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Introduction
to 2 Timothy
Summary of the Book of 2 Timothy
This summary of the book of 2 Timothy provides information about
the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a
brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 Timothy.
Author, Date and Setting
See essay, p. 2481. After Paul's release from prison in Rome in
a.d. 62 (Ac 28) and after his fourth missionary journey
(see map, pp. 2486-2487), during which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul was
again imprisoned under Emperor Nero c. 66-67. It was during this time that he
wrote 2 Timothy. In contrast to his first imprisonment, when he lived in a
"rented house" (Ac
28:30; see note there), he now languished in a cold dungeon (see 4:13 and note), chained like a common criminal (1:16; 2:9). His friends even had a hard time finding
out where he was being kept (1:17). Paul knew that his work was done and that
his life was nearly at an end (4:6-8).
Reasons for Writing
Paul had three reasons for writing to Timothy at this time:
- Paul was lonely.
Phygelus and Hermogenes, "everyone in the province of Asia" (1:15), and Demas (4:10) had deserted him. Crescens, Titus
and Tychicus were away (4:10-12), and only Luke was with him (4:11). Paul wanted very much for Timothy
to join him also. Timothy was his "fellow worker" (Ro 16:21), who "as a son with his
father" (Php 2:22 ; see note there) had served
closely with Paul (see 1Co 4:17). Of him Paul could say, "I
have no one else like him" (Php 2:20). Paul longed for Timothy (1:4) and twice asked him to come soon (4:9,21). For more information on Timothy
see Introduction to 1 Timothy: Recipient.
- Paul was concerned
about the welfare of the churches during this time of persecution under
Nero, and he admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel (1:14), to persevere in it (3:14), to keep on preaching it (4:2) and, if necessary, to suffer for it (1:8; 2:3).
- Paul wanted to write
to the Ephesian church through his letter to Timothy (see note on 4:22).
Outline
I.
Introduction (1:1-4)
- Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
- Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
- Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
A.
Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
- Warning about Foolish
Controversies (2:14-26)
V.
Warning about the Last Days (ch.
3)
VI.
Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
- Charge to Preach the
Word (4:1-5)
- Paul's Victorious
Prospect (4:6-8)
VII.
Final Requests, Greetings and Benediction (4:9-22)
──《New
International Version》
Introduction to 2 Timothy
The first design of this epistle seems to
have been, to apprize Timothy of what had occurred during the imprisonment of
the apostle, and to request him to come to Rome. But being uncertain whether he
should be suffered to live to see him, Paul gives a variety of advices and
encouragements, for the faithful discharge of his ministerial duties. As this
was a private epistle written to St. Paul's most intimate friend, under the
miseries of imprisonment, and in the near prospect of death, it shows the
temper and character of the apostle, and contains convincing proofs that he
sincerely believed the doctrines he preached.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy》
2 Timothy General Review
AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, as stated in the salutation (1:1). The
references of a personal nature also confirm this, especially when
compared to other Pauline epistles (cf. 4:9-12; Co 4:7-14).
RECIPIENT: Timothy, Paul's "beloved son " (1:2; cf. 1 Ti 1:2,18). We
are first introduced to Timothy in Ac 16:1-3, where we learn that his
mother was Jewish and his father Greek. From this epistle we also
learn that his mother and grandmother had been believers in Christ, who
raised Timothy in the Scriptures (1:5; 3:14-15). Well spoken of by the
brethren at Lystra and Iconium, Paul desired that Timothy travel with
him and therefore had him circumcised to accommodate Jews they would
seek to evangelize.
This began a long relationship of service together in the work of the
Lord, in which Timothy served Paul as a son would his father (Ph 2:19-
24). Such service included not only traveling with Paul, but remaining
with new congregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14),
going back to encourage such congregations (1 Th 3:1-3), and serving as
Paul's personal emissary (1 Co 16:10-11; Ph 2:19-24). He had the honor
of joining Paul in the salutation of several epistles written by Paul
(2 Co 1:1; Ph 1:1; Co 1:1; 1 Th 1:1; 2 Th 1:1), and from such epistles
we learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment at
Rome. Such faithful service also resulted in his being left in Ephesus
as Paul's personal representative (1 Ti 1:3). He may have still been
in the area when this letter was penned.
TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: The general consensus is that following his
first imprisonment in Rome (cf. Ac 28:16,30-31) Paul was released and
allowed to travel for several years before being arrested again. It
was during this second imprisonment that Paul wrote this epistle from
Rome (cf. 1:16-17). Every indication is that he did not expect to be
released (cf. 4:6-7) and shortly after this letter was put to death by
Nero. Since Nero was killed in 68 A.D., Paul would have died a short
time earlier. This letter can therefore be dated around 66-67 A.D.
PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: This epistle contains Paul's stirring words of
encouragement and instructions to Timothy, his "beloved son." Longing
to see him (1:4), Paul writes this letter to have Timothy come quickly
to Rome, and to bring along Mark, a cloak that was left at Troas, and
some books and parchments (4:9-13). He uses the occasion, however, to
write concerning those things that are most heavy on his heart related
to Timothy's work. Therefore, Paul writes to encourage Timothy:
* To stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1)
* To commit to others what Paul had taught him (2:2,14)
* To preach the Word! (4:1)
* To endure hardship and afflictions (2:3; 4:5)
* To fulfill his ministry as an evangelist (4:5)
THEME OF THE EPISTLE: With all the exhortations and instructions
related to his work as a minister of the gospel of Christ, an
appropriate theme for this epistle might therefore be:
"FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY!"
KEY VERSE: 2 Timothy 4:5
"But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION (1:1-5)
I. EXHORTATIONS TO STEADFAST SERVICE (1:6-2:26)
A. WITH ZEAL AND COURAGE (1:6-12)
B. WITH STEADFASTNESS AND LOYALTY (1:13-18)
C. TRANSMITTING THE TRUTH TO OTHERS (2:1-2)
D. ENDURING HARDSHIP (2:3-13)
E. DILIGENT AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD (2:14-26)
II. EXHORTATIONS TO SOUND DOCTRINE (3:1-4:5)
A. IN VIEW OF PERILOUS TIMES TO COME (3:1-9)
B. REMEMBERING PAUL'S OWN EXAMPLE (3:10-13)
C. BY ABIDING IN THE SCRIPTURES (3:14-17)
D. BY PREACHING THE WORD (4:1-5)
III. EXHORTATIONS TO COME QUICKLY (4:6-18)
A. PAUL'S END IS NEAR (4:6-8)
B. PAUL'S CIRCUMSTANCES AND REQUESTS (4:9-18)
CONCLUSION (4:19-22)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION
1) Where do we first read about Timothy?
- Acts 16:1-3
2) What was the name of his grandmother and mother? (2 Ti 1:5)
- Lois (grandmother)
- Eunice (mother)
3) How did Paul affectionately regard Timothy? (1:2)
- As his beloved son
4) What is the general consensus for the time and place that Paul wrote
this letter?
- Sometime around 66-67 A.D., at Rome shortly before his death
5) What were Paul's circumstances in Rome? (4:6,10-11)
- Near the time of his execution
- Forsaken by Demas, others have gone, only Luke is with him
6) What two purposes does Paul have in writing this epistle?
- To ask Timothy to come quickly
- To exhort Timothy in his service as an evangelist
7) What is the theme of this epistle, as suggested in the introductory
material?
- Fulfill Your Ministry!
8) What is the key verse?
- 2 Ti 4:5
9) According to the outline proposed above, what are the main points of
this epistle?
- Exhortations to steadfast service
- Exhortations to sound doctrine
- Exhortations to come quickly
－－《Executable
Outlines》