New Testament
2 Timothy
4 chapters
Start reading: 2 Timothy 1About this book
Second Timothy is the last letter we have from Paul, written from prison as he expects to die. It is deeply personal: a mentor writing to a younger co-worker who seems timid, tempted to be ashamed of the gospel and worn down by opposition. Paul recalls Timothy's sincere faith, which was passed down from his grandmother and mother, and urges him to stir up the gift God gave him. He asks Timothy to suffer with him as a good soldier, to handle the word of truth carefully, and to avoid pointless arguments. He warns that hard times will come and that some will turn away from sound teaching, and he points to Scripture as useful for teaching, correction and training. The letter ends with Paul looking back on a finished race and asking Timothy to come to him. It is a moving picture of faithfulness to the end. Christians read the letter's language about Scripture in slightly different ways, but all treat it as a call to perseverance.
- Author
- The apostle Paul; most scholars accept this, though some propose a follower writing in his name.
- Date
- About AD 64–67, near the end of Paul's life, during a second imprisonment in Rome.
- Audience
- Timothy, Paul's younger co-worker and friend, who was leading the church in Ephesus.
Themes
Outline
- 1:1–1:18Thanks, encouragement and courage
- 2:1–2:26Endure like a soldier, worker and servant
- 3:1–3:17Hard times and the use of Scripture
- 4:1–4:8Preach the word and finish the race
- 4:9–4:22Personal requests and farewell
Key verses
Chapters of 2 Timothy
- 12 Timothy 1Writing near the end of his life from prison, Paul recalls Timothy's sincere faith, which first lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, and urges him to fan into flame the gift of God.
- 22 Timothy 2Paul calls Timothy to be strong in grace and to entrust what he has learned to faithful people who can teach others.
- 32 Timothy 3Paul warns that difficult times will come in the last days, when people will be lovers of themselves and of money, proud, ungrateful, and lovers of pleasure rather than God, holding a form of godliness but denying its power.
- 42 Timothy 4Paul gives Timothy a solemn charge: preach the word in season and out of season, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging with patience, because a time will come when people will not put up with sound teaching and will gather teachers to suit their own desires.