Bible Book: II Timothy

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Paul

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Introduction (1:1-4)
Paul’s Concern for and Challenge to Timothy (1:5-14)
Revitalize Your God-given Gift (1:5-7)
Be Willing to Suffer for Christ’s Message (1:8-10)
Consider Paul’s Example (1:11-12)
Keep and Guard the Truth (1:13-14)
The Impact of Paul’s Co-laborers: the Loyal and the Disloyal (1:15-18)
Requirements for a Faithful Ministry (2:1-26)
A Challenge to Endurance (2:1-13)
Be Strong in Grace (2:1)
Entrust the Message to Reliable Men (2:2)
Endure Hardship (2:3-7)
Like a Good Soldier (2:3-4)
Like a Disciplined Athlete (2:5)
Like a Hardworking Farmer (2:6-7)
Be Faithful Unto Death (2:8-13)
A Devotion to Truth and Purity (2:14-26)
Avoid Foolish Arguments and Useless Talk (2:14, 16-19, 23)
Correctly Handle the Truth (2:15)
Turn From Wickedness and Pursue God’s Purity and Purposes (2:20-23)
Teach with Kindness and Gentleness (2:24-26)
Increasing Wickedness in the Days Ahead (3:1-9)
Perseverance in the Truth (3:10-17)
As Learned From Paul’s Example (3:10-14)
As Learned From God’s Word (3:15-17)
A Challenge to Preach God’s Word (4:1-5)
Paul’s Testimony and Personal Remarks (4:6-18)
Paul’s Victory and Fulfillment in Life and Death (4:6-8)
Personal Instructions to Timothy (4:9-13)
A Word of Caution (4:14-15)
The Assurance of God’s Faithfulness (4:16-18)
Conclusion and Final Greetings (4:19-22)

Theme: Faithfulness and Endurance

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 67

Background
    This is Paul’s last letter. At the time of writing, the Emperor Nero was attempting to stop the spread of the Christian faith in Rome by strongly persecuting all Christian believers. Paul had been imprisoned once before in Rome (under house arrest, Ac 28:30), and following his release in A.D. 62/63 he made a fourth missionary journey (during which time he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus). But at this time he was again the emperor’s prisoner in Rome (1:16). This time the conditions were much different, as it is likely he was in a cold dungeon (4:13) and chained like a criminal (1:16; 2:9). Most of his friends had deserted him (1:15), and even those who came looking for him had difficulty finding him (1:7). By this time, Paul knew that his labor for the Lord was almost over and that his death was near (4:6-8, 18; see the introduction to 1 Timothy for a more thorough discussion of authorship and background). Therefore, he passes on to this faithful young minister all that a spiritual father would desire for a servant of Christ Jesus.
    Paul writes to Timothy as a “dear son” (1:2) and faithful co-worker (cf. Ro 16:21). One of the evidences of the depth of their relationship and Paul’s admiration for Timothy is shown in the fact that Timothy is named as the co-sender of six of Paul’s NT letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon). Timothy had also been with Paul during his first imprisonment (Php 1:1; Col 1:1; Phm 1:1). And now, as Paul faces the prospect of execution, he twice requests Timothy to join him again in Rome (4:9, 21). Timothy was still in Ephesus (1:18; 4:19) when Paul wrote this second letter to him.

Purpose
Paul knew that Timothy needed encouragement as he faced the many difficulties of ministering to his congregation. There were still issues with false teachers from within the church and the strong possibility of increasingly severe persecution from outside the church. For these reasons, Paul challenges Timothy to guard the truth, preach the Word, endure hardship and fulfill his God-given purpose in ministry.

Survey
    In ch. 1, Paul assures Timothy of his continuing love and prayers and urges him to remain ever loyal to Christ and his message. In addition, he challenges Timothy to diligently guard and defend the truth and to follow Paul’s example.
    In ch. 2, Paul instructs his spiritual son to preserve and promote the Christian faith by passing on its truths to reliable men who will teach it to others also (2:2). He encourages the young pastor to endure hardship like a good soldier (2:3), to serve God faithfully and to handle the Word of truth accurately (2:15). He also challenges him to avoid useless talk (2:16), to separate himself from those who have abandoned the truth (2:16-19), to keep himself pure and prepared for God’s purposes (2:20-22) and to labor patiently as a teacher (2:23-26).
    In the next chapter, Paul informs Timothy that ungodly behavior, spiritual rebellion and faithlessness will drastically increase (3:1-9), but that he must be faithful to what he has learned from Paul’s example and from God’s Word (3:10-17).
    In the final chapter, Paul calls on Timothy to preach the Word and fulfill all the duties of his ministry (4:1-5). As the apostle concludes, he reflects on his present circumstances—he is facing the end of his earthly life. With this in mind, he urges Timothy to come to him soon (4:6-22).

Special Features
Five major features characterize this letter. (1) It contains Paul’s last recorded words before his execution by the Emperor Nero in Rome almost 35 years after his supernatural encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road (Ac 9). (2) It contains one of the clearest statements in the Bible about the divine inspiration (i.e., the direct, God-given revelation) and purpose of Scripture (3:16-17; see article on The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture). Paul emphasizes that God’s Word must be accurately interpreted by those devoted to serving God (2:15), and he urges leaders to teach and entrust the ministry of the Word to reliable men who will then teach it to others (2:2; see article on Bible Training for Christians). (3) Brief but bold challenges are given throughout the letter, such as “fan into flame the gift of God” (1:6), “do not be ashamed” (1:8), suffer for the gospel (1:8), “keep... the pattern of sound teaching” (1:13), “guard the good deposit” (1:14), “be strong in the grace” (2:1), pass on the message (2:2), “endure hardship” (2:3), diligently and correctly handle God’s Word (2:15), “avoid godless chatter” (2:16), “flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness” (2:22), beware of increasing wickedness (3:1-9), “continue” in the truth (3:14), “preach the word” (4:2), “do the work of an evangelist” (4:5) and “discharge all the duties of your ministry” (4:5). (4) The recurring themes are encouragements to remain faithful and loyal to Jesus Christ and his original message of truth and life; to guard the message from distortion; and to preach it with passion and perseverance. (5) Paul’s farewell testimony is a moving example of courage and hope in the face of certain death that would come because of his steadfast faith (4:6-8).

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.