2 Timothy I. Introduction A. Paul's second letter to Timothy B. Instruction of an evangelist, exhortation to Christians C. Let us consider the book II. 2 Timothy: The Details A. Authorship 1. 2 Timothy 1:1: Paul 2. As with 1 Timothy and Titus, Pauline authorship sometimes questioned by modern "scholars" 3. Based on speculative principles that betray an ideological bias against the substance of the letters 4. Consistent testimony throughout time is that 2 Timothy is truly from Paul B. Dating 1. As with all New Testament letters, no specific date 2. 2 Timothy 4:6-8: Paul seems to be certain that his demise is near 3. Generally believed that he writes 2 Timothy while imprisoned for a second time, awaiting execution (2 Timothy 1:8, 17) 4. Tradition says that Paul was hanged in Rome by Nero 5. Thus, likely written ca. 66-68 CE C. Audience 1. Timothy, Paul's "beloved child" (2 Timothy 1:1) 2. Timothy from Lystra in Asia Minor; mother Eunice, grandmother Lois, father a Greek (Acts 16:1, 2 Timothy 1:5) 3. Taught Scripture from a young age by mother and grandmother; became a disciple; Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, had him circumcised to that end (Acts 16:2, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, ca. 51 CE) 4. Went as far as Berea; Paul left Timothy there, sent him up to check on Thessalonian brethren; relieved when Timothy brought news to him in Corinth (Acts 17:14-15, 18:5, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 6) 5. Timothy works again with Paul, sent out for a journey or two (1 Corinthians 4:17, 16:10); we then hear that Timothy is sent to Macedonia while Paul is in Ephesus (Acts 19:22) 6. Timothy accompanies Paul from Macedonia on to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4), likely also to Rome 7. Timothy greets the Romans (Romans 16:21) 8. Listed along with Paul as "writer" of 2 Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:1), Philippians (Philippians 1:1), Colossians (Colossians 1:1), 1 and 2 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:1), Philemon (Philemon 1:1) 9. Paul wished to send Timothy to Philippi; his worth, serving with Paul in the Gospel as a son with a father (Philippians 2:19, 22) 10. Timothy in Ephesus when 1 Timothy written to him (1 Timothy 1:3); presumably still there, although Paul says that Tychicus has been sent there, as if Timothy was unaware of this (2 Timothy 4:12); he might be somewhere else 11. He must still be somewhere in that part of the Mediterranean, for he would have to go through Troas to reach Paul (2 Timothy 4:13) 12. Hebrew author indicates that Timothy was released from prison, and the author will see the Christians to whom he is writing soon with him (Hebrews 13:23); possibly an event after all of this, after death of Paul? D. Purpose 1. To strengthen Timothy in his faith, practice, and ministry 2. To exhort Christians through Timothy's ministry to obedience and avoidance of false teachings III. 2 Timothy: The Story A. Introduction; Exhortation to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:1-18) 1. Paul, apostle of Jesus by will of God according to promise of life in Christ; to Timothy, beloved child; grace, mercy, peace from God the Father, Christ Jesus our Lord (2 Timothy 1:1-2) 2. Paul thanks God he, his ancestors served with clear conscience, remembering Timothy in prayer constantly night and day; Paul remembers Timothy's tears, wishing to see him, to be filled with joy; Paul reminded of his sincere faith, faith first present in Lois his grandmother, Eunice his mother, dwelling in him as well; for such he reminds Timothy to fan the gift of God into flame; gift present through laying on of hands by Paul; God gave spirit not of fear but power, love, self-control (2 Timothy 1:3-7) 3. Timothy not to be ashamed of testimony of Lord, or of Paul His prisoner; should share in suffering for gospel by power of God, who saved, called to holy calling, not because of works but of His own purpose and grace, given in Christ before beginning of ages, manifested through appearing of Christ our Savior; Christ as abolishing death, bringing life and immortality through gospel; Paul appointed a preacher, apostle, teacher; thus he suffers; Paul not ashamed, knows who he believes in, convinced that He is able to keep that which is entrusted to Him until final day; Timothy to follow pattern of sound words heard from Paul in faith and love in Christ Jesus; Timothy to guard by the Holy Spirit the good deposit entrusted to him (2 Timothy 1:8-14) 4. Timothy aware that all in Asia turned from Paul-- Phygelus and Hermogenes; may Lord grant mercy to household of Onesiphorus who refreshed Paul, not ashamed of his chains; he searched earnestly for Paul in Rome and found him; may Lord grant him mercy on final day; Timothy knows his service in Ephesus (2 Timothy 1:15-18) B. Teaching Others (2 Timothy 2:1-3:9) 1. Timothy to be strengthened by grace in Christ Jesus; what he has heard from Paul in presence of witnesses to be entrusted to faithful men who will teach others (2 Timothy 2:1-2) 2. Timothy to share in suffering as good soldier of Christ Jesus; soldiers do not get entangled in civilian pursuits, for aim is to please one enlisting; athletes not crowned unless competes according to rule; hard-working farmers deserve first share of crops; Timothy to consider these things, Lord will provide understanding (2 Timothy 2:3-7) 3. Remember Jesus, risen from dead, offspring of David, as preached in gospel; Paul suffering for gospel, in chains as criminal; word of God not bound; Paul endures all things for the elect, that they may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory; trustworthy saying: if we have died with Him, we will live with Him; if we endure, we will reign; if we deny Him, He will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:9-13) 4. Timothy to remind believers of these things, charge them before God not to quarrel about words; such does no good, ruins hearers; Timothy to do best to present himself as one approved, worker without need of shame, rightly handling word of truth; avoiding irreverent babble, leading people to ungodliness, talk spreads as gangrene; among such are Hymenaeus and Philetus, having swerved from truth, saying resurrection has happened, upsetting faith of some; God's firm foundation stands, bearing seal: Lord knows who are His, everyone who names His name to depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:14-19) 5. In great houses, vessels of gold and silver but also wood and clay, some honorable, some dishonorable; if anyone cleansed, can be a vessel for honorable use; set apart as holy; useful to Master, ready for every good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21) 6. Timothy to flee youthful passions, pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those calling on Lord with pure heart; Timothy to have nothing to do with foolish controversies that breed quarrels; Lord's servant not quarrelsome but kind, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting opponents with gentleness; God may grant such opponents repentance leading to knowledge of truth, come to senses, escape snares of devil, having been captured by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:22-26) 7. In last days, times of difficulty will come; people will love self, money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, never satisfied, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, loving pleasure, not God, having godly appearance without its power; Timothy to avoid such people; among them those who seduce weak women, burdened with sins, led astray by passions, always learning, never coming to truth; as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, disqualified regarding faith; they will not get far, for folly will be plain to all, as of the two before (2 Timothy 3:1-9) C. Example; Scripture; Paul's Charge (2 Timothy 3:10-4:8) 1. Timothy has followed Paul's teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings in Asia Minor; Lord rescued him from them all; all who live godly lives in Christ will be persecuted; evil people get worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:10-13) 2. Timothy to continue in what he has learned and firmly believed, having been acquainted from youth with sacred writings, able to make wise for salvation through faith in Christ; Scripture breathed out by God, profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness, that man of God be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17) 3. Paul charges Timothy in sight of God and Christ; Christ as judge of living and dead; charge by His appearing and Kingdom: preach the word, be ready in and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:1-2) 4. Time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching; having itching ears, will accumulate teachers suiting their passions; they will turn away from hearing truth, wander off into myths; Timothy to remain sober-minded, endure suffering, do work of evangelist, fulfill ministry (2 Timothy 4:3-5) 5. Paul as poured out as drink-offering, time of departure has come; Paul has fought good fight, finished race, kept faith; crown of righteousness laid up for him; Lord, righteous Judge, will award it on final day, not to Paul alone but all who loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8) D. Personal Concluding Remarks (2 Timothy 4:9-22) 1. Timothy should do his best to come to Paul soon; Demas fell in love with world, deserted Paul for Thessalonica; Crescens to Dalmatia; Titus to Dalmatia; Luke alone with Paul; Timothy to get Mark and bring him, for he is useful for ministry; Timothy also to get cloak and books and parchments from Carpus at Troas (2 Timothy 4:9-13) 2. Alexander the coppersmith did Paul great harm; God will repay according to his deeds; Timothy also to beware of him; he greatly opposed message; at Paul's first defense, no one stood by him, all deserted him; may it not be counted against them; Lord stood by and strengthened him so that message would be proclaimed and Gentiles heard it; thus rescued from lion's mouth; Lord will rescue Paul from every evil deed and bring him safely into His heavenly Kingdom; to Christ be glory forever (2 Timothy 4:14-18) 3. Timothy to greet Prisca and Aquila, household of Onesiphorus; Erastus at Corinth, Trophimus left ill at Miletus; Timothy should do best to come to Paul before winter; Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, fellow Christians send greetings; Lord be with Timothy's spirit, grace be with him (2 Timothy 4:19-22) IV. 2 Timothy: Christology and Theology A. Life in Christ Jesus; God the Father, Christ Jesus the Lord (2 Timothy 1:1-2) B. God in new covenant same as old covenant (2 Timothy 1:3) C. Holy calling from God established by God's purpose and grace in Christ before beginning of ages, manifest in His coming and the proclamation of Gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-10) D. Jesus as source of salvation; raised from dead, offspring of David; does not deny Himself (2 Timothy 3:8, 11, 13) E. God as author of Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17) F. Christ the righteous Judge of living and dead (2 Timothy 4:1, 8) V. 2 Timothy: Old Testament References A. Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8-9) 1. Men not mentioned explicitly in Scripture 2. According to Origen, apocryphal book known as The Book of Jannes and Jambres; he asserted Paul refers to such a work 3. Regardless, they are the names given to the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses before Pharaoh in Exodus 7:11, etc. VI. 2 Timothy: The Kingdom A. Believers do not have spirit of fear, but spirit of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7) B. Believers to remember the Gospel, avoid quarreling about words (2 Timothy 2:8-18) C. God knows who are His; believers must depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19) D. Believers to pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace; not quarrelsome, kind, teaching, enduring evil, correcting with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:22-25) E. Believers will experience persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) F. Sacred writings able to make believers wise for salvation through faith in Christ; Scriptures equip man of God for every good work, profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:15-17) VII. 2 Timothy: The Work of the Evangelist A. Share in sufferings of Christ, for Gospel (2 Timothy 1:8) B. Follow pattern of message received from Apostles, entrust it to faithful men who will teach others (2 Timothy 1:13, 2:2) C. Do not be entangled in worldly affairs, but be wholly given to Christ's work, follow His guidelines, work diligently (2 Timothy 2:3-7) D. Remind believers of the Gospel, its truth, hope; charge them not to quarrel about words (2 Timothy 2:8-14) E. Be diligent to be workman without shame, rightly handling word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) F. Avoid irreverent babble, gangrenous talk (2 Timothy 2:16-18) G. Avoid unrepentant false teachers (2 Timothy 3:1-9) H. Preach the word; be ready in and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and teaching; be sober-minded, endure suffering, do work of evangelist, fulfill ministry (2 Timothy 4:2, 5) VIII. 2 Timothy: Conclusion A. Thus we have seen 2 Timothy B. A touching, very personal, letter to a beloved child in the faith 1. Exhortation to faithfulness 2. Description of the false teachers, need to avoid them 3. Paul's difficulties, resignation of the end C. Let us live as Paul and Timothy and share the same hope of commendation! D. Invitation/songbook