This epistle is of peculiar interest to the Christian, inasmuch as it shows us Paul, the devoted servant of the Lord, drawing near to his departure, and calmly reviewing his pilgrimage and service; but he had to lament that all in Asia (including even Ephesus) had turned away from him. He could see that the house (or professed church) of God was in disorder, past recovery as a whole, and could but leave instructions how to depart from evil and to walk with the godly. It is this that characterizes this epistle. Individual faithfulness was to reckon on God, and on the grace of Christ.
Paul writes from Rome, where he is again a prisoner, perhaps about A.D. 68.
2 Tim. 1:1-71Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:1‑7).
Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, by God's will, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy his dearly beloved child, grace, mercy, and peace.
He thanks God, whom he had served from his forefathers with a pure conscience (but not always according to knowledge, as when he persecuted the saints), for his remembrance of Timothy, whose weakness and sensitiveness he considered, and he calls to remembrance the unfeigned faith in Timothy from his maternal ancestors; and desires that he might rekindle the gift that he possessed by the imposition of Paul's own hands.
God had given them the things needed for a time of declension: the Spirit (1) of power, (2) of love, (3) of a wise discretion.
2 Tim. 1:8-128Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: 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. (2 Timothy 1:8‑12). Paul exhorts Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor of Paul His prisoner; but to be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.
Who hath saved us, and called us according to His own purpose and grace given us in Christ Jesus before the ages of time (a sure and immovable foundation for the soul); but now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior, who has annulled death, and brought life and incorruptibility (that condition, of eternal life which puts the soul and the body beyond death and its power) to light by the gospel, whereunto Paul was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher of the nations.
Paul knew whom he had believed, and was persuaded that He was able to keep that which he had committed to Him (as his happiness) against that day (of manifestation).
Timothy is exhorted to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
What he had heard from Paul, in the presence of others, he was to commit to faithful men, who could teach it to others. (This is not a succession of office or authority; but a handing down of truth; the whole of scripture was not then written.)
He must endure hardness (bear evils) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, being disentangled from the affairs of this life. And, as one that contends in the games, he must contend lawfully (spiritually, and not with fleshly energy).
The husbandman must labor before he partakes of the fruits (as Christ's servants labor now; full fruition awaits them).
2 Tim. 2:7-147Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. (2 Timothy 2:7‑14). Timothy is exhorted to consider what Paul had taught; and remember Jesus Christ of the seed of David (a token that the promises were sure: cf. Isa. 55:33Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3); Acts 13:3434And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. (Acts 13:34)), raised from the dead according to Paul's gospel (the pivot of Christianity. The elementary but fundamental lesson of death and resurrection is put before him).
Paul speaks of his sufferings as an evildoer on account of this gospel founded on resurrection. Man will not have that which sets him aside. Hence it was for the elect Paul endured suffering that they might obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is now the time of suffering and death: rest and glory are to come.
The word is faithful. If we have died with Him, we shall live with Him. If we suffer, we shall reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are unfaithful, He abides faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
False doctrine spreads as a gangrene; some were saying that the resurrection had already taken place (as those who spiritualized it and thus virtually denied it).
2 Tim. 2:19-2619Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If 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. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:19‑26). But the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal (God's side), "The Lord knoweth them that are his;" and (man's side) "Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity" (even if the iniquity be in the house of God, as is further explained).
In a large house there are various vessels: some to honor, as of gold and silver and some to dishonor, as of wood and earth. If a man shall purify himself out from among these latter he shall he a vessel unto honor, and be fit for his master to use, and serviceable to every good work. (This is a resemblance of the ruined state of the church as responsible on earth, and points out that which the faithful should avoid in the house.)
Youthful lusts must be avoided, and righteousness, faith, love, peace be followed, in association with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (This is the only true association when iniquity is allowed in God's house)
Exhortations follow. The servant of the Lord should in meekness seek that some might awake up out of the snare of the devil, those who were taken by him for his will.
2 Tim. 3:1-91This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:1‑9).
In the last days there will be perilous or difficult times because of the many evil workers mentioned, who have a form of piety but deny the power of it: they lead captive silly women, laden with sins, who are ever learning, but never able to come to a full knowledge of the truth.
As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, these evil workers withstand the truth. But they shall be stayed, and their folly be made manifest to all.
2 Tim. 3:10-1310But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:10‑13). Paul alludes to his doctrine, his own godly walk, and his sufferings, and adds, " All that desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." But evil men and impostors will advance in evil, leading and being led astray. (There is no hope for Christendom as a whole: what then is the resource in such a state of things?)
2 Tim. 3:14-1714But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14‑17). Timothy was to abide in the things he had learned and been assured of, knowing of whom he had learned them (cf. verse 10), and he is reminded that from a child he had known the sacred letters, which were able to make him wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus: cf Acts 20:3232And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32).
Every scripture is divinely inspired and is profitable for teaching conviction, correction, instruction in righteousness (all that any one can need at every time and under all circumstances) that the man of God may be complete, fully fitted to every good work.
2 Tim. 4:1-121I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. (2 Timothy 4:1‑12).
Timothy is charged before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, to preach the word, be urgent in season, out of season, to convict, rebuke, encourage, with all longsuffering and doctrine. (It is not the “coming” of the Lord for the saints, but the “appearing and kingdom” in this epistle, because of the evil, and also the responsibility of the saints.)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but will turn from the truth unto fables, and will provide for themselves teachers who will gratify their itching ears.
Timothy is exhorted to fill up the full measure of his ministry, for Paul could no longer exercise his, he was already being poured forth (as a libation): his departure was at hand. He had fought the good fight, and had kept the faith. The crown of righteousness is laid up for him, and for all them that love Christ's appearing. (To love Christ's appearing, the time of manifestation and rewards, is a characteristic of Christianity: it will usher in universal blessing.)
2 Tim. 4:16-2216At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. <<The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.>> (2 Timothy 4:16‑22). Paul had made his first defense, but all had forsaken him (as all forsook his Lord), but he prays for them.
Yet the Lord stood by and strengthened him. For the present he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, and able still to make known the gospel. The Lord would deliver him from every evil, and preserve him for His heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory from the ages to the ages. Amen.
Salutations follow, and the benediction.