II Timothy
Purpose
Second Timothy is Paul's last letter, written from a cold Roman prison as he faces the end of his life, and it carries the weight of a final testament to his beloved son in the faith. The shadow of abandonment lies over the page — Demas has deserted him, others have gone elsewhere, and Alexander the coppersmith did him great harm — yet Paul is unshaken, for "I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." He charges Timothy with solemn urgency to fan into flame the gift of God, to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus, to rightly handle the word of truth, and above all to preach the word in season and out of season, for a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching. Anchoring the whole letter is its great confession that "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable," equipping the man of God for every good work. Paul closes, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," looking to the crown of righteousness the Lord will award him — and to all who have loved his appearing.
Author
Paul the apostle
Time Period
Written c. 64-67 AD during Paul's final imprisonment in Rome
Key Themes
- Endurance and faithful ministry
- Guarding the gospel
- The inspiration of Scripture
- Suffering for the gospel
- Finishing the race
Outline
Exhortations to boldness and endurance (ch. 1): fan the gift into flame, do not be ashamed, guard the good deposit, and examples of loyalty and disloyalty. A worker approved by God (ch. 2): strength in grace, the soldier and the athlete, rightly handling the word, vessels for honorable use, and the Lord's firm foundation. Perilous times and the man of God (ch. 3): godlessness in the last days, the opposition Paul endured, and the Scriptures that make one wise for salvation. The final charge and farewell (ch. 4): preach the word, Paul's life poured out, the crown of righteousness, requests and warnings, and the Lord's presence and strength.