greater than his concern for himself was his concern for Timothy and the church. This would be his final letter, and in this letter he left Timothy and the church God’s words of warning, comfort and encouragement. In this way these words have served many Christians living in the perilous time of the last days (3:1). Paul’s general theme is one of comfort and confidence in God for every Christian who faces these troubled times in the world. This comfort comes to the believer through the power of the Word!Outline and Contents
I. Salutation (1:1-2)
In the introductory verses we read, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, a beloved son” (2 Timothy 1:1-2). Already in the very opening verse of this epistle Paul is looking ahead to the blessing of eternal life in heaven.
II. Personal Appeal to Timothy (1:3-2:13)
Here Paul speaks of his love for Timothy, and his respect for the way he was brought up by his mother and grandmother. But the main thought in these verses is found in Paul’s encouragement for Timothy to use the gifts God has given him, and to not be ashamed of God or His Word, but to be ready to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, even as Paul had. Paul says, “do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (1:8-10). Paul tells Timothy to hold on to these sound words which have been entrusted to him through the Holy Spirit.
Timothy is also to take the sound words he has been given and entrust them to certain men, who will in turn teach others: “commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2:2). As Christians (both pastors and lay people) we are to pass on the message of the gospel to others for the purpose of the salvation of souls: “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2:10).
III. Instructions on Sound and False Teaching (2:14-26)
In this section Paul again addresses the topic of doctrine in the church. He lists the positive (what is good and should be done) and the negative (what is bad and should not be done):
The Positive:
• “Rightly dividing the word of truth” (2:15).
• “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2:22).
• “Be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition” (2:24-25).
The Negative:
• “Shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer” (2:16-17).
• “Depart from iniquity” (2:19).
• “Flee also youthful lusts” (2:22).
• “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2:23).
• “Must not quarrel” (2:24).
IV. Warnings Concerning the Future (3:1-16)
In describing the atmosphere of the last days, Paul lists 19 different characteristics of people: “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power... always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (3:2-5,7). Paul’s listing is an accurate picture of our society today.
V. Focus on the Power of the True Word of God (3:10-4:5)
Against these difficult times Paul reminds Timothy to “continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (3:14). Paul points Timothy to the power of the Word of God which is the power of God for salvation: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” (4:2-3).
VI. Conclusion (4:6-22)
In spite of the bitter trials and loneliness the apostle was going through, he continued to keep a positive outlook as he awaited the life after death. Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (4:7-8); “the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (4:17); and “the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (4:18). What a wonderful confession! What a confidence!
May the LORD help us to be as dedicated to the work of proclaiming the gospel in spite of the trials the world may place before us, and to eagerly await the day when the LORD will take us from these evil days here on earth to be with Himself in eternal glory!
Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.
If you would like more information about this study,
please contact Pastor Mayhew