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About this book: 2 Timothy

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

Faithfulness under pressureGuarding the gospelMentoring the next generationThe value of ScriptureFinishing well

Outline

  1. 1:1–1:18Thanks, encouragement and courage
  2. 2:1–2:26Endure like a soldier, worker and servant
  3. 3:1–3:17Hard times and the use of Scripture
  4. 4:1–4:8Preach the word and finish the race
  5. 4:9–4:22Personal requests and farewell

Key verses

2 Timothy 1:7 →2 Timothy 2:15 →2 Timothy 3:16-17 →2 Timothy 4:7-8 →
About this chapterWriting 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. God has given a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control, so Timothy should not be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul, the prisoner. Paul speaks of the grace given in Christ before time began and now revealed through Jesus, who defeated death. He tells Timothy to hold to sound teaching and guard the good deposit, and mentions those who deserted him and the faithful Onesiphorus.

Writing 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. God has given a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control, so Timothy should not be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul, the prisoner. Paul speaks of the grace given in Christ before time began and now revealed through Jesus, who defeated death. He tells Timothy to hold to sound teaching and guard the good deposit, and mentions those who deserted him and the faithful Onesiphorus.

Themes

  • Fanning the gift
  • Courage, not fear
  • Guarding the truth

Key verses

Audio Bible · 2 Timothy 1

Listen while you go about your day.

2 Timothy 1

Berean Standard Bible18 verses · 2 min read

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 9He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel, 11to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. 12For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. 13Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 15You know that everyone in the Province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains. 17Indeed, when he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me. 18May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day. You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.
Verses in 2 Timothy 1
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Chapters of 2 Timothy

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