2 Timothy: Guard the good deposit

Where 2 Timothy sits

In the story

Act VI, Church · Rome, AD 60s and later

In the Bible

New Testament · Letters · book 55 of 66

Before it in the story

Jude

After it in the story

1 John

Paul's last letter, written from a second Roman imprisonment shortly before his death; with it the apostle hands the gospel and the Scriptures to the next generation of ministers.

2 Timothy summary

Paul writes from a Roman prison, chained as a criminal, deserted by many and expecting death (1:8, 15–17; 2:9; 4:6), to Timothy, his beloved child, probably still at Ephesus. It is his last letter and a farewell charge. He thanks God for Timothy's sincere faith, first seen in Lois and Eunice, and urges him to fan into flame the gift of God, not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of Paul His prisoner, but to suffer for the gospel of the grace given in Christ before time began and now revealed in His appearing, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light (1:3–14). Many in Asia have turned away; Onesiphorus was not ashamed (1:15–18). Timothy must be strong in grace, entrust the gospel to faithful men who will teach others, suffer like a soldier, compete like an athlete, labor like a farmer, and remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David (2:1–13). He must be an approved workman who rightly handles the word of truth, a cleansed vessel and a gentle servant of the Lord who corrects opponents, for God's firm foundation stands (2:14–26). In the last days hard times will come, with men who love self, money and pleasure and keep a form of godliness without its power (3:1–9). But Timothy has seen Paul's life and sufferings, and he must continue in the sacred writings that make wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus: all Scripture is breathed out by God and fully equips the man of God (3:10–17). So, before Christ the Judge, he must preach the word in season and out of season (4:1–5). Paul is being poured out like a drink offering; he has fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith, and the crown of righteousness awaits him and all who love Christ's appearing (4:6–8). He asks Timothy to come quickly, with Mark, the cloak and the parchments, tells of his first defense when the Lord stood by him, and sends greetings (4:9–22).

2 Timothy in context

Written by

Paul the apostle (1:1), in his last letter, received as his by the early church

Written to

Timothy, Paul's beloved child, apparently still at Ephesus (1:18; 4:12, 19), and through him the church (4:22, you plural)

Setting

A second Roman imprisonment, harsher than the house arrest of Acts 28: Paul is chained as a criminal, hard to find, deserted by many, and has had a first hearing (1:16–17; 2:9; 4:16–17)

When

c. AD 64–67, shortly before Paul's death in Rome under Nero, which early tradition records (Nero died AD 68). Some place the letter in the first imprisonment of Acts 28.

Why

To call Timothy to Rome before winter (4:9, 21) and, facing death, to hand on the charge: not to be ashamed, to suffer for the gospel, to guard the deposit and entrust it to faithful men, to resist false teachers with the word, to continue in the God-breathed Scriptures, and to preach the word until Christ appears.

Themes of 2 Timothy

• Not ashamed
• Suffering for the gospel
• The deposit handed on
• Grace before time began
• The God-breathed Scriptures
• Preach the word
• His appearing
• Faithful to the end

Key verses in 2 Timothy

• 2 Timothy 1:9–10

  He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,

• 2 Timothy 1:12

  For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

• 2 Timothy 2:2

  And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.

• 2 Timothy 2:8

  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,

• 2 Timothy 2:15

  Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17

  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

• 2 Timothy 4:2

  Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

• 2 Timothy 4:7–8

  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

2 Timothy chapter by chapter

Part 1 · Do not be ashamed 1:1–18

1. 1
   2 Timothy 1: I know whom I have believed

   Fan the gift into flame, do not be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul's chains, and guard the treasure entrusted to you.

Part 2 · Be strong and teach rightly 2:1–26

1. 2
   2 Timothy 2: The word of God cannot be chained

   Be strong in grace: entrust the gospel, suffer as a soldier, remember the risen Christ, and handle the word rightly.

Part 3 · Continue in the Scriptures and preach the word 3:1–4:8

1. 3
   2 Timothy 3: All Scripture is God-breathed

   Hard times will come with godless men; Timothy must follow Paul's example and continue in the God-breathed Scriptures.

2. 4
   2 Timothy 4: I have finished the race

   Preach the word in every season; Paul has finished the race, and the Lord who stood by him will bring him home.

Part 4 · Come before winter 4:9–22

See the outline of 2 Timothy