THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY--NT SURVEY

THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY

Introduction:

“That this epistle was written to Timothy, while he was at Ephesus, where the apostle in his former epistle had desired him to stay, is evident from his making mention of some persons in it, who were Ephesians; as Onesiphorus, whom he commends, and Alexander the coppersmith, of whom he complains: and that this epistle was written by the apostle, when he was at Rome, is no less evident; for he expressly calls himself a prisoner, 2 Timothy 1:8, and speaks of being then in trouble, and in bonds, 2 Timothy 2:9-10, and the persons that send their salutations in it to Timothy were Romans, 2 Timothy 4:21, but at what time it was written is not so certain: it seems by 2 Timothy 4:7 that it was but a little time before his martyrdom.” --- John Gill’s Expositor.

Writer: The apostle Paul.

Object of the Epistle:

1) He was anxious to see his disciple Timothy, before his death, and that Timothy should bring Mark with him, 2 Timothy 1:4; 4:9, 11, 21.

2) Feeling how uncertain it was whether Timothy should arrive in time, he felt it necessary, also, to give him by letter a last warning as to the heresies, the germs of which were then being scattered in the Churches.

3) He writes a series of exhortations to faithfulness, and zeal for sound doctrine, and patience amidst trials: a charge which Timothy seems to have needed, if we are to judge from the apostle’s earnestness in urging him to boldness in Christ’s cause, as though Paul thought he saw in him some signs of constitutional timidity, 2 Timothy 2:2-8; 4:1-5; 1Timothy 5:22-23. --- Jamieson, Fausset, Brown.

Historical Occasion: It is generally believed that Paul suffered two imprisonments at Rome, and that it was during the second that this epistle was written. Formerly he had had a certain degree of liberty and lived in his own hired house, Acts 28:30. At that time he had been accessible to his friends, but now he is in close confinement and Onesiphorus had difficulty in finding him, 2 Timothy 1:17. He had been deserted by many of his former associates, 2 Timothy 1:15, and was expecting very soon to be led out to execution, 2 Timothy 4:6. There is a pathetic strain of loneliness running through the epistle, and it is not surprising that he was anxious to see his beloved Timothy.

Peculiarities of the Epistle: Both epistles to Timothy contain urgent exhortations. It has been surmised that Timothy was not robust, 2 Timothy 5:23. Perhaps he was temperamentally timid, 2 Timothy 1:6-7.Hence the word "ashamed" appears prominently in the epistle. He was urged not to be ashamed of his testimony, his prisoner friend, 2 Timothy 1:8, or his workmanship, 2 Timothy 2:15. He was exhorted to regard himself as a soldier in the midst of a hard campaign, 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

Synopsis:

I. The Apostle’s Greeting, 1:1-18.

A. The affectionate greeting, 2 Timothy 1:1-4.

B. A reminder to Timothy of his godly ancestry, and an exhortation to earnestness and courage, 2 Timothy 1:5-8.

1. Paul sees Genuine faith in Timothy, v. 5.

NOTE: “This is to be understood of the grace of faith, which was implanted in the heart of Timothy by the Spirit of God, and was genuine and sincere; he believed with the heart unto righteousness; his faith worked by love to God, and Christ, and to his people, and was attended with good works.” --- John Gill’s Expositor.

2. Paul encourages Timothy to “stir up” his ministerial gift that qualifies men for the ministry, vv. 6-8.

C. A reference to salvation and a “holy calling” according to His purpose, 2 Timothy 1:9-10.

1. A calling to Consecrated Service, “the upward calling,” v. 9; Philippians 3:14.

2. The Lord has turned the Light of the Gospel on Life and Immortality, v. 10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 1:18.

D. Personal allusions to the writer’s Own Call to the work, and his Unswerving Confidence in the Lord, 2 Timothy 1:11-12.

1. I am appointed a Preacher, an Apostle and a Teacher, v. 11; 1 Timothy 2:7.

2. I know whom I have trusted, v. 12;

3. He is able to guard my deposit; literally, "my deposit," as in a bank, the bank of heaven which no burglar can break, Matthew 6:19.

E. A second exhortation, 2 Timothy 1:13-14.

1. Hold Fast the Pattern of Sound Words, v. 13; 1 Timothy 1:16.

2. Hold Fast that “Good Deposit” which was Committed unto thee, v. 14; 1 Timothy 6:20.

F. A reference to the Disloyalty of some in Asia, and a commendation of the Faithfulness of Onesiphorus, 2 Timothy 1:15-18.

II. The Pathway of an Approved Servant in a Day of Apostasy, 2:1-26.

A. As a Spiritual Soldier, Athlete and Husbandman:

1. To be Strong in the Grace of God and Select Faithful Helpers, 2 Timothy 2:1-2.

2. To manifest Soldierly Qualities of Endurance and Separation from worldly entanglements, 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

3. As a Spiritual Athlete to Keep the Rules of the game, 2 Timothy 2:5.

1d) As a Husbandman Expecting Fruits, 2 Timothy 2:6.

B. Truths to be kept in mind:

1. The Resurrection of Christ, the preaching of which had led to Paul’s imprisonment, 2 Timothy 2:7-9.

2. Suffering and Dying with Christ lead to Spiritual Honor, 2 Timothy 2:9-12.

C. Counsels in Respect to Dealing with Heresy and Controversy.

1. By earnest Admonitions to the Contentious, 2 Timothy 2:14.

2. By Seeking to Become a Skilful Expositor of the Truth, 2 Timothy 2:15.

a. Give diligence to be approved of God.

NOTE: Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God. --- John Gill’s Expositor.

b. Handling correctly the word of truth; literally, cutting "straight" or "right": the metaphor being from a father or a steward,1 Corinthians 4:1; cutting and distributing bread among his children, Luke 12:42.

3. By Shunning Strange Doctrines which eat into spiritual life and overthrow faith, 2 Timothy 2:16-18; Titus 3:9.

4. Remembering this: 2 Timothy 2:19.

a. Notwithstanding the subversion of their faith, “the firm foundation of God standeth” fast.

b. That Christians must separate themselves from evil,

5. By remembering that the church, like a great house, has some vessels of honor and some of dishonor, and it should be the ambition of all to be vessels “meet for the Master’s use,” 2 Timothy 2:20-21.

D. Counsels Regarding Personal Desires and Dealing with Strife.

1. The importance of personal purity and spiritual ambitions, 2 Timothy 2:22.

2. The necessity of avoiding foolish questions and strife, 2 Timothy 2:23-26.

a. By patient treatment of the opposition.

b. With the hope that they will repent.

III. Apostasy and the Word, 3:1-17.

A. The various Evil Characteristics of men in the Last Days:

1. Who under the Guise of religion will practice Sensuality, 2 Timothy 3:1-6.

2. Their Stupidity and Folly will one day be Manifest to all men, 2 Timothy 3:7-9.

B. Paul declares that God gave Deliverance from all Persecution, 2 Timothy 3:11-12.

C. A prediction that sin would advance unto more ungodliness, 2 Timothy 3:13; Genesis 6:5.

D. An appeal to Timothy to continue in the Doctrines of the Gospel that he had learned at the hands of the Apostle and others, 2 Timothy 3:14-15.

E. The Power of the Inspired Word of God, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

NOTE: “That is, all holy Scripture; for of that only the apostle is speaking; and he means the whole of it; not only the books of the Old Testament, but of the New, the greatest part of which was now written; for this second epistle to Timothy is by some thought to be the last of Paul’s epistles; and this also will hold good of what was to be written; for all is inspired by God, or breathed by him: the Scriptures are the breath of God, the word of God and not men.” --- John Gill’s Expositor.

1. The Power to Equip God’s worker, v. 16.

a. Is profitable for doctrine; for the discovering, illustrating, and confirming any doctrine concerning God, the being, persons, and perfections of God; concerning the creation and fall of man; concerning the person and offices of Christ, redemption by him, justification by his righteousness, pardon by his blood, reconciliation and atonement by his sacrifice, and eternal life through him, with many others.

b. For reproof; of errors and heresies; this is the sword of the Spirit, which cuts all down.

c. For reproof; of errors and heresies; this is the sword of the Spirit, which cuts all down.

d. For instruction in righteousness; in every branch of duty incumbent upon men; whether with respect to God, or one another. --- John Gill’s Expositor.

2. The Power to Perfect the Christian worker for his task, v. 17.

NOTE: “The man of God is perfectly accoutred [equipped] out of Scripture for his work, whether he be a minister (compare 2 Timothy 4:2 with 2 Timothy 3:16) or a spiritual layman. No oral tradition is needed to be added.” --- Jamieson, Fausset, Brown.

IV. A Faithful Servant and His Faithful Lord, 4:1-22.

A. The Solemn Charge:

1. Concerning Faithfulness in Preaching the Word, 2 Timothy 4:1-2.

2. Predictions of a time when men would despise the truth, 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

3. The exhortation to an earnest and faithful ministry, 2 Timothy 4:5.

a. To fulfill their ministry, Acts 12:25; Colossians 4:17.

b. To fully preach the Gospel, Romans 15:19.

B. The close of the Apostle Paul’s Career.

1. It ends in the Spirit of Victory, 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

2. It ends in Perfect Confidence in the Lord, 2 Timothy 4:17-18.

C. The Need of Companionship and some things to relieve the hardships of imprisonment:

1. The Loneliness caused by the departure of friends and the desertion of inconstant associates, 2 Timothy 4:10-12, 16.

2. Some comforts needed to cheer the prison life, 2 Timothy 4:13.

NOTE: “Carpus—a faithful friend to have been entrusted with so precious deposits. The mention of his ‘cloak,’ so far from being unworthy of inspiration, is one of those graphic touches which sheds a flood of light on the last scene of Paul’s life, on the confines of two worlds; in this wanting a cloak to cover him from the winter cold, in that covered with the righteousness of saints, "clothed upon with his house from heaven. So the inner vesture and outer garment of Jesus, Paul’s master, are suggestive of most instructive thought, John 19:2. --- Jamieson, Fausset, Brown.

3. Timothy urged to come quickly, 2 Timothy 4:9, 21.

4. Final greetings and benediction, 2 Timothy 4:19-22.