Fearing for their own lives, the Asian believers failed to support Paul after his second imprisonment and his first defense before the Imperial Court (1:15;4:16)
Now he was in a cold Roman cell (4:13) without hope of acquittal in spite of the success of his initial defense. Under these conditions, Paul wrote this epistle in the fall of AD 67, hoping that Timothy would be able to visit him before the approaching winter (4:21).
TIMES: AD 66-67
KEY VERSES: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
THEME: This is likely the last of Paul’s writings that we have. He writes this letter from a prison cell where he is being kept like a common criminal. He knows that his work on earth is nearing its conclusion, and these are his last words of counsel to his trusted companion in ministry. One can sense his weariness, but also his strongly held conviction about what is necessary for the continued growth of the church. One can also clearly see the hope that sustains him as he looks forward to going home to Christ.
Timothy Charged to Guard His Trust
1:1-3 Paul gives an introduction which is a message of life which is in contrast to his situation writing from a Roman prison awaiting his execution. He later associates himself with Israel’s forefathers to demonstrate that he was advocating a religion of which the godly are a part.
1:5 He brings out the fact that the prayers, witness, and faith of Timothy’s godly mother and grandmother were central factors in his spiritual development.
1:6-7 He tells Timothy to fan the flame of the gracious gift of God [the inner fire in him] through the laying of hands on him by Paul and the elders at his ordination.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardness or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control.
1:8 Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me. Take your share of suffering for the gospel in accordance with the power of God. To testify is to be a witness for the Lord; the Greek term is the source of the English word martyr. Christian tradition says that most of the apostles died as martyrs.
1:9 It is impossible for people to earn their way into heaven. Salvation is by grace, the unearned and undeserved favor of God.
1:10 Christ’s incarnation abolished death. Knowing that leaving our earthly bodies simply means that we will live forever with the Lord effectively robs death of its dread. The same gospel that offers us forgiveness of sins and draws us to holy living also announces life and immortality. Believing the gospel, we begin to live in the power of an endless life. (1 Jn 5:11-13,20).
1:12 This is why I suffer as I do…Paul was preparing for imminent death, but in spite of this, he was hopeful. He had spent his time, resources, and even his life on proclaiming the gospel, and this investment in Christ’s kingdom would bring him an abundant reward in eternity (Lk 19:15; 1 Cor 3:10-15; Rev 11:15, 18).
1:14 Guard and keep unchanged, the treasure which has been entrusted to you [the good news about salvation through the personal faith in Christ Jesus] through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This is the truth of the kingdom of God (Mt 13:44-45; 1 Tim 6:20).
1:15 All who are in Asia turned away and deserted me.
Be Strong
2:1 …in the grace [that is to be found only] in Christ Jesus. The emphasis is on the strength of Christ, and not on Timothy’s own power. When we trust in ourselves, we are doomed to fail.
2:2 Since the time of Christ, there has been an endless chain of Christian discipleship.
2:7 Think over the things I am saying [grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything.
2:8-10 Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises that God gave to David (25a 7:11-16). Paul says for the gospel he is suffering even to the point of wearing chains. And he is willing to endure all things.
2:12 Persevering in our faith, even in the face of hardship or persecution, will result in a reward when Christ returns. (Lk 19:11-27; Romans 8:17; Rev 3:21).
2:13 If we are faithless– This describes an immature believer who lives for self and not for the Savior. (1 Cor 3:1-3,15) He remains faithful-For Christ to abandon us would be contrary to His faithful nature. (Jn 10:27-30; Heb 10:23; 13:5).
An Unashamed Workman
2:14 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed…The position of teaching God’s word is a position of great responsibility, not to be taken lightly. (Jas 3:1)
2:16 Avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.
2:18 Those who have deviated from the truth claim the resurrection has already taken place. This may have been an early form of Gnosticism that emphasized the “spiritual” and considered the physical world and the human body unreal and unimportant.
2:19 …the firm foundation of God stands [sure and unshaken, despite attacks]…“The Lord knows those who are His…and let them stand apart from wickedness.
2:21 If anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable-disobedient and sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and] useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
Master is a term for God’s authority over the lives of believers regardless of their level of spiritual maturity.
2:23 …pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord with a pure heart. When we run toward righteousness, we are running away from sin.
2:25 The aim of correction is repentance or a change of thinking, not self-justification or the pleasure of argument.
2:26 False teaching has an intoxicating effect that dulls the mind to God’s truth.
Difficult Times Will Come
3:1 Difficult times will come in these last days.
3:2-5 People will become lovers of self, money and be many things like arrogant, ungrateful, unholy, profane, unloving, devoid of self-control, brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. And they will give the appearance of reverence for God, but deny its power. This kind of religion provokes God’s anger.
3:6 They captivate the morally weak and spiritually dwarfed women.
3:8 They oppose the truth.
3:11 I endured persecutions, but the Lord rescued me from them all.[2 Cor 12:10]
3:12 All who pursue righteousness …will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith. God does not promise deliverance from persecution, but deliverance through it.
3:13 Evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse.
3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed. Although Scripture was produced by human writers, the original Author was God Himself. The Scripture is true in all that it affirms.
3:17 Paul emphasizes the link between knowing God’s Word and applying it to one’s daily life. Right doctrine should produce right practice.
Preach the Word
4:2 Patience and doctrine are two necessary components of an effective ministry.
4:3-4 Time will come when people will not want to hear what challenges them with God’s truth. Instead, they want to hear things that are pleasing to their senses and wander off believing myths and man-made fiction.
4:7 I have fought the good and noble fight. I have finished the race. Paul did not make these comments until he was about to die. He persevered, struggled, and served God until the end. (1 Cor 9:24-27)
4:8 Loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing-These are the believers who have lived faithfully in the hope of His return. (Titus 2:11-15; 1 Jn 2:28)
Personal Concerns
4:11 Mark’s desertion of Paul in Pamphylia on his first missionary journey had led to the separation of Paul and Barnabas at the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey (Ac 15:36-40). Later Paul and Mark were reconciled, and Mark served Paul in the ministry (Col 4:10). It is believed that Mark later wrote the gospel of Mark.
4:14-15 Alexander did me great harm, so be on guard against him. Alexander may have been the person named in 1 Timothy 1:20 or Acts 19:33, who caused harm to Paul’s ministry.
4:16 At my first trial, no one supported me or stood by me, but they all deserted me.
4:17 But the Lord stood by me, strengthened me, and empowered me so that the [gospel] message might be fully proclaimed, and that all Gentiles might hear it.
4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and he will bring me safely into His kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
CONCLUSION
Paul continues to give instructions to Timothy about leadership and organization in the church. He also gives him guidance on how to deal with those who would oppose his teaching. He appears to be a seasoned leader who is passing on essential instructions to his valued disciple. Paul emphasizes that it was God that rescued him and empowered him to successfully spread the gospel to the Gentiles.
After reading this, are you willing to pursue righteousness at any cost? If so, feel free to share below what you think would be the benefits.