2 TIMOTHY 1

GOD’S SPIRIT PROVIDES POWER, LOVE, + SELF CONTROL 

When Paul writes his second letter to Timothy, he is imprisoned and awaiting trial. Knowing the possibility of the execution that awaited him, Paul’s letter contains meaningful emotion and urgency for sharing the gospel.

Paul greets Timothy and reminds him that he considers him like a beloved child. Although Paul does not have children of his own, he sees his mentoring relationship with Timothy as fatherly love. Paul reflects on the faithfulness of Timothy’s family, including his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, who Paul met when he first met Timothy (Acts 16). These women instilled faithfulness and righteousness in Timothy, and Paul instructs him to guard what has been entrusted to him.

In the face of potential fear and opposition, Paul encourages Timothy by reminding him of the spiritual strength available through God—a spirit of power, love, and self-control. Because Paul has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned, many of his friends and followers have forgotten or abandoned him. Paul urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or ashamed of Paul himself.

Following in Jesus's suffering, Paul encourages believers to endure suffering as a holy calling. They are to do this not out of their own ambitions, but to glorify God and fulfill His purposes. Remembering the hope of the gospel, Paul shares that Jesus abolished death and suffering.

Paul advises Timothy on interpreting Scripture, encouraging him to focus on the patterns and themes within the text. This instruction underscores the importance of understanding the cohesive message of Scripture, looking for recurring themes and overarching principles rather than isolated verses.

2 Timothy 1:7 - for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 TIMOTHY 2

EMBRACING GRACE, ENDURING SUFFERING, TEACHING TRUTH

Paul urges Timothy to rely on God’s grace as a source of power. Timothy is instructed to utilize God’s strength within him to teach others the gospel. Paul compares this mission like a soldier being enlisted, an athlete in training, or a farmer growing crops. Sharing the gospel requires hard work and dedication, but the harvest is fruitful and eternal. In case Timothy does not feel equipped, Paul ensures him that God will provide understanding.

Because Jesus suffered greatly, being a follower of Jesus also entails suffering, endurance, and sacrifice. In Paul’s case, he has been imprisoned for the sake of the gospel. Because he believes the gospel message is worth sharing with everyone, he trusts that his endurance in suffering benefits other believers.

Remembering the power of the resurrection, Paul states that those who have died with Christ have been raised to life again. Those who endure in their faith will ultimately reign with Jesus. But those who deny God will also be denied by God. Paul emphasizes that sharing in Jesus’ victory also involves sharing in His sufferings. Paul reminds Timothy that God is faithful, even when people are not.

Paul offers Timothy guidance for dealing with corrupt leaders. At this time, false teachers were still influential in Ephesus, where Timothy is ministering. Many of these teachers are confused by the resurrection of Jesus and the establishment of his eternal kingdom. The teachers were unclear about the return of Jesus, and some were preaching that it had already occurred.

Instead of following the immoral and incorrect teachings of these leaders, Timothy is charged with appointing faithful people. These leaders are to rightly handle God’s word and teach truth. Instead of bickering with others and having unproductive conversations, they are to avoid irreverent arguments. Paul specifically addresses two leaders who he believes have swerved from the truth.

Timothy is challenged to be set apart as holy, used as a vessel for God, and ready for every good work. Paul wants his successor in the faith to be willing and prepared for whatever tasks God has planned for him.

Leaving Timothy with practical guidance, Paul teaches that followers of Jesus should flee immature passions and pursue righteousness. They are to avoid foolish, ignorant controversies so that they can call on God with a pure heart. Paul desires for believers to be kind to everyone, willing to teach, patient in endurance, and gentle in correction. By doing these things, followers of Jesus will be better equipped to escape the snare of the enemy.

2 TIMOTHY 3

ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD’S WORD 

Offering a warning, Paul cautions Timothy to be aware of godlessness amongst the people.

Before the return of Jesus, people will become self-absorbed, greedy, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient, and ungrateful. Paul continues to list traits of those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: unholy, heartless, slanderous, brutal, and conceited. Many of these people will claim to believe in God, but do not allow their lives to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

For those who follow false teachers, they will always be learning something new and never able to gain knowledge of the truth. People will spend their whole lives searching for something meaningful, but miss out on the message of truth: Jesus.

Paul mentions Jannes and Jambres who once opposed two righteous leaders, Moses and Aaron. Although they were able to do some miraculous signs, Moses and Aaron relied on God’s strength to do far greater miracles (Exodus 7). At the time of this letter, Paul was warning Timothy of men who oppose the truth with corruption. Like those who opposed Moses, their message may be appealing, but it is disingenuous and fleeting.

Recalling the persecution he endured along his missionary journey, Paul reminds Timothy that he faced opposition in Iconium, Lystra, and Antioch (Acts 14). Paul views this as a sign that he is living a righteous life, because all those who pursue godliness will face persecution. To endure these hard times, Paul teaches Timothy to cling to His belief in Jesus and trust God as his source of wisdom.

Paul urges believers to focus on the core message of the Scriptures and remember the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament. Because the entirety of Scripture points to the coming of Christ, wisdom can lead to salvation through faith in Jesus. All of this is breathed by God and has a specific purpose. Encouraging Timothy, Paul says that all Scripture is useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness. Through knowing God’s word, believers are equipped for every good work God has for them!

2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness . . .

2 TIMOTHY 4

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, FINISH THE RACE, KEEP THE FAITH

Paul charges Timothy to continue preaching God’s Word, reproving, rebuking, and teaching with patience. Despite sharing the good news of Jesus, people will turn away from the truth and seek other messages from false teachers.

Paul encourages Timothy to be alert, sober-minded, and enduring of suffering so that he can fulfill his ministry of evangelism. Knowing that he is near the end of his life, Paul reflects on his own faithfulness, stating that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. In the end, Paul believes God will award a crown of righteousness to all those who love Him.

Concluding the letter, Paul says that the time of his departure is near. Although many have scattered from Paul, Timothy has remained faithful. Despite being abandoned by friends and followers, Paul is comforted by the message of Jesus.

Paul requests that Timothy come soon, preferably before wintertime and asks Timothy to bring his cloak and some scrolls. Despite facing execution for his faith, Paul boldly states that God will rescue him from every evil deed and bring him safely into God’s kingdom.