New Testament Survey: The Book of 2 Timothy

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be

ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2:15)

Paul’s Last Epistle

Background

• His second letter to Timothy was Paul’s last.• A man’s final words challenge our attention—these

are this great soldier’s last words.• Written during his second Roman imprisonment in a

dungeon of the Mamertine prison• Only Luke was allowed to minister to him (4:11)

• Felt this time would end his earthly ministry (4:6)

• Paul longed for one more visit from his “son in the gospel” (Timothy).

• Paul’s instructions—bring Mark, cloak, books, and parchments (4:11-13).

• Hoped to encourage Timothy in his work, especially in Ephesus

• Timothy was to endure and fulfill his obligations as a preacher.

• Letter dated shortly before Paul’s execution by Nero in Rome (66—68 A.D.)

Background

Keys to 2 Timothy

• Key words– Faithfulness, unfeigned

faith

• Key phrase– “Preach the word”

• Key chapter– Chapter 1

• Key verses– 3:15-17

“And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

“I charge you therefore before

God and the Lord Jesus

Christ, who will judge the

living and the dead at His

appearing and His kingdom:

Preach the word! Be ready in

season and out of season.

Convince, rebuke, exhort, with

all longsuffering and

teaching.”

Keys to 2 Timothy

• Key words– Faithfulness, unfeigned

faith

• Key phrase– “Preach the word”

• Key chapter– Chapter 1

• Key verses– 4:1,2

• Feelings of a personal nature

• Deep concern for Timothy, as well as the church

• The future and a need for both to strictly adhere to the gospel

• Conclusion of Paul’s autobiography

• This great apostle’s last will and testament

Contents and Character

• Chapter 1– Do we really know in whom we believed? (12)

• Chapter 2– Study and handle God’s word properly (15)

• Chapter 3– God’s word is inspired and profitable (16,17)

• Chapter 4– Preach the word—keep the faith (2,7)

Each Chapter’s Main Points

• The increasing tendency toward heresy and the danger of apostasy against which we must guard.– 1:15– 2:16-18– 2:23– 3:1-9– “For the time will come when they will not endure

sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (4:3,4)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “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.” (1:5)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God

which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (1:6)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of

power and of love and of a sound mind. 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.” (1:7,8)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “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.” (1:10)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “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.” (1:12)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you

have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (1:13)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “And the things that you have heard from me among

many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2:2)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “You therefore must endure hardship as a good

soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2:3,4)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David,

was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.” (2:8,9)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” (2:11-13)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a

worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” (2:15,16)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands,

having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His, and, let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.” (2:19,20)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness,

faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” (2:22,23)

Three Main Lines

• Paul repeatedly emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to the faith, encouraged Timothy to do so, and to provoke the brethren as well!– “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is

profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (3:16,17)

Three Main Lines

• Paul emphasized the necessity, for both Timothy and the church, to demonstrate spiritual vitality and great evangelistic zeal.– “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord

Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (4:1,2)

Three Main Lines

• Paul emphasized the necessity, for both Timothy and the church, to demonstrate spiritual vitality and great evangelistic zeal.– “For the time will come when they will not endure

sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (4:3,4)

Three Main Lines

Paul’s Hope

• Looking back at his life, Paul felt no regret!– “For I am already being poured out as a drink

offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (4:6-8)