2 Timothy

Occasional - produced on or intended for a specific purpose or special occasion.

Task Theology - Theology being written for or brought to bear on the task at hand

Introduction to the Letter

This is not one of those normal Pauline letters. In this letter he does not give advice to a young pastor on how to deal with various church matters.

This letter is also different, because normally the letter is written to the perspective of the recipient’s immediate context. Yet, in 2 Timothy, Paul writes a letter to someone else about his own immediate context.

Emphases of the Letter

Guarding what you have been entrusted.

Suffering is a part of the Christian package.

Pass down those words that have been handed to you.

Those who serve God must be sure to finish well.

Our disposition in the midst of hardship must always match the victorious stance we have been gifted through Christ.

Let the Lord deal with the unfaithful and the opposers.

I. Be a Good Soldier

A Walkthrough of 2 Timothy

Notice, that Paul is telling

I. Be faithful (1:6-2:13; 3:13-17)

In Timothy’s case, this faithfulness runs in his family, at least on his Mother’s side. Please note that his genetics create a potential for him to shy away. This, along with the social climate, would prompt the need for this advice.

Take ownership of your faith and also your call. It has been given to you. You cannot hide from it.

This faith and work as a result of the faith will cause you to suffer. Paul is able to share this as he writes from this very place. Notice, even in his affliction, he does not stop doing the work of the Gospel.

The men and women of God are made complete by the Word of God.

II. The Unfaithful (1:15; 4:16; 2:16-18; 3:1-9)

a. Can your faithfulness remain when all have forsaken you?

b. The words and deeds lead to confusion, gossip, and destruction.

c. People will get worse. As time goes on, people will become more engulfed in sin. We cannot have the idea that it will never affect us or God’s Church. You will not always easily recognize them. But do not despair, they will expose themselves eventually.

III. Finish Well (1:16-18; 2:8-13; 2:22-26; 4:5-9, 16-18)

a. Paul has well wishes for the household of the man who sought him out when no one else cared for him. This is a challenge to us to care for the deserted even when we are alone in doing so.

b. There is victory in finishing your task as Christ did.

c. This letter also has a redemptive flavor, as it proves that Christian journey is not about how one starts, but rather how they end. Those who start bad can be corrected by those of us who seek to do God’s will, and the wicked may then come to their senses.

d. Even on the brink of a violent and deadly end to a faithful ministry, Paul focuses his attention on what lies on the other end of that.

e. Notice he praises God for his lasting presence in the midst of his trouble and persecution, and looks forward to his glorious home in the “heavenly kingdom.”