2 Timothy
An Example from Paul’s Life
Paul offers his own life as an example to Timothy (v. 10). Timothy has seen for himself how Paul has lived, taught and suffered for the sake of the gospel. Now he must also expect to suffer if he truly follows Christ. On his first missionary journey, Paul was expelled from Pisidi …
Preach the Word
In this last chapter we have Paul’s last words to Timothy and to the church, “Preach the Word” (vv. 1-2) is the main responsibility Paul gives. This preaching must contain these three elements (v. 2): Bring conviction – “reprove"Give warning – “reb …
The Importance of Getting Others Involved with You
Paul says everyone has abandoned him except the Lord who stood with him and gave him strength(vv. 16-18). Paul was delivered out of the mouth of the lion (v. 17). Who and what is the “lion"? It cannot mean a literal lion because Paul was a Roman citizen and, if convic …
The Goal of the Soldier, Athlete and Farmer
We do not get and keep the ministry for ourselves. It is our responsibility to guard and invest the Word in the lives of others who share with the next generation of believers (vv. 1-2). Paul uses three common illustrations to emphasize his point. A soldier – We are to “en …
The Abandoned Apostle
Paul sends word to Timothy to hurry and come to Rome to be by his side (v. 9). It seems that in the face of approaching death the apostle craves to have his beloved “child in the faith” Timothy with him. He is lonely and in need of Timothy because most of his co …
Fulfill Your Ministry with Excellence
No God-directed ministry is small or unimportant. We do not measure the fulfillment of a ministry only on the basis of statistics, or on what people see. To be “watchful and endure afflictions” (v. 5) means to keep cool when the circumstances of life are pressing in o …
Things We Need to Remember About Christ
Right from the beginning of this letter Paul has been trying to inspire Timothy to live for the Lord no matter what may happen. He has reminded him of his own belief in him and of the godly parentage from which he has come; he has shown him the picture of the Christian soldier, …
The Value of The Scriptures
The basis of truth is not only in Paul’s example, but also in the scriptures that we now call the Old Testament. Timothy was brought up to know these scriptures by his Jewish mother and grandmother. He has also learned from Paul, whose teaching and letters will become part of th …
Courageous and Shameless
Not ashamed is the key idea to this chapter. In this time of mounting persecution Timothy could have been afraid to continue preaching the gospel. Paul admonishes Timothy not to be ashamed in (v. 8). Paul gives a brief summary of the gospel by saying, God loves us, called us and …
Approved and Disapproved Workers
The emphasis in this passage is that the workman needs to be diligent in his labors so that he will not be ashamed when his work is inspected. The word study (v. 15) means “to be diligent, be zealous.” An approved worker studies the Word and seeks to apply it to …