Saint Paul found himself in prison, about to be executed. Nevertheless, in Second Timothy he encouraged Timothy to continue with his ministry and to persevere amid the many challenges the churches of that time faced. The proverbial mantle was about to be passed on to him, and Paul instructed his young co-worker on the key challenges before him and how to address them.
Authorship and Date
Like First Timothy, some scholars do not consider Second Timothy to be an authentic Pauline Epistle. They claim there are stylistic differences between Second Timothy and undisputed Pauline letters such as Romans, First, and Second Corinthians, and Galatians, indicating that another author wrote the follow-up letter to Timothy. In addition, it has been highlighted that the letter contains references to heresies and organizational structures that were likely not known in the time Paul lived.
Other scholars, however, argue that the self-identification in the letter and the personal details shared align with other authentic letters by Paul. In addition, the theological concerns of the epistle are consistent with what Paul wrote to other churches. Some Church Fathers, like Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian, accepted Second Timothy as Pauline.
If Paul authored the letter, it must have been between 64 and 67 CE and likely closer to the latter part of that range. He was likely in prison in Rome for the second time.
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Historical Context
If Second Timothy is authentically Pauline, it was written shortly before Paul’s execution in Rome. In the letter, Paul refers to his expected death in Second Timothy 4:6 when he says: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” As such, Second Timothy is likely the last epistle Paul wrote.
Externally, Roman and Jewish authorities persecuted Christian communities, and they suffered as a result. Internally, there were issues in the churches relating to its organizational structures and offices and false teachings that threatened to divide the church. Paul, knowing he would not be able to guide the church much longer due to his circumstances and likely execution, charges Timothy to address the issues the churches faced and to carry on with the work he started (Second Timothy 4:1-5).
Structure
Salutation (Second Timothy 1:1-2)
The author identifies himself as Paul, the apostle of Jesus, and uses the familiar Pauline greeting of grace and peace as all the authentic Pauline epistles do.
Encouragement (Second Timothy 1:3-2:13)
Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm in his ministry and asks him not to be afraid of the challenges he may face.
Christian Purity and Avoiding False Teaching (Second Timothy 2:14-26)
Like the first letter to Timothy, Paul again warns against false teaching and instructs Timothy on how to deal with the issue and those who are responsible for it.
Challenges in the Last Days and Christian Response (Second Timothy 3:14:5)
Paul highlights what Timothy and the church can expect in the last days and how people will conduct themselves. He then educates Timothy on the appropriate response to these challenges. He charges Timothy to eagerly pursue his ministry.
Paul’s Awareness of His End (Second Timothy 4:6-8)
Paul shares with Timothy that he will die soon and even encourages Timothy while sharing his expected fate. He sets himself as an example to Timothy in conduct and endurance.
Instructions (Second Timothy 4:9-18)
Paul gives instructions on what he wants Timothy to do and brings along as he calls on Timothy to come to him. Paul shares where his ministry stands on other co-workers who either left him or whom Paul sent on missions on his behalf.
Greetings (Second Timothy 4:19-22)
Paul asks Timothy to greet specific individuals on his behalf and bids Timothy grace.
Main Themes
Steadfastness in Ministry
Paul, writing from difficult circumstances, encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his ministry and to fight the good fight the way Paul has. He advises Timothy to anchor himself in biblical principles and teachings and to teach the same to others to avoid wicked influences. He also encourages Timothy not to be fearful of facing adversity.
False Teaching
Paul highlights the wickedness of “the last days” and lays out the characteristics of people at that time. He implies that the challenges that Timothy will face will come from outside the faith community and also within. People wishing to promote themselves will infiltrate the church and lead others astray by twisting what the Bible teaches.
Key Passages
Second Timothy 2:11-13
“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself.”
These verses address the importance of spiritual union with Christ. Those who have laid down their lives by faith will also live by faith. It promises victory for those who endure and warns of the danger of apostasy. It serves as encouragement and gives hope by highlighting the faithfulness of God.
Second Timothy 3:1-5
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Paul extensively describes the character many people will have in the last days. Though there have been people with these attributes in all ages, from a Christian perspective, it seemed as if these traits had become more common in the last decades. The guidance Paul gives is to avoid such people. In his letter to Timothy, he does not explain how his advice aligns with evangelizing without discrimination.
Second Timothy 3:12-13
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
In contemporary society, many pastors preach a form of prosperity religion that seems to absolve the believer from all struggles. This verse from Second Timothy, among many others, dispels such a notion. It is one example of false teaching prevalent in the first century that still applies today.
Second Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
These verses are foundational to a Christian understanding of the reliability and validity of the message of scripture. Although humans did the writing, for Christians the messages of scripture reflect the inspired word of God through the Holy Spirit. As such, it is the source for equipping and completing the believer.
When Paul wrote, the New Testament did not yet exist. Therefore, his comment pertains to the Old Testament specifically, though it would not be unreasonable to apply it to the canon of scripture as we have it today.
Second Timothy 4:18
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
As is evident from Second Timothy 4:6-7, Paul knew the Romans would execute him in due course. Yet, his attitude toward his imminent fate is reflected in what this verse says and expresses his belief that death is not the final destination. He considered death a rescue and a gateway to God’s heavenly kingdom. Hope for the resurrection of the dead and eternal life, as he detailed in First Corinthians 15:51-54, provided Paul the strength to encourage Timothy amid his impending doom.
Contemporary Relevance
Second Timothy encourages Paul’s young apprentice to persevere during troublesome times and persecution. This message resonates with many believers who believe there is an onslaught on the Christian faith. They experience societal pressures or are going through personal struggles.
The instructions to Timothy to guard the faith against false teachings and imposters are as applicable today as at any time in the past. There are exponentially more erroneous teachings within Christianity today than when Paul wrote this epistle. The need to properly equip workers in the church who can address these challenges is clear. The call on Timothy to do so remains valid for leaders and educators in Christian circles worldwide.
The description Second Timothy provides of the zeitgeist expected in the end time seems recognizable in the world today. That makes the warnings and instructions Paul gave Timothy in this epistle applicable to our day.
The encouragement Paul gives to Timothy applies to a modern context. Many Christians today need the encouragement Paul gave Timothy and find comfort in reading and studying this letter.
