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PAUL’S LETTERS TO TIMOTHY

Introduction to the second letter

2 Timothy chapter 1

 

Encouraging words

This second letter to Timothy was the last letter written by the apostle Paul, at least of those we have in the New Testament. Paul wrote it a little before his death, possibly in 67 AD. Since his first release from detention in Rome (Acts 28:16), Paul had gone through several regions of Asia Minor and Greece, preaching the Gospel and strengthening the churches; but he was arrested again and taken to Rome under various false charges connected with his evangelical activities. Many of his companions left him (for various reasons), until only Luke was with him (4:11). In these circumstances, Paul wrote to his "beloved son Timothy" (v. 2), to encourage him to persevere in the service for which God had enabled him.

Salutation – verses 1 and 2

Paul is an apostle proclaiming the promise of (eternal) life in Christ Jesus. He is a messenger of God, not a revolutionary or political agitator. To his "beloved son" he desires the "mercy" of God, as in the first letter.

Thanksgiving – verses 3 to 5

Paul had always served God with a  "pure conscience" even when, as an ardent Pharisee, in his ignorance he had persecuted Christians. Now he knows the sadness of Timothy and wants to see him, to comfort him, knowing that the sadness of the young man is not from doubts about the Gospel, for Timothy's faith is genuine and firm, similar to that of Lois and Eunice (Acts 16:1).

Exhortation to faithfulness – verses 6 to 14

However, the sadness could have serious consequences on the work of Timothy, making him forget his divine mission, even to abandon it altogether. He might think, "What could my work be worth if that of an apostle like Paul was thus cut off at once? ... Is it worth continuing? ..." This is how the enemy wants to discourage the servants of God and divert them from the work He has given them.

In this passage, Paul wants to encourage Timothy and he does it with four considerations:

1. The spiritual gift already owned by Timothy (v. 6-7). This gift is already mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:18 and 4:14. It was not in his own human power that the young preacher had to fight, but rather in the invincible power of the Holy Spirit - a power that was given him in a special way, early in his career as a teacher of the Word of God. It was not Paul who gave him the "gift" - it was God himself who gave it to him and Paul and the elders had recognized it by the laying on of hands. Desperation and timidity did not originate from that gift but rather power, love and sobriety (or moderation).
2. The greatness of the Gospel (v. 8-10). The Gospel for love of which Paul worked and suffered is the message of GOD to the world. It announces His salvation, which was settled by Him in eternity past (v. 9). This divine will has been revealed already by Jesus Christ Himself, the Saviour, who (by his death and resurrection) destroyed the reality of death for the believer, bringing him eternal life.
3. Paul's confidence (v. 11-12). The apostle had no discouragement, nor doubts, nor fear! Sent by the Lord Himself to proclaim the Gospel, for he knew in Whom he trusted, and that everything which belonged to him - body, soul, spirit, service - would be perfectly kept by the Lord until "that day" (2 Corinthians 5:10).
4. The presence of the Holy Spirit (v. 13,14).  “The good deposit" here is clearly the message of the Gospel - that is, the Word of God both for sinners as for saints, which has to be maintained in its purity ("sound words ") - Paul's teachings would be like models for Timothy. Faith in God and love to men - all would be possible to Timothy (in spite of persecution) by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in him and in every true Christian!

Unfaithful and faithful – verses 15 to 18

"Those in Asia" means Asian believers, i.e., members of churches in Asia Minor, who had left Paul when he was imprisoned; they probably feared they themselves would run the risk of arrest as his accomplices. Among them, two by name Phygellus and Hermogenes are mentioned (v.15).

A certain Onesiphorus is mentioned with praise and gratitude for having been exceptionally faithful; he “often" encouraged the apostle and strove to find him in Rome. Paul asks God's blessing on him, and upon all his family.

 

Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 
2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 
4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 
5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 

 

 

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 
10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 
11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 
14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 

 

 

15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 
16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 
17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 
18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

2 Timothy chapter one