Post by JEM on Oct 2, 2012 0:07:02 GMT
INTRODUCING TIMOTHY
////////////////////////////
Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV. Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 Soft Key Multimedia Inc. All Rights Reserved
Expert Introduction to 1st Timothy
Author
>>>>>>
Both early tradition and the salutations of the Pastoral Letters themselves confirm Paul as their author. Some objections have been raised in recent years on the basis of an alleged uncharacteristic vocabulary and style (e.g., see notes on 1:15; 2:2), but evidence is still convincingly supportive of Paul's authorship.
Background and Purpose
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
During his fourth missionary journey, Paul had instructed Timothy to care for the church at Ephesus (1:3) while he went on to Macedonia (see "The Pastoral Letters"). When he realized that he might not return to Ephesus in the near future (3:14-15), he wrote this first letter to Timothy to develop the charge he had given his young assistant (1:3,18), to refute false teachings (1:3-7; 4:1-8; 6:3-5,20-21) and to supervise the affairs of the growing Ephesian church (church worship, 2:1-15; the appointment of qualified church leaders, 3:1-13; 5:17-25).
A major problem in the Ephesian church was a heresy that combined Gnosticism, decadent Judaism (1:3-7) and false asceticism (4:1-5).
Date
>>>>
1 Timothy was written sometime after the events of Ac 28 (c. 63-65), at least eight years after Paul's three-year stay in Ephesus (Ac 19:8,10; 20:31).
Recipient
>>>>>>>>
As the salutation indicates (1:2), Paul is writing to Timothy, a native of Lystra (in modern Turkey). Timothy's father was Greek, while his mother was a Jewish Christian (Ac 16:1). From childhood he had been taught the OT (2Ti 1:5; 3:15). Paul called him "my true son in the faith" (1:2), perhaps having led him to Christ during his first visit to Lystra. At the time of his second visit Paul invited Timothy to join him on his missionary travels, and circumcised him so that his Greek ancestry would not be a liability in working with the Jews (Acts
16:3). Timothy shared in the evangelization of Macedonia and Achaia (Ac 17:14-15; 18:5) and was with Paul during much of his long preaching ministry at Ephesus (Ac 19:22). He traveled with Paul from Ephesus to Macedonia, to Corinth, back to Macedonia, and to Asia Minor (Ac 20:1-6). He seems even to have accompanied him all the way to Jerusalem. He was with Paul during the apostle's first imprisonment (Php 1:1; Col 1:1; Phm 1).
Following Paul's release (after Ac 28), Timothy again traveled with him but eventually stayed at Ephesus to deal with the problems there, while Paul went on to Macedonia. Paul's closeness to and admiration of Timothy are seen in Paul's naming him as the co-sender of six of his letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1,2 Thessalonians and Philemon) and in his speaking highly of him to the Philippians (Php 2:19-22). At the end of Paul's life he requested Timothy to join him at Rome (2Ti 4:9,21). According to Heb 13:23, Timothy himself was imprisoned and subsequently released--whether at Rome or elsewhere, we do not know.
Timothy was not an apostle, and he was probably not an overseer since he was given instructions about overseers (3:1-7; 5:17-22). It may be best to regard him as an apostolic representative, delegated to carry out special work (see Tit 1:5).
Outline
>>>>>>
I .Salutation (1:1-2)
II. Warning against False Teachers (1:3-11)
A. The Nature of the Heresy (1:3-7)
B. The Purpose of the Law (1:8-11)
III .The Lord's Grace to Paul (1:12-17)
IV .The Purpose of Paul's Instructions to Timothy (1:18-20)
V. Instructions concerning the Administration of the Church (chs. 2-3)
A .Public Worship (ch. 2)
1.Prayer in public worship (2:1-8)
2.Women in public worship (2:9-15)
B. Qualifications for Church Officers (3:1-13)
1.Overseers (3:1-7)
2.Deacons (3:8-13)
C. Purpose of These Instructions (3:14-16)
VI .Methods of Dealing with False Teaching (ch. 4)
A. False Teaching Described (4:1-5)
B .Methods of Dealing with It Explained (4:6-16)
VII .Methods of Dealing with Different Groups in the Church (5:1-6:2)
A. The Older and Younger (5:1-2)
B .Widows (5:3-16)
C. Elders (5:17-25)
D. Slaves (6:1-2)
VIII. Miscellaneous Matters (6:3-19)
A. False Teachers (6:3-5)
B. Love of Money (6:6-10)
C. Charge to Timothy (6:11-16)
D .The Rich (6:17-19)
IX. Concluding Appeal (6:20-21)
1 TIMOTHY: Inspirational Introduction
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The Hardest Job
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Timothy steps into a hornet's nest
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers. 4:12
Who has the most difficult job? A brain surgeon? A trapeze artist who risks death with every leap? A nuclear engineer? Or perhaps an air traffic controller, who determines the safety of thousands of passengers. A number of professions might be nominated as the most difficult of all.
But if the apostle Paul were alive today, to that question he would very likely reply,"Without doubt--a pastor's job is hardest." In contrast to professionals who specialize, a pastor must call upon wide-ranging skills. In a given week a pastor may act as a psychologist, priest, social worker, hospital chaplain, administrator, personnel supervisor, philosopher, and communicator.
Paul was acutely aware of the vital nature of such a job. Churches sprouted up wherever he visited, but whether they survived or failed depended largely on what kind of local leadership developed.
Final Words to a Young Friend
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
To assure that his work would continue, Paul turned more and more to a few loyal friends, especially Timothy and Titus. He wrote them explicit instructions in the three letters that follow, known collectively as "The Pastoral Letters."
Paul wrote 1 Timothy near the end of his life. Rugged years of ministry had passed, years marked by stonings, beatings, jailings, and riots. Paul knew that his age, his enemies, or the increasingly brutal Roman empire would soon catch up with him.
Timothy, a young man, ranked high in Paul's esteem. Converted during Paul's first missionary journey
had over the years gained the apostle's complete trust. When a volcano of discontent rumbled in some distant church like Corinth or Thessalonica, Paul quickly dispatched Timothy to try and prevent an eruption.
"I have no one else like him," Paul once wrote of Timothy. "As a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (Philippians 2:20,22). Through a swarm of controversies, into prison, on the road--wherever Paul went--Timothy loyally followed. Six of Paul's letters begin with the news that Timothy is at his side.
Timothy Becomes a Pastor
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Timothy took on, at Paul's request, that difficult job of heading a local church. The congregation at Ephesus, loose and informal, needed order and a more defined structure. To muddle the scene further, certain members of the church had embraced false doctrines. In this letter, Paul advises his understudy on such matters as worship procedures, the control of unruly women, leadership standards, and policies regarding widows, slaves, and rich people.
Although this book addresses a historical situation from the first century, many problems in the early church--underpaid staff members, a generation gap, an integrity shortage, abuse of social aid, love of money--persist today. A pastor's job description hasn't changed much, or grown any easier, over the centuries.
How to Read 1 Timothy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Despite a weak stomach and timid disposition, Timothy had proved his mettle to Paul in many ways, and Paul wrote this letter to challenge him to a difficult task.
Paul doesn't give many details on the false doctrines Timothy had to combat. These letters, however, include vague hints about super-spiritual living, Jewish genealogies, myths, and fables. Look for the problems Paul alludes to and ask yourself whether they have any modern equivalents.
In his instructions, Paul counseled Timothy to combat heresy not by being forceful and argumentative, but by living an exemplary life and by bringing order to the church. Paul's challenge to live a model life applies directly to us; it remains a powerful prescription for the Christian life
Expert Introduction to 2 Timothy
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Author, Date and Setting
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
After Paul's release from prison in Rome in A.D. 62/63 (Ac 28) and after his fourth missionary journey, during which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul was again imprisoned under Emperor Nero c. 66-67. It was during this time that he wrote 2 Timothy. In contrast to his first imprisonment, when he lived in a rented house (Ac 28:30), he now languished in a cold dungeon (4:13), chained like a common criminal (1:16; 2:9). His friends even had a hard time finding out where he was being kept (1:17). Paul knew that his work was done and his life was nearly at an end (4:6-8).
Reasons for Writing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Paul had three reasons for writing to Timothy at this time:
1. He was lonely. Phygelus and Hermogenes, "everyone in the province of Asia" (1:15), and Demas (4:10) had deserted him. Crescens, Titus and Tychicus were away (4:10-12), and only Luke was with him (4:11). Paul wanted very much for Timothy to join him also. Timothy was his "fellow worker" (Ro 16:21), who "as a son with his father" had served closely with Paul (Php 2:22; see 1Co 4:17). Of him Paul could say, "I have no one else like him" (Php 2:20). Paul longed for Timothy (1:4) and twice asked him to come soon (4:9,21). For more information on Timothy see Introduction to 1 Timothy: Recipient.
2. Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time of persecution under Nero, and he admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel (1:14), to persevere in it (3:14), to keep on preaching it (4:2) and, if necessary, to suffer for it (1:8; 2:3).
3. He wanted to write to the Ephesian church through Timothy (see note on 4:22).
Outline
>>>>>>
I .Introduction (1:1-4)
II .Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
III .Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
III. Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
IV .Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
A. Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
B. Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
V .Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
A. Terrible Times (3:1-9)
B .Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
VI. Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
A. Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
B. Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
VII .Final Requests and Greetings (4:9-22)
2 TIMOTHY: Inspirational Introduction
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Passing the Torch
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The apostle Paul's last known words
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2:2
Every four years the world watches an ancient ritual unfold: the passing of the Olympic torch. The spectacular pageantry of the opening ceremonies cannot begin until the final carrier of the torch arrives in the stadium. The torch symbolically links the modern Olympic Games to their 2,700-year history.
"Passing the torch" has become a familiar phrase, used when the president of General Motors introduces his successor to the public, or when an esteemed orchestra conductor hands over his baton, or a great sports figure tutors her replacement. Often the retiring person delivers an emotional farewell speech. He or she has finished the work; the time has come to pass the torch to another.
Choosing Timothy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As the weary apostle Paul neared certain death, with imprisonment preventing him from traveling, he, too, began to think of a successor. It was time to pass the torch, and he decided on the young man Timothy.
At first glance, shy Timothy hardly seemed an adequate replacement, but Paul had few options. "Everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me," he lamented (1:15). This letter, 2 Timothy, reveals his deep reliance on Timothy's loyal friendship. Life was closing in on the apostle, and he felt a somber sense of abandonment.
At times in this letter, Paul lectures Timothy like a master sergeant, calling on him to stand firm, overcome shame, and hold to the faith. Elsewhere, his tone softens into the fond affirmation of a grateful father. Throughout, the bonds of deep friendship are evident: from Paul recalling Timothy's family heritage (1:5) to his urging Timothy to bring him a heavy coat before winter (4:13,21).
An Emotional Moment
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Paul's moods alternate between sadness and confidence, nostalgia and grave concern. As he wrote this letter, he contemplated the disquieting months ahead and the prospect of young, divided churches left without his guidance. In these, his last known written words, he sought to prepare Timothy for the inevitable day when the message of God would depend on him and other reliable workers (2:2).
Despite his circumstances, Paul's farewell message from behind bars is gracious, even triumphant. The spreading of the gospel is far too big a task to be limited to any one man. "I am ... chained like a criminal," Paul declares, "but God's word is not chained" (2:9).
How to Read 2 Timothy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Second Timothy has proved encouraging to Christian workers throughout history. Paul, facing death, did not wallow in self-pity, but instead used this last communication to inspire and challenge his associate Timothy.
This letter reveals much about Paul's emotional state and physical circumstances. As you read it, look for glimpses into Paul's loneliness and suffering. The apostle tells where he turned for strength when he faced personal trials.
In addition, 2 Timothy gives much valuable counsel to those of us who, like Timothy, have inherited the task of representing Christ on earth. Paul stresses the importance of relying on Scripture and of living a life of discipline. As you read this letter, put yourself in Timothy's place; imagine receiving one last personal letter from your great mentor. What final words of advice does he give?
////////////////////////////
Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV. Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 Soft Key Multimedia Inc. All Rights Reserved
Expert Introduction to 1st Timothy
Author
>>>>>>
Both early tradition and the salutations of the Pastoral Letters themselves confirm Paul as their author. Some objections have been raised in recent years on the basis of an alleged uncharacteristic vocabulary and style (e.g., see notes on 1:15; 2:2), but evidence is still convincingly supportive of Paul's authorship.
Background and Purpose
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
During his fourth missionary journey, Paul had instructed Timothy to care for the church at Ephesus (1:3) while he went on to Macedonia (see "The Pastoral Letters"). When he realized that he might not return to Ephesus in the near future (3:14-15), he wrote this first letter to Timothy to develop the charge he had given his young assistant (1:3,18), to refute false teachings (1:3-7; 4:1-8; 6:3-5,20-21) and to supervise the affairs of the growing Ephesian church (church worship, 2:1-15; the appointment of qualified church leaders, 3:1-13; 5:17-25).
A major problem in the Ephesian church was a heresy that combined Gnosticism, decadent Judaism (1:3-7) and false asceticism (4:1-5).
Date
>>>>
1 Timothy was written sometime after the events of Ac 28 (c. 63-65), at least eight years after Paul's three-year stay in Ephesus (Ac 19:8,10; 20:31).
Recipient
>>>>>>>>
As the salutation indicates (1:2), Paul is writing to Timothy, a native of Lystra (in modern Turkey). Timothy's father was Greek, while his mother was a Jewish Christian (Ac 16:1). From childhood he had been taught the OT (2Ti 1:5; 3:15). Paul called him "my true son in the faith" (1:2), perhaps having led him to Christ during his first visit to Lystra. At the time of his second visit Paul invited Timothy to join him on his missionary travels, and circumcised him so that his Greek ancestry would not be a liability in working with the Jews (Acts
16:3). Timothy shared in the evangelization of Macedonia and Achaia (Ac 17:14-15; 18:5) and was with Paul during much of his long preaching ministry at Ephesus (Ac 19:22). He traveled with Paul from Ephesus to Macedonia, to Corinth, back to Macedonia, and to Asia Minor (Ac 20:1-6). He seems even to have accompanied him all the way to Jerusalem. He was with Paul during the apostle's first imprisonment (Php 1:1; Col 1:1; Phm 1).
Following Paul's release (after Ac 28), Timothy again traveled with him but eventually stayed at Ephesus to deal with the problems there, while Paul went on to Macedonia. Paul's closeness to and admiration of Timothy are seen in Paul's naming him as the co-sender of six of his letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1,2 Thessalonians and Philemon) and in his speaking highly of him to the Philippians (Php 2:19-22). At the end of Paul's life he requested Timothy to join him at Rome (2Ti 4:9,21). According to Heb 13:23, Timothy himself was imprisoned and subsequently released--whether at Rome or elsewhere, we do not know.
Timothy was not an apostle, and he was probably not an overseer since he was given instructions about overseers (3:1-7; 5:17-22). It may be best to regard him as an apostolic representative, delegated to carry out special work (see Tit 1:5).
Outline
>>>>>>
I .Salutation (1:1-2)
II. Warning against False Teachers (1:3-11)
A. The Nature of the Heresy (1:3-7)
B. The Purpose of the Law (1:8-11)
III .The Lord's Grace to Paul (1:12-17)
IV .The Purpose of Paul's Instructions to Timothy (1:18-20)
V. Instructions concerning the Administration of the Church (chs. 2-3)
A .Public Worship (ch. 2)
1.Prayer in public worship (2:1-8)
2.Women in public worship (2:9-15)
B. Qualifications for Church Officers (3:1-13)
1.Overseers (3:1-7)
2.Deacons (3:8-13)
C. Purpose of These Instructions (3:14-16)
VI .Methods of Dealing with False Teaching (ch. 4)
A. False Teaching Described (4:1-5)
B .Methods of Dealing with It Explained (4:6-16)
VII .Methods of Dealing with Different Groups in the Church (5:1-6:2)
A. The Older and Younger (5:1-2)
B .Widows (5:3-16)
C. Elders (5:17-25)
D. Slaves (6:1-2)
VIII. Miscellaneous Matters (6:3-19)
A. False Teachers (6:3-5)
B. Love of Money (6:6-10)
C. Charge to Timothy (6:11-16)
D .The Rich (6:17-19)
IX. Concluding Appeal (6:20-21)
1 TIMOTHY: Inspirational Introduction
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The Hardest Job
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Timothy steps into a hornet's nest
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers. 4:12
Who has the most difficult job? A brain surgeon? A trapeze artist who risks death with every leap? A nuclear engineer? Or perhaps an air traffic controller, who determines the safety of thousands of passengers. A number of professions might be nominated as the most difficult of all.
But if the apostle Paul were alive today, to that question he would very likely reply,"Without doubt--a pastor's job is hardest." In contrast to professionals who specialize, a pastor must call upon wide-ranging skills. In a given week a pastor may act as a psychologist, priest, social worker, hospital chaplain, administrator, personnel supervisor, philosopher, and communicator.
Paul was acutely aware of the vital nature of such a job. Churches sprouted up wherever he visited, but whether they survived or failed depended largely on what kind of local leadership developed.
Final Words to a Young Friend
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
To assure that his work would continue, Paul turned more and more to a few loyal friends, especially Timothy and Titus. He wrote them explicit instructions in the three letters that follow, known collectively as "The Pastoral Letters."
Paul wrote 1 Timothy near the end of his life. Rugged years of ministry had passed, years marked by stonings, beatings, jailings, and riots. Paul knew that his age, his enemies, or the increasingly brutal Roman empire would soon catch up with him.
Timothy, a young man, ranked high in Paul's esteem. Converted during Paul's first missionary journey
had over the years gained the apostle's complete trust. When a volcano of discontent rumbled in some distant church like Corinth or Thessalonica, Paul quickly dispatched Timothy to try and prevent an eruption.
"I have no one else like him," Paul once wrote of Timothy. "As a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (Philippians 2:20,22). Through a swarm of controversies, into prison, on the road--wherever Paul went--Timothy loyally followed. Six of Paul's letters begin with the news that Timothy is at his side.
Timothy Becomes a Pastor
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Timothy took on, at Paul's request, that difficult job of heading a local church. The congregation at Ephesus, loose and informal, needed order and a more defined structure. To muddle the scene further, certain members of the church had embraced false doctrines. In this letter, Paul advises his understudy on such matters as worship procedures, the control of unruly women, leadership standards, and policies regarding widows, slaves, and rich people.
Although this book addresses a historical situation from the first century, many problems in the early church--underpaid staff members, a generation gap, an integrity shortage, abuse of social aid, love of money--persist today. A pastor's job description hasn't changed much, or grown any easier, over the centuries.
How to Read 1 Timothy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Despite a weak stomach and timid disposition, Timothy had proved his mettle to Paul in many ways, and Paul wrote this letter to challenge him to a difficult task.
Paul doesn't give many details on the false doctrines Timothy had to combat. These letters, however, include vague hints about super-spiritual living, Jewish genealogies, myths, and fables. Look for the problems Paul alludes to and ask yourself whether they have any modern equivalents.
In his instructions, Paul counseled Timothy to combat heresy not by being forceful and argumentative, but by living an exemplary life and by bringing order to the church. Paul's challenge to live a model life applies directly to us; it remains a powerful prescription for the Christian life
Expert Introduction to 2 Timothy
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Author, Date and Setting
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
After Paul's release from prison in Rome in A.D. 62/63 (Ac 28) and after his fourth missionary journey, during which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul was again imprisoned under Emperor Nero c. 66-67. It was during this time that he wrote 2 Timothy. In contrast to his first imprisonment, when he lived in a rented house (Ac 28:30), he now languished in a cold dungeon (4:13), chained like a common criminal (1:16; 2:9). His friends even had a hard time finding out where he was being kept (1:17). Paul knew that his work was done and his life was nearly at an end (4:6-8).
Reasons for Writing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Paul had three reasons for writing to Timothy at this time:
1. He was lonely. Phygelus and Hermogenes, "everyone in the province of Asia" (1:15), and Demas (4:10) had deserted him. Crescens, Titus and Tychicus were away (4:10-12), and only Luke was with him (4:11). Paul wanted very much for Timothy to join him also. Timothy was his "fellow worker" (Ro 16:21), who "as a son with his father" had served closely with Paul (Php 2:22; see 1Co 4:17). Of him Paul could say, "I have no one else like him" (Php 2:20). Paul longed for Timothy (1:4) and twice asked him to come soon (4:9,21). For more information on Timothy see Introduction to 1 Timothy: Recipient.
2. Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time of persecution under Nero, and he admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel (1:14), to persevere in it (3:14), to keep on preaching it (4:2) and, if necessary, to suffer for it (1:8; 2:3).
3. He wanted to write to the Ephesian church through Timothy (see note on 4:22).
Outline
>>>>>>
I .Introduction (1:1-4)
II .Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
III .Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
III. Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
IV .Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
A. Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
B. Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
V .Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
A. Terrible Times (3:1-9)
B .Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
VI. Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
A. Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
B. Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
VII .Final Requests and Greetings (4:9-22)
2 TIMOTHY: Inspirational Introduction
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Passing the Torch
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The apostle Paul's last known words
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2:2
Every four years the world watches an ancient ritual unfold: the passing of the Olympic torch. The spectacular pageantry of the opening ceremonies cannot begin until the final carrier of the torch arrives in the stadium. The torch symbolically links the modern Olympic Games to their 2,700-year history.
"Passing the torch" has become a familiar phrase, used when the president of General Motors introduces his successor to the public, or when an esteemed orchestra conductor hands over his baton, or a great sports figure tutors her replacement. Often the retiring person delivers an emotional farewell speech. He or she has finished the work; the time has come to pass the torch to another.
Choosing Timothy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As the weary apostle Paul neared certain death, with imprisonment preventing him from traveling, he, too, began to think of a successor. It was time to pass the torch, and he decided on the young man Timothy.
At first glance, shy Timothy hardly seemed an adequate replacement, but Paul had few options. "Everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me," he lamented (1:15). This letter, 2 Timothy, reveals his deep reliance on Timothy's loyal friendship. Life was closing in on the apostle, and he felt a somber sense of abandonment.
At times in this letter, Paul lectures Timothy like a master sergeant, calling on him to stand firm, overcome shame, and hold to the faith. Elsewhere, his tone softens into the fond affirmation of a grateful father. Throughout, the bonds of deep friendship are evident: from Paul recalling Timothy's family heritage (1:5) to his urging Timothy to bring him a heavy coat before winter (4:13,21).
An Emotional Moment
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Paul's moods alternate between sadness and confidence, nostalgia and grave concern. As he wrote this letter, he contemplated the disquieting months ahead and the prospect of young, divided churches left without his guidance. In these, his last known written words, he sought to prepare Timothy for the inevitable day when the message of God would depend on him and other reliable workers (2:2).
Despite his circumstances, Paul's farewell message from behind bars is gracious, even triumphant. The spreading of the gospel is far too big a task to be limited to any one man. "I am ... chained like a criminal," Paul declares, "but God's word is not chained" (2:9).
How to Read 2 Timothy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Second Timothy has proved encouraging to Christian workers throughout history. Paul, facing death, did not wallow in self-pity, but instead used this last communication to inspire and challenge his associate Timothy.
This letter reveals much about Paul's emotional state and physical circumstances. As you read it, look for glimpses into Paul's loneliness and suffering. The apostle tells where he turned for strength when he faced personal trials.
In addition, 2 Timothy gives much valuable counsel to those of us who, like Timothy, have inherited the task of representing Christ on earth. Paul stresses the importance of relying on Scripture and of living a life of discipline. As you read this letter, put yourself in Timothy's place; imagine receiving one last personal letter from your great mentor. What final words of advice does he give?