KNOW YOUR BIBLE IN 50 DAYS:
A GUIDE TO ALL 66 BOOKS

Previous Chapter | Full Table of Contents | Purchase Book | Next Chapter

CHAPTER 55 – 2 Timothy: Approx. 66 A.D.

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Timothy is the fifty-fifth book of the Bible. The title of the book in Greek is Pros Timotheon B meaning “To Timothy 2.” The title in the English Bible is “The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy.”

Authorship

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, is the author of the book, The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy. It was probably written about 66 A.D.

Summary and Analysis

The book of 2 Timothy is actually a letter (epistle) that was written by the apostle Paul to Timothy, the young pastor of the Christian church in the city of Ephesus, in what is modern-day Turkey. It was probably written during his second imprisonment in Rome, Italy, in approximately 66 A.D.

The book opens with greetings to Timothy and Paul mentions his prayers for Timothy, his great desire to see Timothy, his recollection of Timothy’s tears, and his joy because of Timothy’s faith in Christ. He then urges Timothy to use his spiritual gift from God to the full and not to be ashamed of the gospel, for by it, God has saved the righteous according to God’s purpose and grace.

Paul then states that God has appointed him to be a preacher, apostle, and teacher, to the non-Jewish nations and because of this he, Paul, has suffered many things. Nevertheless, Paul says, I trust in God and remain committed to Him. He then urges Timothy to hold securely to the gospel which Paul had taught him and informs Timothy that all of Paul’s fellow workers in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey) had turned away from Him. The only exception being Onesiphorus, who found where Paul was imprisoned and often brought Paul relief from Paul’s prison conditions.

Next, Paul urges Timothy to teach the gospel to faithful men who themselves are also able to teach the gospel to others. Timothy, Paul says, should endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ and not entangle himself in worldly affairs. As a spiritual athlete who contends for victory over sin, Timothy is to strive according to God’s law of love. And as a spiritual farmer, Timothy must first himself display the good fruits of Christian love.

Paul then urges Timothy to keep in mind the resurrection of Christ, the preaching of which has led to Paul’s imprisonment. But, Paul says, if we suffer for Christ, we shall reign with Christ forever. Further, Timothy is to command the church members not have strife over useless debates, but to diligently study the word of God such that God may approve of them. Also, they are to give no attention to those who falsely say the resurrection of the dead has already occurred thereby overthrowing the faith of some in the church.

In addition, Paul says, Christians are to separate themselves from evil, seek to become holy vessels fit for God’s use in Christian ministry, flee youthful lusts, live righteously, and avoid foolish questions and the resulting strife. Timothy, he says, as a servant of God is to gently, and patiently teach those who indulge in disputes, with the hope that they will repent of their sins, thus, recovering themselves from the snare of Satan.

Paul then describes the evil character traits of those who have not been converted to Christ but who have a counterfeit form of godliness, and commands Timothy to turn away from such people. For this sort of people prey upon silly women whom they lead astray through various lusts, and are ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of God’s truth. Such people, in fact, resist the truth, having corrupt minds, and are rejected by God as Christians.

Next, Paul reminds Timothy of his, Paul’s, teachings, conduct, purpose, faith in Christ, long-suffering, love, patience, persecutions, and afflictions. He declares that the godly will surely be persecuted, and evil people and those who seduce others into sin will become more and more evil and deceitful.

But Timothy, Paul says, is to continue living according to the gospel he has learned from a child for this will lead to Timothy’s salvation. For all the Scriptures (the Bible) were inspired by God and are profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and the instruction of humanity in righteousness, fully equipping the godly person for good works.

Paul then commands Timothy to be ready at all times to preach the gospel and to rebuke, reprove, and encourage his hearers with all long-suffering. For there will come a time when people will not relish correct doctrinal teaching of the word of God, but will seek for teachers who will cater to their lusts. Nevertheless, Timothy is to be watchful for temptations to sin, endure afflictions, and work as an evangelist.

After this, Paul declares that he is prepared for his own death which is near for he, Paul, has fought a good fight against sin, and has not given up his faith in Christ. Therefore, God has prepared for Paul a crown of righteousness to give to Paul on God’s judgment day, and not only to Paul, but also to all the people who love the fact that Christ will return to the earth.

Paul then asks Timothy to come and see him soon for Demas has deserted Paul, having loved this present evil world, other fellow workers have departed to other places, and only Luke is with him, Paul. He asks Timothy to bring with him Paul’s cloak, books, and scrolls. He next warns Timothy about Alexander who has done much evil to Paul and informs Timothy that when he, Paul, first stood to defend himself at his recent trial, no one stood with him, but all forsook him. Notwithstanding this, God was with him, Paul says, and strengthened him to preach the gospel to the unbelievers in God and so, he, Paul, was delivered from Satan’s malice.

He then expresses confidence that God will deliver him from every evil work and preserve him for God’s heavenly kingdom. Paul closes his letter by sending greetings from his fellow workers to Timothy, informs Timothy of the circumstances of some of these workers, asks Timothy to make every effort to come to him before winter, and pronounces blessings upon Timothy.

Themes

• The parting words of a faithful Christian leader who knows that he is about to suffer a martyr’s death.
• Godly advice and guidance from an experienced, godly Christian leader to a young pastor.
• The loneliness of an imprisoned Christian leader.
• Mutual affection and love of godly Christian leaders.
• The continual persecution of a Christian leader.
• The imprisonment, torture, and trial, of a Christian leader.
• A Christian leader’s life experience, godly conduct, and ministry.
• The confidence and trust of a Christian leader in God in the face of their own death.
• The evil character traits of those who have not been converted to Christ.
• The importance of preaching the gospel at all times for the salvation of the hearers.
• The coming of a time when people will turn away from correct doctrinal teaching of the Scriptures and seek teachers who cater to their lusts.

God as Revealed in the Book

• God who saves the righteous through the gospel.
• God who approves of Bible study which results in the correct interpretation of the Bible.
• God who appoints persons as Christian preachers and teachers, and as apostles.
• God who gave the Scriptures, the Bible, to humanity for teaching, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness.
• God who does not accept as Christians those who resist God’s truth and who have corrupt minds.
• God who stands with His people when they are persecuted.
• God who rewards those who suffer for Christ with the joy of reigning with Christ forever.

Connections with the Rest of the Bible

Here is some of the apostle Paul’s own testimony of his Christian life experience. Paul wrote, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes [whippings] above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes [blows] save [minus] one. Thrice [Three times] was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice [three times] I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep [waters].” 2 Corinthians 11:23.

“In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen [the unbelievers in God], in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren [counterfeit Christians]; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings [sleeplessness] often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without [are external], that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the [Christian] churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:26-28.

Spiritual Applications

Pray to God sincerely and ask God to help you to do His will, believing that God will help you, and thus you will be enabled to make the spiritual applications noted below:

• Study the Bible and gain a correct interpretation of it so that God approves of you.
• Know that God is with all who are persecuted for their faith in Christ.
• Know that God rewards all those who suffer for Christ with eternal life.
• Know that all who are godly will surely suffer persecution.
• Maintain your trust in God and your commitment to Him even in the face of persecution and death.
• Preach the gospel to faithful people who can teach others also.
• Separate yourself from all evil.
• Have affection and love for godly Christian leaders.
• Never turn away from correct doctrinal teaching from the Bible and thus seek teachers who will cater to your lusts.
• Reject as Christians those who resist the truth and who have corrupt minds.
• Accept the advice and guidance of experienced, godly Christians.
• As far as possible, give care and relief to persecuted Christians.
• Know that the entire Bible is inspired by God and is given to teach, correct, and reprove people thereby fully equipping them for good works.

Previous Chapter | Full Table of Contents | Purchase Book | Next Chapter