2 Timothy

2 Timothy

1. Introduction (1:1-7)
2. Keep the Faith(1:8-18)
3. Be Strong (2:1-13)
4. False Teachers (2:14-26)
5. Last Days (3:1-9)
6. Final Advice (3:10-4:18)
7. Final Greetings (4:19-22)

Introduction (1:1-7)

Paul began this letter in a similar way to 1 Timothy. In the first letter Paul greeted Timothy as "my true son in the faith." Here it is "my dear son."

Paul offered thanks for Timothy's heritage and for God's gift to Timothy. Paul appealed to helpful reminiscences and urged Timothy to stir up his gift. Gifts are not given fully developed; they need to be strengthened and matured through use.

Keep the Faith (1:8-18)

In light of the gift that had been divinely given to Timothy, Paul urged him not to be ashamed "to testify about our Lord." Paul also urged Timothy not to be ashamed of "me his prisoner." The aged apostle wanted to strengthen the courage of his young colleague.

Paul offered a strong admonition to Timothy to keep the faith in the midst of suffering. The apostle's appeal was based on his testimony of God's grace in his own experience. Timothy was to guard the gospel that Paul had entrusted to him. This was possible only through the enabling "help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."

During this time the apostle had been deserted by Phygelus and Hermogenes. Perhaps this took place when Paul was arrested and taken to Rome for his final imprisonment. In contrast to the actions of the majority, some, such as Onesiphorus, helpfully befriended Paul. Those must have been difficult days for Paul, forsaken by friends and facing imminent death. It is hard to understand why God's servants suffer like this, but for Paul it was a privilege not only to believe in Christ "but also to suffer for him" (Phil. 1:29).

Be Strong (2:1-13)

In this section Paul provided special advice to Timothy. After exhorting Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, Paul declared his frequent message about preserving and passing on the truth.

Paul gave three examples for Timothy to follow: (1) a soldier who wants to please his commander, (2) an athlete who follows the rules of the game, and (3) a farmer who toils faithfully. The three figures of speech used here are found in 1 Corinthians 9:6,24-27. Paul encouraged Timothy to faithful devotion and self-discipline in his service for the Lord. Again the apostle's exhortations were grounded in his own experience of suffering.

False Teachers (2:14-26)

Paul then offered advice regarding false teachers in the church. Positively, he urged Timothy to be an unashamed workman. Negatively, Timothy was to avoid godless chatter. Paul contrasted true and false teachers, noble and ignoble vessels, and the kind and the quarrelsome.

Not only was Timothy to refute the heretical teachers, but he also was to practice and encourage godly behavior and attitudes. Paul concluded this section by saying that a good minister must gently instruct "those who oppose him" so that God might grant them a "change of heart."

Last Days (3:1-9)

Like his remarks in the first letter (see 1 Tim. 4:1), Paul predicted the moral decline that would come in the last days. This does not at all deny that these conditions have been and will be present throughout the church age. It does say that the characteristics enumerated here will be more intensive and extensive as the end approaches.

In verses 2-4 Paul listed almost twenty different vices that will characterize people in the last days. Generally they all describe those who place self in the place of God as the center of their affections. These people are to be avoided, even though they have "a form of godliness."

Paul began the chapter by pointing out the characteristics of those who love money and pleasure. Then he focused on their depraved living and thinking. These false teachers preyed on "weak-willed women." Such women were apparently easy prey because they wanted to pose as learned people. They were "always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth." Paul compared the false teachers to "Jannes and Jambres." Neither of these men is mentioned in the Old Testament, but according to Jewish tradition they were the Egyptian court magicians who opposed Moses (see Exod. 7:11).

Scripture (3:10-17)

Paul again appealed to his own experience and exhorted Timothy to continue the work. Paul urged Timothy not to be led astray by these imposters. Instead, Timothy should continue in what he had learned and had "become convinced of." Timothy could be convinced of the truth taught in the Scriptures because (1) it had made him "wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus," and (2) the Scripture is "God-breathed." Paul affirmed God's active involvement in the writing of Scripture. The Lord's superintending work is so powerful and complete that what is written is God's truthful and authoritative word.

Preach the Word (4:1-18)

Paul's concluding charge stressed the need to preach the word (4:1-5). Like Timothy, all believers are to be prepared in any situation to speak a needed word, whether of correction, rebuke, or encouragement. Christian workers must be ready to endure hardship as Paul had done.

Paul viewed his approaching death as the pouring out of a "drink offering." A drink offering referred to the offering of wine poured around the base of the altar during the Old Testament sacrifices (see Num. 15:1-12; 28:7; Phil. 2:17).

Paul's plea to Timothy closed with personal requests and reference to his "first defense." An important lesson can be learned here about divine support in the midst of human opposition.

Final Greetings (4:19-22)

The letter concludes with greetings to Priscilla and Aquilla and the household of Onesiphorus. The household of Onesiphorus was mentioned with great appreciation in 1:16-18. But we know little about this devoted believer.

Paul then sent greetings from four members of the church at Rome and all the brothers. Paul pronounced a personal benediction on Timothy ("your spirit" in 4:22a is singular) before concluding with a corporate blessing "God be with you all" ("you" in 4:22 is plural).

Theological Significance. Second Timothy teaches us about the importance of our theological heritage (1:14). Paul had much to say about what God has done in Christ, our Savior. Jesus Christ has been revealed, destroyed death, and given us life and immortality (1:8-10). The foundation of the Christian life is what God has already done for us in Christ. We should live boldly, for we have received "a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (1:7). These truths about the gospel and Christian living are available to us in God's inspired Scripture (3:15-17). Now we, like Timothy, should pass on these truths to faithful men and women who can teach others also (2:2).

Questions for Reflection

1. What does it mean to guard the faith?
2. What is the significance of the three examples of Christian living listed in chapter 2?
3. What advice did Paul offer regarding false teachers?
4. What can we learn about the nature of Scripture from this letter?
5. Why is it important to preach the word?

Sources for Additional Study

See Titus.