The letter of 2nd Timothy was written around 66 AD, shortly before Paul’s death. Unlike 1 Timothy, which was written during his fourth missionary trip and subsequent imprisonment, 2 Timothy was written during his imprisonment under Emperor Nero. 1 Timothy was written while Paul was under house arrest, while 2 Timothy was written from a dungeon. In both cases, Paul’s awaiting a verdict from Nero. This one would end in his execution. This is chronologically the last letter Paul wrote.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul’s introduction is slightly different from other letters. First, he addresses it as an apostle of Christ, showing us his allegiance. The unique part, which we do not find in his other letters, is the “promise” of life that is Jesus Christ. Paul understands that he is close to death, therefore the understanding of that promise is even more urgent.
What is the promise? It is that those who give their entire selves to Christ share in the reward of eternity. In this letter Paul will lay out the groundwork for our part of the promise of following. He will discuss loyalty and how we are to flee from the evil of the world. It is his final plea.
In his letters to Timothy and Titus, Paul wishes upon them three things: grace, mercy and peace. The mercy part is the addition to the pastoral letters. Perhaps ministers and leaders need more mercy than others. Mercy is the main component of forgiveness. Ministers are sometimes held to a higher standard than others and in the eyes of their followers cannot fall, have blemishes or faults. They are the ones who should have all the answers. But ministers are human too, and Paul is eluding to that fact. People should have a forgiving heart toward their spiritual leaders, even if there are human mistakes along the way.
Thanksgiving 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Paul’s prayer life is strong and Timothy is in his thoughts and prayers daily. There is a father-son bond here, a master and pupil attachment that transcends a mere friendship. Timothy has become a son to Paul and Paul is delighted by his son.
The story of Paul and Timothy is tracked through the book of Acts. In Acts 14, Paul comes to Lystra on his first missionary trip. There he healed a crippled man, which caused great celebration. But the praise soon turned to chaos as opposition swooped in and attempted to stone him to death.
On his second trip to Lystra he met Timothy as a young man. There we also meet Lois, who was a believer, although his father was not (Acts 16:1). The mother Lois, and the grandmother Eunice, brought Timothy up as a believer until Paul took Timothy away as a pupil of his. But none of this was possible without the firm faith of the generations who instilled in Timothy the truth. Here’s a brief history of Timothy’s journey:
Lived in Lystra (modern Turkey) Father was Greek, mother a Jewish Christian (Acts 16:1) From his childhood he was taught the OT (2 Ti 1:5;3:15) Paul circumsized him and took him on journeys (Acts 16:3) Timothy helped Paul evangelize in Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 17:4, 18:5) Was with him during Paul’s long missionary stay in Ephesus (Acts 19:22) Traveled with Paul to Macedonia and Corinth, back to Macedonia and to Asia Minor (Acts 20:1-6) He was with Paul during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (Phil 1:1) After Paul’s release ,Timothy stayed in Ephesus to take care of issues there(Timothy 1 & 2) Timothy is acknowledged as the “co-sender” of six letters (2 Cor, Philippians, Colossians,1 & 2 Thessalonians and Philemon). At the end of his life, Paul requested Timothy join him at Rome (2 Tim 4:9, 21) Timothy himself was imprisoned, but released (Hebrews 13:23)
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Paul here refers to a character trait of Timothy’s that needs to be dealt with. It seems that Timothy could be timid in some situations. Paul wants to remind him of his true power.
It is easy for us to forget about our power. We live in a world which fights for us to suppress the power that God has given us, to channel it into avenues the world believes is the right way. Of course, the world (the mechanism that is in opposition to the word of God), has its own value system.
We have great power within us, set inside us on the day we first authentically believed. The gift of God that needs to be fanned back into existence is the dormant spirit that has been crushed and maligned by the world. It lays inside each one of us, eager to expand. The NASB version of scripture may say it best: it says to kindle afresh the gift of God.
This letter, a letter of encouragement, is also a rise into action. We cannot be passive about this power inside us. Just because God gifted you doesn’t mean you are using his gift to its full advantage. A fire, left to itself, will burn out. In Timothy’s case, he didn’t lose this gift; it simply needs to be reignited. Jesus commands us to make a definitive stand in our lives (Luke 14:25-35).
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
This spirit is not one rooted in fear. It is a courageous spirit. A bold spirit. The definition of courage is this: to act or speak fearlessly despite real or imagined dangers. Boldness takes action regardless of risk. It is most closely associated with assertiveness.
In Acts 2:1-40, Boldness is one of the first characteristics the Holy Spirit imparted to believers after Jesus ascended. In that story there is an obvious journey: Transformation: the fear of the apostles turned to boldness Application: the boldness affected others Conclusion: 3000 people were baptized
Because the spirit was poured into them and it was a spirit of boldness, their induction into boldness had wide and lasting effects. We, holding the spirit inside us, can access the same power if we understand the spirit. The spirit is based in power, love and self-discipline.
Spiritual boldness comes from the Holy Spirit. It compels a person to speak truth in love even when it may not be welcomed. It compels a person to speak what is right regardless of how terrifying it may be (Matt 10:16-20).
This is different from worldly boldness. Worldly boldness is defined by these:
Pushy and confrontational Thrives on popular approval Ignores caution/sensitivity
Proverbs 13:16 says it best: All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
Boldness, with discernment, is important because:
Boldness reminds us that God is with us Boldness reinforces that what must be said is important Boldness is motivated by passion for Christ Boldness is not self-centered (our natural desire for comfort and popularity is set aside) Proverbs again is a good place to go for wisdom:
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. – Proverbs 28:1
Understanding that God did not give us the spirit of timidity is important because the boldness of our lives, based in God’s Love, is what propels us forward to do His work. Here’s a simple equation:
Boldness (1 Cor 13:4-8) + Love + Humility (1 Peter 5:6) = Light in the darkness (Matt 5:14)When we are convinced that our message is life giving and eternal, we can speak with boldness, knowing God will impact the recipient’s world. Isaiah 55:10-11
God gives us Power, Love and Self-Discipline Power: When we do his work, his power supports us (Luke 12:11-12) Love: Agape Love (unconditional) How much we can love and serve others (John 13:1-11) Sound Mind: Calm, self-controlled mind
We cannot concentrate on what God hasn’t given us; must focus on what he has given us
When we focus on fear (timidity), we weaken ourselves We must concentrate on the what God has given us (Power, Love and Sound Mind) Without boldness, we can’t fulfill God’s purpose We must use our gifts to touch people in a needy world So we can be the light they need
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
If we take the power that is offered to us, we are not ashamed of the story of God, His people, of our savior and our right to eternity. It may seem foolish to a world that has its own value system and regularly attacks and knocks us around so much that we may even question our faith. But the true power is in remembering the promise (Joshua 1:9).
9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
God calls us to a holy life. Oftentimes we get this backwards. We believe that it was us that found Him, but in reality, He called us (John 6:44). The reason He calls us is for the plan he has for our life (Jeremiah 1:5). The grace of God is revealed through Christ. We have a better understanding of who God is, through Jesus, and what God wants in our lives.
11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
Paul understands the power which has been given to him. He is a messenger for the gospel, a herald to announce Christ’s power to people through the generations. Also, he understands that there is a suffering component to it. His mission, as with ours, is not a cakewalk to Heaven. There will be opposition. There will be moments of severe doubt. There will be trouble. But the obstacles are not the focus: the mission is.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Sound teaching: Paul draws on this idea later in the book, but also in many of his other books. Remember, anywhere Paul went, there was tremendous opposition to Christ. Christianity was just sprouting in the tremendous shadow of pagan worship, emperor worship, and a string of religion that looked like Christianity but instead manipulated the scripture. Paul’s warning is to guard the sacred teaching, for there are many wolves roaming the streets, hungry and vicious. But the key to all of this is faithfulness. We must be loyal to walk in the light and the life that God requires of us.
Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty 15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
We may think that Paul, after all of his mission trips and efforts for early Christianity, would be hailed as a living legend, flocked and applauded and praised. But as we read this letter, we see the opposite. His great efforts are largely dismissed. Other Christians have abandoned him.
In contrast to verses 13-14, Phygelus ad Hermogenes have not stayed strong in the word. Their abandoning of Paul shows us that the worldly influence has marked them.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
In a final contrast, we see that Onesiphorus has the mark of a true follower. He helped Paul. He was a bold believer. He searched for Paul and didn’t give up until he found him.