Overview of 2 Timothy

Traditionally, 2 Timothy said to have been written shortly before Paul’s death. This would place it between 65-69 CE and Paul’s last letter to Timothy. Like 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy is a disputed letter and so those who argue it was written after Paul’s death would also place it around the early 100s CE.

Assuming it was written by Paul to Timothy, Timothy is still leading the church in Ephesus.

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13 - Remain steadfast in ministry

• 2 Timothy 1 - Paul’s gratitude and encouragement for Timothy
• 2 Timothy 2:1-13 - Find strength in grace

2 Timothy 2:14-4:5 - Prepare for the challenges in ministry

• 2 Timothy 2:14-26 - Attitudes and behaviours to avoid
• 2 Timothy 3:1-9 - Warning about godlessness
• 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5 - Paul’s challenge to Timothy

2 Timothy 4:6-22 - Closing thoughts

The main focus of the letter is Paul encouraging Timothy in the ministry. If Paul is on his deathbed, then he wants to make sure that the ministry of the gospel continues beyond him.

This involves encouraging Timothy in his role as a teacher, fending off false teaching that keeps entering the church, and encouraging Timothy in his own walk. There is spiritual growth for Timothy to continue to pursue, and behaviours that Timothy should continue to avoid if he is to remain faithful in the ministry.

2 Timothy 1-2

Paul opens with greetings and gives thanks for Timothy. Paul prays for Timothy constantly and desperately wants to see him again.

He reflects on the faith that Timothy has shown since he was young, that he received from his month and grandmother. Paul encourages Timothy to not let that faith die but, continue to fan it into flame.

It is believed that Timothy might have been a more timid leader, and so Paul encourages him that this timidity is not from God. Instead, God has given him power and authority, that is also to be tempered with love and self-discipline.

Because of this power and authority, Timothy should not shy away from his ministry. Instead, like Paul, he should lean into the struggles of ministry, trusting in the power of God, who not only saved both Paul and Timothy, but called them into the ministry they are now doing.

This isn’t because of any great works that Paul or Timothy have done, but because of God’s purpose and grace. This would likely have been an encouragement to Timothy, who might have been feeling unqualified for this role. It’s not about being qualified, it’s about God’s will.

Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of the gospel. Jesus died and was raised to life to destroy death and bring life through the gospel. It’s this gospel that Paul was called to and is why he is wiling to suffer as he does.

Paul is not ashamed, timid, or doubtful, because his trust is not in his own ability but in Jesus. Paul is confident that Jesus will protect him and see him through.

So likewise, Timothy should hold to what he has been taught by Paul. He should protect the gifts God has given him and continue in the ministry.

Paul then gives an update on himself. Most of Asia have turned away from him, rejecting him. Onesiphorus has continued to be good to Paul, often visiting him in Rome to support him, so Paul prays a blessing over Onesiphorus.

We then turn back to Timothy with a new encouragement. Timothy is to be strong in the grace of Jesus. To be like a solder, an athlete, and a farmer. Soldiers suffer. They don’t get caught up in day-to-day affairs but do everything out of obedience to please their commanding officer.

Athletes compete according to the rules. That’s the official rules of the sport, but the unofficial rules of training. A sprinter can’t eat McDonald's all day and do no training and expect to be competitive. Athletes must follow strict diets and training regimens in order to be good at what they do.

And farmers are faithful in their work knowing that things don’t happen straight away but come in seasons. They work hard for a long time knowing they won’t see anything at first but trusting that their faithful work will produce a harvest they can one day enjoy.

Paul then reminds Timothy of the motivation for his ministry. Jesus, the promised king, rose from the dead. Paul will happily go through many hardships to see that gospel spread and see others saved in Jesus.

He then quotes a short hymn that was likely formed from Jesus’ words that we read in Matthew 10:32-33. But the final point is this, even where Timothy or others fail, Jesus will still prevail because he is faithful to his kingdom.

Next, Paul moves into encouraging Timothy in the ministry itself and the challenges he will face. Timothy and other leaders should avoid getting caught up in useless arguments. Instead, Timothy should seek to live inline with the gospel he has been charged with.

This involves living in a way that doesn’t lead to Timothy being ashamed, and in being accurate and correct in his teaching of the gospel.

Again, Paul encourages Timothy do avoid unhelpful chatter and arguments that cause issues to spread quickly through the church. He points to the examples of Hymenaeus (who we read about in 1 Timothy 1:20) and Philetus, who have been claiming the resurrection has already happened.

It is likely that these two had fallen into the trap of hyper-spirituality, and were teaching that there was no physical resurrection but a spiritual resurrection that had already been achieved.

It was then the responsibility of believers to achieve this enlightenment by following strict ways of living and believing certain things so that they could be with Jesus in spirit. All of this, disappointingly, is what the majority of Christians believe in now, that you live a good life now so that you can one day go be with Jesus in spirit.

This is not the gospel that we’ve been reading, however, that seeks to see the kingdom of God restored on earth and one day we will be bodily resurrected to live in this new restored kingdom.

Paul then quotes Numbers 16:5 when God clearly demonstrated he was with Moses, not Korah. In the same way, God will clearly demonstrate who are true leaders and teachers, and who are not.

We then get the metaphor of utensils in a home. In Greco-Roman homes, there would have been special utensils of gold and silver that were used on special occasions for special purposes, and then there were the everyday, common wood and clay ones.

Today, the equivalent might be special china plates and bowels that come out on special occasions.

Paul’s point is just as those special utensils are properly cared for and not given to everyday use, believers should treat themselves as special, not giving themselves to things that will tarnish them.

For Paul, this includes youthful passions, stupid and senseless controversies, and quarrels. Instead, believers should pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. They should be good teachers, correcting their opponents not with clever arguments but with gentleness.

Psalm 19

This psalm is attributed to king David and falls into the category of wisdom psalm. These psalms focus primarily on sharing wisdom with the reader and often preference the Torah or God’s law (the scriptures).

Psalm 19:1-2 - Nature declares God’s glory

Psalm 19:7-11 - Scripture declares God’s goodness

Psalm 19:12-14 - The psalmist ponders how their life declares God’s praise

The psalmist opens with a powerful truth. All creation declares God’s glory. It is constantly calling out as an example of his handiwork.

While this creation may not have words to speak, its message is clear. There is a creator, God. Perhaps the pinnacle of God’s creation is the sun, as it provides life and light to all.

As the psalmist moves into the next section of the psalm, they focus on God’s law. The scriptures. While the first half of the psalm talks about God (el), the second half uses God’s name Yahweh (often translated as LORD). Nature declares that there is a god, but scripture tells you his name and his nature.

And so the psalmist goes on to list all the characteristics of God’s law;

• Yahweh’s law is perfect - it revives the soul
• Yahweh’s law is a trust testimony - it makes the simple wise
• Yahweh’s laws are right instructions - they rejoice the heart
• Yahweh’s law is a pure commandment - it enlightens the eyes
• The fear of Yahweh’s law is clean - it endures forever
• Yahweh’s law are a righteous set of rules
• Yahweh’s law is worth more than gold
• Yahweh’s law is more pleasant than honey
• Yahweh’s law warns his servants (to avoid danger/sin) and rewards those who keep it

Having observed nature and scripture, the psalmist now looks inwardly at how their own life declares Yahweh’s goodness. They ask the Lord to search them and point out their faults. They don’t want to be guilty of anything unknowingly and dishonour God’s name.

The psalmist ends by asking that the state of their words and hearts be acceptable before God. As we look to the awesomeness of nature and the goodness of scripture, like the psalmist, we are led to look inward, to ask God to help us better declare his glory in our lives.