BIBLE EXPLORATION
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"THE 2ND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"
INTRODUCTION
AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, as stated in the salutation (1:1). The references of a personal nature also confirm this, especially when compared to other Pauline epistles (cf. 4:9-12; Col 4:7-14).
RECIPIENT: Timothy, Paul's "beloved son " (1:2; cf. 1Ti 1:2,18). We are first introduced to Timothy in Ac 16:1-3, where we learn that his mother was Jewish and his father Greek. From this epistle we also learn that his mother and grandmother had been believers in Christ, who raised Timothy in the Scriptures (1:5; 3:14-15). Well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium, Paul desired that Timothy travel with him and therefore had him circumcised to accommodate Jews they would seek to evangelize.
This began a long relationship of service together in the work of the Lord, in which Timothy served Paul as a son would his father (Php 2:19-24). Such service included not only traveling with Paul, but remaining with new congregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14), going back to encourage such congregations (1Th 3:1-3), and serving as Paul's personal emissary (1Co 16:10-11; Php 2:19-24). He had the honor of joining Paul in the salutation of several epistles written by Paul (2Co 1:1; Php 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1), and from such epistles we learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment at Rome. Such faithful service also resulted in his being left in Ephesus as Paul's personal representative (1Ti 1:3). He may have still been in the area when this letter was penned.
TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: The general consensus is that following his first imprisonment in Rome (cf. Ac 28:16,30-31) Paul was released and allowed to travel for several years before being arrested again. It was during this second imprisonment that Paul wrote this epistle from Rome (cf. 1:16-17). Every indication is that he did not expect to be released (cf. 4:6-7) and shortly after this letter was put to death by Nero. Since Nero was killed in 68 A.D., Paul would have died a short time earlier. This letter can therefore be dated around 66-67 A.D.
PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: This epistle contains Paul's stirring words of encouragement and instructions to Timothy, his "beloved son." Longing to see him (1:4), Paul writes this letter to have Timothy come quickly to Rome, and to bring along Mark, a cloak that was left at Troas, and some books and parchments (4:9-13). He uses the occasion, however, to write concerning those things that are most heavy on his heart related to Timothy's work. Therefore, Paul writes to encourage Timothy:
• To stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1)
• To commit to others what Paul had taught him (2:2,14)
• To preach the Word! (4:1)
• To endure hardship and afflictions (2:3; 4:5)
• To fulfill his ministry as an evangelist (4:5)
THEME OF THE EPISTLE:
With all the exhortations and instructions related to his work as a minister of the gospel of Christ, an appropriate theme for this epistle might therefore be:
"FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY!"
KEY VERSE: 2 Timothy 4:5
"THE 2ND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"
Chapter 1
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1. To notice the great love that existed between Paul and Timothy
2. To examine the exhortations to faithful service given by Paul to Timothy
3. To contrast the people who abandoned Paul, with a faithful friend like Onesiphorus
SUMMARY
The apostle Paul begins this letter to his "beloved son" with a prayer for grace, mercy and peace in his behalf. Thankful to God for the unceasing memories that he has of Timothy in his prayers night and day, Paul greatly desires to see the young man. Seeing him again will bring great joy as Paul is mindful of Timothy's tears and his unfeigned faith (1-5).
Paul's purpose in writing begins in earnest with a series of exhortations toward steadfast service. He encourages Timothy to stir up the gift of God which was in him by the laying on of Paul's hands, to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul His prisoner, and to hold fast the pattern of sound words which he had heard from Paul, keeping it by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Timothy is then reminded of those who had forsaken Paul, but also how Onesiphorus had proven to be a true friend and brother by virtue of his courage, diligence, and service (6-18).
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (1-5)
A. SALUTATION (1-2a)
1. From Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (1)
a. By the will of God
b. According to the promise of life in Christ Jesus
2. To Timothy, his beloved son (2a)
3. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord (2b)
B. THANKSGIVING (3-5)
1. Thanks offered to God by Paul (3)
a. Whom he serves with pure conscience, as did his forefathers
b. For without ceasing he remembers Timothy in his prayers night and day
2. Greatly desiring to see Timothy (4-5)
a. For he is mindful of Timothy's tears
b. For Paul himself desires to be filled with joy
c. For he remembers the genuine faith that is in Timothy
1. Which dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice
2. And which Paul is persuaded is in Timothy also
II. EXHORTATION TO ZEAL AND COURAGE (6-12)
A. STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD (6-7)
1. Which was in him through the laying on of Paul's hands (6)
2. For God has given a spirit, not of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (7)
B. DON'T BE ASHAMED (8-12)
1. Of the testimony of our Lord, nor of Paul His prisoner (8a)
2. Share with Paul in the suffering of the gospel according to the power of God (8b-12)
a. Who saved us and called us with a holy calling (9-10)
1. Not according to our works
2. But according to His own purpose and grace
a. Given to us in Christ before time began
b. But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ 1/ Who abolished death 2/ And brought light and immortality to light through the gospel
b. For the gospel Paul was appointed a preacher, apostle and teacher (11-12)
1. For such things he suffers
2. But he not ashamed
a. For he knows Whom he has believed
b. And is persuaded that He is able to keep what Paul has committed to Him until that Day
III. EXHORTATION TO STEADFASTNESS AND LOYALTY (13-18)
A. BE STEADFAST (13-14)
1. Hold fast the pattern of sound words (13)
a. Which he had heard from Paul
b. In faith and love which are in Christ Jesus
2. Keep that good thing (14)
a. Which was committed to you
b. Keep it by the Holy Spirit who dwells is us
B. BE LOYAL (15-18)
1. All in Asia have turned away from Paul, including Phygellus and Hermogenes (15)
2. In contrast, the example of Onesiphorus (16-18)
a. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus
1. For he often refreshed Paul
2. He was not ashamed of Paul's chains
3. Arriving in Rome, he sought Paul diligently and found him
4. He also ministered to Paul in many ways at Ephesus
b. May the Lord grant mercy to Onesiphorus in that Day