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 hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
• 2 Timothy 4:7-8I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth 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.