The book of 2 Timothy

Main theme

Sensing that his death is near, Paul urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel, to suffer as a good soldier, to pass on the deposit faithfully, to remain in inspired Scripture, and to preach the word in difficult times.

Outline

1. 2 Timothy 1 — Be not ashamed

   Stir up the gift, suffer for the gospel, and guard the deposit, despite the desertion of those in Asia.

2. 2 Timothy 2 — Be strong in grace

   Pass on the teaching, endure as a soldier, remember the risen Christ, rightly divide the word.

3. 2 Timothy 3 — Perilous times, sufficient Scripture

   A powerless godliness marks the last days; inspired Scripture equips the man of God.

4. 2 Timothy 4 — Preach the word

   A solemn charge, the farewell of Paul who has finished the course, last news and greetings.

Key points

• Timothy’s sincere faith was handed down to him by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (1:5).
• “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (1:7).
• Entrust the deposit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also: four generations in one verse (2:2).
• The servant of Christ is a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer: dedication, discipline, effort (2:3-6).
• “The word of God is not bound,” even when the apostle is in chains (2:9).
• In the last days many will have a form of godliness without its power (3:1-5).
• “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” and makes the man of God complete for every good work (3:16-17).
• “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”: Paul’s testament (4:7-8).

Jesus in 2 Timothy

Paul sums up his gospel in one sentence: “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead” (2:8). Christ “hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light” (1:10), and he remains faithful even when we are faithless (2:13). He is the righteous judge who will judge the living and the dead and give the crown of righteousness to all who love his appearing (4:1, 4:8).

Did you know?

• Exodus does not name the magicians who opposed Moses (Exod 7:11); Paul calls them Jannes and Jambres (3:8), names known from Jewish tradition.
• To the very end Paul remains a man of study: in his prison he asks for his cloak, his books, “but especially the parchments” (4:13).
• Mark, whom Paul had refused to take along on the second journey (Acts 15:37-39), is requested in Paul’s last letter as “profitable to me for the ministry” (4:11).