2 Timothy 1

1:1-7, 8-14, 15-18

1-7

1-2

The second letter from Paul to Timothy was written several years later during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment and shortly before his death, martyrdom, at the hands of the emperor Nero, not literally done by Nero himself but as part of the emperor’s persecution of Christians. There is very little doctrinal content in 2 Timothy and generally centers around Paul encouraging Timothy and spurning him on in his ministry and as a successor to himself. Every one of Paul’s epistles and letters begin with Paul, some have additional men also listed but its always Paul then a title and greeting. Paul’s last letter that is recorded in the Bible, chronologically not order of book in the bible, is no different. Paul introduces himself, lists his title, and apostle of Christ Jesus, and a short and sufficient qualification for said title. It is by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus.

3

Paul gives thanks to God and says that he along with his ancestors the Jews, have served Him with a clear conscience. And tells Timothy whom he called his beloved child in verse 2, that he prays for him night and day. I fell like you can just tell the difference in tone of this last letter of Paul. He pretty much knew that he would not be released from this imprisonment. Not that he was depressed or regretful at his situation but has accepted what was coming.

4-5

Paul longed to see Timothy again before his end and reminds Timothy that he is a third generation Christian, his grandmother Lois, his mother Eunice and now Timothy.

6

He is concerned that Timothy may weaken spiritually and encourages him to fan the coals of his gifts, his ministry and preaching so they burst once more into flames, burning hot for Christ.

7

Paul tells him that the Spirit God has sent us, the Helper, is not a spirit of fear, but of power. Even though the new emperor of the Roman empire, Nero, was actively persecuting Christians and Paul was close to his own death, Paul is telling Timothy to trust in God and not to hide his spiritual gifts.

8-14

8

We should never be ashamed at our salvation or in our testimony, but always eager to share the gospel with everyone. This is also easier said than done, but Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of Christ nor Paul, and the reader now not to be afraid to tell anyone of the good news. And to share in the suffering for the gospel, like Peter and the other apostles were rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer and be beaten for spreading the gospel of Christ. Acts 5:41 “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

9

We have been saved not to fear and hide, but are all called to be missionaries and workers for Christ, a holy calling. Doing good works, but not of our own accord, good works for and from God, for his purpose and for his glory, which was determined to be given to us through Christ Jesus before all of creation.

10

And now since Christ has come in the flesh, lived the perfect life that we could not, took on our sin, died, and rose again, we now also have an immortal life as adopted sons and daughters of God the Father.

11-12

This is the gospel that Paul preaches and teaches, and this is the reason he is imprisoned and suffers. But he is not ashamed and neither should we be, Paul has and we should have a sure faith in Jesus to carry us to the very end, and no amount of suffering, pain, hardship, or persecution measures up to the joy, and happiness that we will have when we are united with our Lord and Savior in heaven.

13

Listen to and follow the words of Paul and the instruction of all of Scripture if faith and love striving to be as loving as Jesus is for those whom he died.

14

We have the Holy Spirit in us, helping us and guiding us throughout our sanctification for the rest of our days on this side of eternity.

15-18

15

Nothing more is known of Phygelus and Hermogenes other than what Paul records here. They were men that abandoned Paul from Asia probably because of the persecution of Christians as criminals of the Roman empire under Nero. Asia here is referring to where modern day Turkey is now and not the whole continent of Asia or Asia Minor.

16-17

But not all abandoned Paul as he mentions Onesiphorus and how he sought Paul out and visited him when he arrived in Rome from most likely in or near Ephesus. This imprisonment that Paul is in differs from his previous one in several ways, his first imprisonment was at the request of the Jews and Paul himself requested to have an audience with the emperor as he was a citizen of Rome, in his second he was charged with being a criminal against the empire due to Nero’s campaign of persecution against Christians. His first imprisonment he was under house arrest and had decent living conditions and was able to have many visitors while he was very optimistic of his release, in contrast in his second imprisonment was in very poor conditions in a dungeon with only Luke with him while he anticipated his execution.