Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy just before he was slain and it is of very different character from the first one. When the first was written, the assembly was in order and Paul taught Timothy about that order and the maintenance of it. When this letter was written, things had fallen into disorder. So the assembly was seen as a great house of profession with little life. It was a mixture of real and unreal professors, without power to do what is right. The name of the Lord was connected with evil of every kind, resembling the description of the heathen in Rom. 3:10-1910As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:10‑19); it was blasphemy.
The time had come for the believer to separate from this evil, even if he had to walk alone with God. But he did not have to walk alone, because God preserves a remnant, some who faithfully follow Him, at every time. In chapter 2 he instructs Timothy: "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work... but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
The apostle greeted Timothy, his son in the faith, with an outpouring of his warm heart as in no other letter. No one was nearer to Paul than Timothy. He could not open to any other the deep distress of his heart concerning the testimony in its fallen condition. He was sure of Timothy's tears as well, because Timothy was one with him and felt things deeply.
Paul desired to see Timothy that his heart might be filled with joy. Paul was nearly alone now, for all in Asia had forsaken him. Even fellow servants had left him; only Mark, besides Timothy and Luke, was a comfort to him.
Paul rose from his sorrow to instruct Timothy to go on, because the need was greater now and Paul was in prison awaiting his death. Timothy was not to be ashamed of the testimony as other laborers were, and Paul rehearsed the work of Christ who has saved us.
Then he added, "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." All was dark here, but to faith everything was bright up there where he was soon going.
Consider the prophetic words of Isa. 49:3,43And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. (Isaiah 49:3‑4): "And said unto me, Thou art my servant, 0 Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain; yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God."
These words can be ascribed to the Lord Jesus at the time of His death. In principle they can be applied to the Apostle Paul and others. The only consolation in this respect for the laborer is that all the results of the labor will be seen in resurrection. May it be so, Lord Jesus.
The preeminent necessity for Timothy was to "hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me [the apostle], in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus," not only the words but the outline. He insisted that Timothy keep by the Holy Ghost, which dwelt in them, the testimony of the mystery that had been committed to him.
Onesiphorus was a real encouragement to the apostle.