Life of Paul - Paul's Second Letter to Timothy
Possible Date: 67
Scripture: 2 Timothy
#Paul
#Apostle Paul
#Timothy
Theme: Facing imminent death, Paul encourages Timothy to carry on the ministry and faithfully guard the gospel in the face of persecution and false teaching.
NOTE: Paul authored this "Pastoral" book after completing his fifth and final missionary journey. He writes his last of fourteen books to his best friend Timothy. The apostle is a prisoner in Rome waiting for what would be his martyrdom at the hands of the Romans.
Although there is no direct biblical record that has shed light on the matter, it appears that Paul may have been re-arrested either in Nicopolis or Troas and returned to Rome under a sentence of death. This seems likely because in a second letter to Timothy, written, perhaps A.D. 64-67, Paul once again refers to himself as a prisoner and mentions having made what was a legal defense.
Companions who were recently with him had departed (2 Timothy 4:10), leaving him alone–“Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:11). Presumably, Timothy was still in Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19), where Paul had left Priscilla and Aquila at the end of his second journey (Acts 18:18, 19), and where he had stationed Timothy to oversee the work in Asia Minor.
The tone of Paul's last known letter indicates that Paul knows his time is short. Several of his supporters have deserted him in the face of persecution, and Paul wants Timothy to come to him as soon as possible. Tychicus, who has been Paul's messenger on other occasions, is being sent to Ephesus. Perhaps to carry this letter and also to relieve Timothy so that Timothy can travel to be with Paul. Paul warns Timothy about the coming of opposition and encourages him to be strong in the defense of his faith. There is a sense of urgency in his exhortations as if Timothy is Paul's last link with future generations of those in whom the gospel will be entrusted.
No records indicate whether Timothy was ever able to be with Paul before Paul died. Although the exact date and circumstances of Paul's death are unknown, early historical consensus establishes that Paul died a martyr's death. In any event, the second letter to Timothy seems to be Paul's last.
NIV Study Bible Intro: 2 Timothy
OUTLINE:
- 1:1–2—Greeting
- 1:3–14—Thanks and advice to Timothy
- 1:3–5—Timothy’s faithful heritage
- 1:6–12—Testify unashamedly
- 1:13–14—Stand firm
- 1:15–18—Status of Paul’s friends
- 1:15—Many have turned away
- 1:16–18—Onesiphorus faithful
- 2:1–7—Act with purpose
- 2:1–4—Act as a soldier
- 2:5—Act as an athlete
- 2:6—Act as a farmer
- 2:7—The Lord will provide an understanding
- 2:8–13—Christ Jesus is our reason
- 2:14–26—Dealing with false teachers
- 2:14–15—Timothy to be a model
- 2:16–19—Marks of false doctrine
- 2:20–21—Different pots for different purposes
- 2:22–26—Marks of true doctrine
- 3:1–9—Last days filled with sin
- 3:10–17—Stand strong, grounded in the word
- 3:10–13—Persecution will come
- 3:14–15—Timothy is well grounded
- 3:16–17—Scripture equips us
- 4:1–8—Preach the word
- 4:1–5—Be disciplined and diligent in preaching
- 4:6–8—Paul’s ministry is nearing the end
- 4:9–15—Personal instructions to Timothy
- 4:16–18—Benediction
- 4:19–22—Final greetings
No comments:
Post a Comment