Introduction to Second Timothy-Overview
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Wednesday January 28, 2015
Second Timothy: Introduction-Overview
Lesson # 3
Second Timothy begins with the usual Pauline salutation (1:1-2).
This is followed by the body of this letter (1:3-4:8).
Paul encourages Timothy (1:3-18), and this is followed by exhortations to be faithful in the ministry (2:1-26).
He concludes with a very somber commission in the light of the difficult future ahead (3:1-4:8).
The Paul begins the body of the letter by encouraging Timothy in light of his own adversity (1:3-18).
He expresses thanks for Timothy (1:3-7), and the desire to see him again (1:4).
He then reminds him to “fan into flame the gift of God” (1:6) because “God did not give us a spirit of timidity” (1:7).
The apostle then presents himself to Timothy as an example to follow of courage in the face of great adversity (1:8-12).
He wants Timothy to guard the gospel which has been deposited in his soul by the Spirit (1:13-14).
Timothy thus is exhorted to be courageous in his ministry in the face of adversity.
Paul then concludes this first section with an explanation of his present circumstances (1:15-18).
He tells Timothy that when he was arrested in Asia Minor, no Christian came to his aid (1:15) because they were ashamed of his imprisonment (cf. 1:8, 16).
He was imprisoned in Rome so that it was difficult to find him (1:16-17).
However, Onesiphorus searched for him until he found Paul (1:16-17).
The apostle then proceeds to exhort Timothy in his own ministry with some specifics (1:1-26).
First he exhorts him to persevere (2:1-13).
Then, he was to pass along the Christian faith to other faithful men (2:1-2) to communicate.
He was to endure hardship (2:3-7) like a good soldier (2:3-4) and like an athlete (2:5) and like a farmer (2:6).
He was to “remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel.” (2:8, NET).
Secondly, the apostle exhorts him to a life of faithfulness (2:14-26).
He was to be faithful in his ministry (2:14-19), especially as a craftsman who properly handles “the word of truth” (2:15); and he must be faithful with regards to his conduct (2:20-26) because an unclean instrument (2:20-21) cannot be used by God (2:21).
The emphasis on Timothy’s godly character stands in stark contrast to the ungodly conduct of the false teachers who have fallen into the trap of the devil (2:21-26).
In the last major section of Second Timothy, Paul charges Timothy to continue to communicate the Word of God in the light of great adversity coming in the future (3:1–4:8).
He explicitly predicts the godlessness that will appear during the last days (3:1-9).
The apostle describes the ungodly character of the false teachers (3:1-5).
The character sketch of these false teachers is the same as the present false teachers who were plaguing the Ephesian church which cause Paul to write First Timothy (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 6:3-10).
These false teachers were gaining control of weak-willed women (3:6-7) just as the false teachers mentioned in 1 Timothy apparently had done so.
The illustration of Jannes and Jambres, as leaders of the opposition against Moses (2 Tim 3:8), makes better sense if these false teachers are in view.
Paul concludes this eschatological warning with the firm conviction that the false teachers’ error will be exposed (3:9).
This warning of eschatological doom is the framework for urgency in the proclamation of the Gospel (3:10–4:8).
Paul uses himself as a model of how one ought to persevere in spite of persecutions which Timothy had witnessed in the past (3:10-11).
In fact, the measure of one’s godliness is seen by the level of persecution he is subject to (3:12).
Paul is promising Timothy he will have a difficult time of it in years ahead.
Paul commissions Timothy to proclaim the word of God fervently and frequently (4:1-5) because the Scriptures bear the authority of God (3:16) and are indeed the instrument he was to use in his ministry (3:17).
This charge is given in light of eschatological realities, both positive (4:1) and negative (4:3-4).
The reason for such a solemn charge is that Paul is about to die (4:6-8).
Thus the charge to Timothy to persevere in proclaiming the Word of God in the present time is coupled by Paul’s past example and his imminent death.
Second Timothy concludes with some personal instructions and information (4:9-18), followed by final greetings (4:19-21) and a benediction (4:22).
Paul wants Timothy to come quickly to see him (4:9).
So many Christian friends had deserted Paul and some were on assignment (4:10-13) and only Luke remained with him (4:11).
Paul expresses his desire that Mark visit him because he had become useful to him despite his failures in the past (4:11).
Timothy was to leave for Rome as soon as Tychicus arrives to relieve him (4:12).
On the way to Rome, Timothy was to pick up Paul’s cloak and parchments of the Old Testament, which he apparently had to leave with Carpus in Troas (4:13) when Alexander the metalworker had him arrested (4:14).
Thus, Timothy was to avoid Alexander when visiting Carpus in Troas (4:15).
Paul informs Timothy that he was all alone in the preliminary hearing (4:16-18).
He does not say that he is going to be executed.
