2 Timothy 1
Overview of 1 & 2 Timothy for New Testament Reading
We can all
look back to mentors and teachers in our lives and the impact that they had on
our values and world-view. Timothy was a young man who had the benefit of a
believing mom and grandmother, plus he was discipled by the Apostle Paul in the
Christian faith. These two letters, along with Titus, are known as the pastoral
epistles because of their instruction for young men in the ministry of Jesus
Christ. It gives us a look into the intense training system in the 1st
century as the fledging church of the Living Savior got under way. Paul’s tone
changes between the first and second letter as he become acutely aware of his
impending earthly death for the cause of Christ. He writes the first letter
probably around AD 64 right before his final imprisonment in Rome. The second
letter was written from a Roman prison somewhere around AD 67, shortly before
his martyrdom. These letters provide much valuable information for leaders in
the church and the qualifications of being a man of God in management. As you
read 2 Timothy remember that you are reading the final earthly words of a great
man of God who sacrificed everything to promote the Kingdom of the Lord.
Remember that you, just like Timothy, have a responsibility to commit yourself
to stand courageously for the truth, knowing the Word and being empowered by
His Holy Spirit to do what He has gifted you to do.
Major Themes:
Mentors- Paul
provided instruction to this young leader of the church as an example for us
today. We are to train up the next generation in the truths of Christian
leadership so that the work will continue to grow and prosper in Christ Jesus.
Sound Doctrine, Faith
and Teaching- Paul was not writing this text strictly on church
administration; instead, he was primarily preparing young Timothy to deal
wisely with false teachers who were threatening the vitality and
accomplishments of the true body of Christ in the Ephesian church.
Godliness and Personal
Discipline- (1 Tim. 2:2) There is much practical instruction about how
leaders in the church of the Living God are to act and demonstrate their walk
with Christ. Holy living as examples to the brothers and sisters in the Lord is
a main point in Paul’s writing in these pastoral letters. This implies a deep
reverence for God and the things of God. It stresses a disciplined life that
will persevere through difficulty.
Handling Controversies-
We are not to devote ourselves to myths or endless genealogies, which produce
controversies (1 Tim. 1:4). Controversies and quarrels about words result only
in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between
men of corrupt minds (1 Tim. 6:4, 2 Tim. 2:23-24). The way we handle conflict
is important to the Lord and to His church. 1 & 2 Timothy focus on this
theme.
Trustworthy Sayings-
This phrase is used five times in the pastoral epistles, but found nowhere else
in the New Testament (1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9, 2 Tim. 2:11, Titus 3:8). These are
words we can count on from the Lord, which necessitates our obedience in
practical ways as we go through life. Research these “trustworthy sayings” and
make them a part of who you are.
Boldness- In the
face of opposition and persecution, Timothy was to carry out his ministry
without fear or shame. Paul urged him to utilize to his fullest the gifts of
preaching and teaching that the Holy Spirit had given him. We, through the
power of God, can be wise and strong. God honors our confident testimony even
when we suffer. We must get over our fear of what people might say or do, keep
your eyes on Jesus Christ.
Structure:
2 Timothy-Paul provides expressions of love and tenderness for
Timothy (1:1-5). Then Timothy is reminded of the qualifications and qualities
necessary for a faithful minister of Jesus Christ (1:6-2:12). Timothy should
remember his call and use his gifts with boldness (1:6-12), keep to the truth
(1:13-18), prepare others to follow him in the ministry (2:1-2), be disciplined
and ready to endure suffering (2:3-7), and keep his eyes and mind focused on
Christ (2:8-13). Paul challenges Timothy to hold to sound doctrine, reject
error and avoid godless chatter, correctly handle the word of truth (2:14-19),
and keep his life pure (2:20-26).
Next, Paul warns Timothy of the
opposition that he and other believers would face in the last days from
self-centered people who use the church for their own gain and teach false
doctrines (3:1-9). Paul warns Timothy that there will be unfaithful people, and
that he is to follow Paul’s example (3:10-11), understanding the real source of
the opposition (3:12-13), and finding strength and power in the Word of God
(3:14-17). Then Paul gives Timothy a stirring charge: to preach the Word (4:1-4)
and to fulfill his ministry until the end (4:5-8).
Paul concludes with personal
requests and items of information. In these final words, he reveals his
loneliness and his strong love for his brothers and sisters in Christ (4:9-22).
Key Verses:
2 Timothy 2:15- “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God
as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of
truth.”
*Notes from this overview were aided by:
New American Standard
Bible: Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mich.: 1995,
pgs. 2126-2127, 2138-2139.
-Paul offers a similar greeting to his beloved child in this
second letter written near the time of the apostle’s martyrdom in Rome. He
claims he is an apostle by the will of God appointed to preach and teach “according
to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:1, 11).” He
extends grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and the Son as is his custom to
Timothy and all of his letters in general (2 Timothy 1:2).
-Paul notes his service to the Lord with thanksgiving as he
begins the body of his short letter of departure, which we might call a
farewell discourse much like other such literature in Scripture (Moses-
Deuteronomy, Joshua- Joshua 23-24, David- 1 Chronicles 28-29, and Jesus- Upper
Room Discourse, John 14-16). Paul claims to be in a long line of service from
his ancestors with a clear conscience and he relates that Timothy too has a
great heritage of faith both from his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice
(2 Timothy 1:5). This Spirit of the Lord Paul knows dwells in Timothy as well,
and he offers constant prayers with a sincere longing to see him to increase
his joy (2 Timothy 1:3-5). Paul then exhorts his beloved child to “fan into
flame the gift of God,” which is in him through the laying on of Paul’s hands
(2 Timothy 1:6). This gift should be used with confidence because God did not
give a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
*Application* Great love from a mentor to his spiritual pupil is to be
commended. Paul sets an example for us to follow in love and tender care for a
young disciple of Christ Jesus. In life, you should always have those who are
ahead of you in their spiritual development, those who are your peers, and
those you are leading along as a mentor. This will keep you properly engaged in
the Christian brotherhood and help you grow as a believer in every way. This is
part of loving your neighbor as much as you love yourself.
-Because of this great relationship with the Lord and with
fellow believers, Timothy is encouraged not to be ashamed of the testimony, but
to share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and
called us (aorist past tense, completed action participle) to a holy calling not
on our own merit, but because of His purpose and grace given in Christ Jesus
before the ages began manifested by His appearing who abolished death and
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-11).
This gospel proclamation is why Paul is suffering, but he is not ashamed
because he knows in whom he has believed and is convinced that He is able to
guard until that Day (Judgment Day) what has been entrusted to him (2 Timothy
1:12). The apostle then instructs Timothy to follow the pattern of the sound
words he’d been taught by Paul in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus
by the Holy Spirit who dwells within every believer. Paul also says to Timothy
that by the Holy Spirit, guard the good deposit entrusted (2 Timothy 1:13-14).
*Application* The good deposit is the sealing work of the Holy Spirit enabled
by Christ Jesus’ work on the cross (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30, Colossians 1:19-20).
Our salvation is initiated by God and enabled by our faith in Him. He is the
One who sustains us and guards our souls from the destruction of the enemy.
Thank God for His great and awesome gifts, which He freely gives to us in love!
-Paul ends the chapter on a somewhat somber note realizing
the falling away those who were in Asia, namely Phygelus and Hermogenes (2
Timothy 1:15). He pleads the mercy of the Lord on Onesiphorus, who had been so
kind to him in many times and many ways without being ashamed of Paul’s chains as
a true friend (2 Timothy 1:16-18). *Application* When the chips are down in our
lives, it is the faithfulness of close friends that give important support and
encouragement. We see the contrast between good friends and deserters here and
it is poignant. Who can you count on in your times of need? We know the Lord is
always there, but it is nice to have friends that will stick with us through
thick and thin and come to our aid when we most need it. Meditate on those who
love you the most and thank them for their endearing devotion today. Be
proactive and let them know how much they encourage you. You’ll end up being an
encouragement to them as well. Love is circular.
Verse to Memorize- 2
Timothy 1:6-7, 12
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