The background for 2 Timothy is worth mentioning for, sadly, it seems that Paul was about to meet his death at the hand of the Roman emperor Nero. The final chapter of the Acts of the Apostles left Paul under house arrest, yet enjoying a fair amount of freedom. By the time of this letter, it all seems to have changed. It appears that Paul had been released from prison, arrested again, and was, now, being chained like a criminal (2v9). All this must have happened some time after Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy and we can see that the arrest had been so sudden and unexpected that he had no time to take his warm cloak or precious parchments (4v13). Before this, in Rome, Paul lived in his own rented house but, this time, he was held in close confinement. Before, he was the centre of a large group of friends, accessible to all, but now only Luke was there (4v10-12). Before, he had hoped for freedom; now he was expecting to die (4v6). Everyone deserted him during his first defence (4v16,17) but the Lord strengthened him and rescued him from the lion’s mouth.
Paul is even more anxious to pass on the message to Timothy so that he could, in turn, pass it on to others. This letter, like 1 Timothy, is to his protégé church leader who, young as he is, will possibly be one of the main church leaders after Paul’s death. So, what advice does he have for him?
REKINDLE THE SPIRITUAL GIFT
Turn to 2 Timothy 1 and verse 3. We can see Paul praying for Timothy night and day; prayer for Paul was a lifestyle. Timothy had a sincere faith that had followed through the generations; firstly, in his grandmother, Lois, and then his mother, Eunice. It is very important to live for God in our family homes. Sometimes, like Timothy, we need to rekindle the spiritual gifts that God has given us (v6) and, in Timothy’s case, the gift he had received through the laying on of hands. Timothy had a problem with timidity and we too can sometimes be cowardly when our lives should be lived in a “spirit of power and of love and of self discipline” (v7).
PASS ON THE TREASURES WITHIN US
Do not be ashamed to speak of the Lord or to suffer “for the gospel” like Paul (v8). Timothy was encouraged to join him in suffering for that wonderful gospel message that God has saved us by grace and not through performance (v9). Our Saviour, Christ Jesus, abolished death and brought us eternal life. Again, Paul emphasises the foundation of having faith and love in Christ Jesus (v13) and sound teaching should be the focus of his ministry. Remember we have the life of the Holy Spirit and good treasure entrusted to us (v14).
Despite his death sentence, Paul’s message is unchanged. Remember this was to be his last writing, his pen would be packed away forever, but this is a personal letter with 23 different people mentioned. Many had rejected Paul at his time of suffering in Asia (v15) but Onesiphorus stood by him (v16).
Paul’s word in chapter 2 is for Timothy to be strong in the grace of Jesus (2v1) and to pass on the teaching to faithful people who can teach others, as well (v2). There was no room for compromise and he should be willing to share in suffering like a good soldier of Jesus Christ, have the discipline of an athlete and work hard like a farmer. His objective is to bring Christ’s salvation to God’s people and if we have died with him we will also live with him (v11).
LIVE THE NEW LIFE
Paul makes his usual warning about false teachers, who upset the faith of some, but in this letter there is much about living the life, so in v19 he says “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness”. It is all about the quality of a cleansed life which is useful and dedicated to our owner and ready for every good work (v21). It is about right desires (v22), avoiding senseless religious arguments, teaching and, if necessary, correcting people kindly and gently to bring them to repentance (v25). Even church people can be caught up into doing the devils work (v26).
In chapter 3, Paul warns Timothy of distressing times that will come and the wrong ways in which people will live. Can we see (v2-4) how true this is in our own time. What about “lovers of themselves”, “lovers of money”, “boasters, arrogant”, “abusive”, “disobedient to parents” and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. And this refers to those in the church; you see that we can have an outward form of godliness but no power within (v5). It is the life that matters and Paul could say that Timothy had observed it in him (v10). Our faith should make a difference, as Paul’s did, in his teaching, his conduct, his aims, his faith, his patience, his love and steadfastness. Also, the way he was willing to suffer persecutions; for everybody who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted (v12).
GOOD TEACHING FROM THE SCRIPTURES
Paul reminds us that good teaching is important because it equips Christians for “every good work” (v17). It is good to know the Bible, from childhood (v15), and its message of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Our instructions are in the scriptures, the inspired word of God (v16), on which our teaching should be based.
We are in His presence and kingdom and one day Christ will judge the living and the dead (4v1). Timothy is urged to, persistently, proclaim the message, whether the time is favourable or unfavourable (1,2). To convince, rebuke and encourage with utmost patience in teaching. There are three elements of teaching here; to patiently convince people of the truth, to rebuke those who are wrong and bring encouragement. Timothy should be aware that false teachers would come and the message they brought would not be sound but one to suit their own desires.
HIS LIFE HAD BEEN DEVOTED TO THE LORD
So the time of Paul’s departure from this life had come (v6). How good to look back at your life and say (v7), “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. Paul had longed for Christ’s appearing and he could look forward to his crown of righteousness.
The humanity of Paul shows through right to the end. His loneliness, his desire to see Timothy and Mark, his sadness at Demas deserting him, for Demas was in love with this present world (v10). He needed a warm cloak, his parchments and we hear Alexander the coppersmith had done him great harm. A number of his fellow leaders had been left behind to carry on the work elsewhere, Crescens in Galatia, Titus in Dalmatia (v10) and Erastus in Corinth.
At his time of trouble and his first legal defence, all deserted him (v16). It looks like he was almost thrown to the lions but the Lord stood by him and rescued him (v17). The final greetings show that, even from his darkest prison, he still cared and loved others.