Introduction to 2 Timothy

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul encourages his apprentice Timothy to persevere in the truth. Paul voices some of the same concerns that he expressed in his first letter to Timothy, like the importance of correct teaching and the keys to effective church leadership. This time, though, Paul’s situation has changed. He is now in prison, perhaps for the last time, and he wants to make sure that Timothy will be able to complete the mission after he is gone. But Paul is not just concerned about his own legacy; his primary concern, as always, is advancing the gospel.

Background

Like the other two Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy and Titus), 2 Timothy identifies Paul as its author (2 Tim 1:1), but there is some modern debate about the authorship of the Pastoral Letters (see the “Introduction to 1 Timothy”). Paul would have written 2 Timothy from prison—likely in Rome (2 Tim 1:8, 16–17; 2:9). Considering that 1 Timothy indicates that Paul was able to visit Ephesus and leave Timothy there (1 Tim 1:3), this imprisonment seems to be a different from the one narrated in Acts (circa ad 61–63; Acts 28:16–31). Paul must have been freed, at least for a time, allowing for him to take an additional journey not recorded in Acts. According to early church tradition, Paul was martyred in Rome during the mid-60s ad, so the imprisonment mentioned in 2 Timothy—and thus the writing of the letter—could have immediately preceded his death. Paul seems to anticipate this (2 Tim 4:6–8).

Timothy, the recipient of 1–2 Timothy, is mentioned frequently throughout Paul’s letters and the book of Acts as a close associate of Paul. During Paul’s second missionary journey (circa ad 49–51), the two met in Timothy’s hometown, Lystra, which is a city in southern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Timothy’s mother was Jewish and his father was non-Jewish (Gentile); both his mother and grandmother were Christians (2 Tim 1:5).

Second Timothy does not mention Timothy’s location, but given the similarity between the situations in 1–2 Timothy (compare 1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 2:17), he probably is still in Ephesus. Other clues are Paul’s request that Timothy greet Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila (who were living in Ephesus; 2 Tim 4:19; compare Acts 18:18–19), and the mention of Troas (a city near Ephesus; 2 Tim 4:13).

Structure

Paul begins 2 Timothy with a standard greeting (1:1–2) and gives thanks to God for Timothy’s spiritual heritage (1:3–5). Then he charges Timothy to be bold and unashamed in his ministry, following Paul’s own example of being willing to suffer for the gospel (1:6–18). In the next section (2:1–13), Paul encourages Timothy to be a passionate preacher of the gospel. Paul then discusses the false teaching that Timothy is encountering and the proper response (2:14–3:9). In Paul’s charge to Timothy (3:10–4:8), he urges him to expect persecution, to continue relying on the Scriptures, and to persevere in teaching. Toward the end of the letter, Paul gives details about his situation and final instructions for Timothy (4:9–18); he closes with greetings and a benediction (4:19–22).

Outline

• Greeting, thanksgiving, and encouragement (1:1–18)

• Aspects of effective ministry (2:1–13)

• Opposing false teaching (2:14–3:9)

• Paul’s charge to Timothy and closing remarks (3:10–4:22)

Themes

Both Paul and Timothy were experiencing opposition. Paul had been thrown in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus and was nearly alone—his situation was dire (1:15–18; 4:11). Meanwhile Timothy was struggling against false teachers in the church (3:1–9).

In the face of this opposition, Paul urges Timothy to view his mission in the way that a soldier, athlete, or farmer would (2:3–6). It involves steady endurance—the gospel is his occupation. In juxtaposition, the false teachers Timothy faces are greedy and self-centered; they like to argue and engage in pointless chatter. Paul tells Timothy to avoid these people and their foolish controversies and stand firm in the truth (2:14–3:9).

The work of the gospel is not easy; some friends might turn away or even become enemies (4:10, 16). But there is a reward at the end, and Paul has it in sight (4:7–8). It is always worth it to stay the course.

Paul insists that we look to Christ as our foundation and walk away from evil (2:19). We are called to be ready in and out of season to proclaim the gospel, and this means passionately advocating for the truth (4:1–4). A worker for the gospel does not look back—they press forward.

Further Reading

The Pastoral Letters

Timothy CLBD

Pastoral Letters CLBD