2 Timothy Foreword

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This is the last of Paul's letters. Here he pours out his heart to Timothy, his "beloved son."

CHAPTER 1: EXHORTATION TO TIMOTHY
v.2 Paul again adds "mercy" to grace and peace in the salutation.
v.3 Paul had great power in prayer.
v.4 Timothy had been in tears at the thought of Paul's approaching execution.
v.6 Timothy's gift was declared by the word of prophecy, when hands were laid on him in prayer.
v.7 Timothy had probably become fearful about the exercise of his gift.
v.9 God has saved and called us-not because of our worthiness, but because of His grace.
v.11 A preacher proclaims the truth to those who don't know it. Preaching is for sinners. Teaching is for those who already know the truth of the Gospel, who need information on doctrine and how to live the Christian walk.
v.15 "Asia" refers to the peninsula we know as Asia Minor (Turkey), that area around Ephesus.
False teachers had led the young Christians into the bondage of legalism and away from Paul's teachings of grace.

CHAPTER 2: FOUR FAITHFUL SAYINGS
v.2 This is the method by which the Gospel is to be communicated.
v.3-4 If we become entangled with the affairs of daily life, the things of God can be choked out (Mark 4:18-19).
v.6 We cannot minister if we haven't first received from God ourselves.
v.8 The Resurrection is central to the message of the Gospel.
v.11-13 Paul gives four "faithful sayings":
1. If we're dead with Christ, we'll also live with Him. Our physical bodies may die, but our spirits will go to our new heavenly bodies (John 11:26).
2. If we suffer, we'll also reign with Him. Paul was suffering for Christ at the time he wrote this letter (Romans 8:18; Hebrews 11:25-26).
3. If we deny Him, He'll deny us (Luke 12:8-9).
4. We might not believe in Christ, but He is still who He is, and He'll faithfully perform what He's said He will.
v.14 Paul told Timothy to remind the Christians of these faithful sayings, so they wouldn't get involved in disputes over spiritual terminology.
v.17-18 Paul also mentioned Hymenaeus in 1 Timothy 1:20 as a man he turned over to Satan. False teachings eat into men's souls like a canker worm.
v.21 Sanctified means "set apart." We want to be set apart for our Master's use.
v.26 Many people aren't free to see the truth of the Gospel, because they're captives of Satan who has blinded their eyes.

CHAPTER 3: THE LAST DAYS
v.1-7 These verses describe people in the world today.
v.8-9 Jannes and Jambres are thought to be two of the magicians who tried to defeat Moses in Pharaoh's court.
v.12 Christians suffer persecution for Christ, because the world is hostile to God.
v.16-17 Scriptures must be read in context in order to receive the benefits Paul lists here.

CHAPTER 4: THE CHARGE TO TIMOTHY
v.1 Christ will judge the nations when He sets up His Kingdom.
v.2 The work of the minister is to reprove, rebuke, and exhort when necessary.
v.6-8 Paul knew he'd be executed soon, and this might be his last chance to encourage Timothy in the ministry.
v.11 This is the same Mark who deserted Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. He was the cause of their disagreement and parting of ways. Now Paul has forgiven Mark and considers him a profitable servant of God.
v.13 The "cloke" is Paul's coat.
v.14-15 Paul warns Timothy to beware of Alexander.
v.16 At Paul's first appearance before Caesar none of his friends stood by him for moral support.
v.17 Jesus is the faithful friend who stands with us when everyone else forsakes us.
v.19 Priscilla and Aquila had been Paul's friends since the early days of his ministry.