2 Timothée
Summary Second Timothy is the last letter the apostle Paul sent to Timothy from a Roman prison as he faced martyrdom, urging him to share in suffering for the gospel and to fulfill his calling to the end. Paul emphasizes endurance with the images of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer, warns that the truth will be distorted in the last days, and makes clear the importance of Scripture. He also confesses that he has finished the good fight and charges Timothy to keep the faith to the end.
- Date written
- AD 67–68
- Historical period
- Apostolic era (Paul’s last letter, estimated to be from the time he faced martyrdom during his second Roman imprisonment)
Background
The historical background of Second Timothy is closely tied to the final period of Paul’s life. Paul was in his second Roman imprisonment, held in far stricter confinement than before and facing trial and death. This was a time when Emperor Nero’s persecution had intensified, and it was difficult for Christians to display their faith openly. In this environment many of Paul’s co-workers had left him out of fear or love for the world, and Paul was in deep isolation and loneliness. At the same time, false teaching and distortion of the truth continued within the church, and believers were being shaken. With external persecution and internal confusion present at the same time, Paul, facing death, sent a letter to Timothy urging him not to be ashamed of the gospel and to share in suffering. He also charged him to stand firm on the word even amid the corruption of the last days and to carry out the calling entrusted to him to the end.
Content
Chapter 1: The Gospel and Suffering, Guarding What Has Been Entrusted Paul begins by encouraging Timothy’s faith. He urges him not to be ashamed of the gospel and to share in suffering by the power of God. He also stresses that Timothy should follow the pattern of sound teaching and, through the Holy Spirit, guard well the gospel entrusted to him. Chapter 2: The Attitude of a Faithful Worker & Sound Ministry of the Word He stresses that the gospel Timothy has heard should be entrusted to faithful people and handed on to the next generation. Through the images of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer he calls for suffering, self-discipline, and hard work, and he urges Timothy to avoid quarrels and empty talk and to be a worker who rightly handles and teaches the word of truth. Chapter 3: The Corruption of the Last Days & Abiding in the Word He warns that in the last days people will be lovers of self and will reject the truth. In such times Timothy is to continue in what he has learned and firmly believed, and Paul emphasizes that Scripture, breathed out by God, is the standard that leads to salvation and a complete life. Chapter 4: The Charge to Preach the Word & Completing the Mission Solemnly charging him before God, he urges Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season. He warns that people will turn away from the truth, and Paul confesses that he has fought the good fight and finished the race. Finally, he asks Timothy to come to him quickly and closes with personal requests.