2 Timothy

About 2 Timothy

Second Timothy reads like a farewell letter from a man who knows his life is nearly over. From a cold Roman prison, Paul urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel, to endure hardship like a good soldier, and to stay anchored in the Scriptures he has known since childhood. It is the Bible's great picture of passing the torch, one generation handing the unchanging message to the next.

Written by

The letter presents itself as Paul's last message to Timothy, and the church has traditionally accepted his authorship, though some modern scholars question it as they do with the other Pastoral Letters.

When

If from Paul, it was written around AD 64-67, during his final imprisonment in Rome shortly before his death.

Themes

• Guarding the gospel
• Endurance in hardship
• The power of Scripture
• Finishing the race well

Key verses

• 2 Timothy 1:7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
• 2 Timothy 4:7-8I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.