2 Timothy

Composition

The second book of Timothy is a short letter in the Christian Bible. It is one of three in the New Testament designated Pastoral Letters because they deal with issues of the clergy and are addressed to individuals rather than a congregation or community. The other Pastoral Letters, as they have been called since the late eighteenth century, are 1 Timothy and the Epistle to Titus. The letters to Timothy are the fifteenth and sixteenth books of the New Testament and are collectively known as the Epistles of Saint Paul the Apostle to Timothy.

Traditionally, Paul has been credited with authorship of the Pastoral Letters. In modern times, most scholars say the identity of the writer or writers of 1 Timothy and Titus is unknown, but the letters were likely written by Paul’s followers, most likely in the late first century CE or in the second century. These letters are believed to contain portions of letters written by Paul, although these texts are lost, but otherwise are not written in the style and with the vocabulary found in letters reliably attributed to Paul. However, the second letter to Timothy is generally believed to have been written by Paul, who is said to have died in Rome, Italy, about 62 to 64 CE. Scholars believe he may have written 2 Timothy while imprisoned shortly before his death. Paul was likely executed in Rome during a period of intense persecution of Christians.

In the first century CE, Christianity began as a movement within Judaism after the death of Jesus. His followers called him Christ, the messiah. After his death, some of his followers vehemently disagreed as to the form and focus of Christianity. A great deal of controversy was related to the question of who should or could be a Christian. Some leaders insisted only a Jew could be a Christian. They insisted Gentiles convert to Judaism and required converts to practice some Jewish traditions, including dietary laws. They also required new Christians be circumcised.

Paul chose Timothy as his successor and greeted him as a son in the spirit. Church tradition holds that Timothy was the first bishop of Ephesus, a Greek port city in modern-day Turkey. Timothy was born to a Jewish mother, Eunice, and a Greek father who was a Gentile. Timothy’s mother taught him the scriptures. Eunice and her mother, Lois, converted to Christianity. Later Timothy left his home in Lystra, Asia Minor, to accompany Paul on his missionary journeys. Paul did not agree with the Jewish Christian view of the faith and on his missionary trips he frequently preached in Gentile communities. He did not require Gentile converts to join the Jewish faith, nor did he insist on circumcision. However, when Paul selected Timothy, he recognized the younger man would likely minister to and convert Jewish Christians. For this reason, he insisted Timothy undergo circumcision.

The Pastoral Letters contain numerous instructions. He addresses dissent and what the writer calls false teachers and false teachings. He tells the recipients to select members of the clergy—bishops and deacons for the most part—carefully and explains what they are to consider before making such appointments. The author encourages the pastors to live upright, moral lives and ensure their followers do as well.

Summary

Paul addresses Timothy as a spiritual son. In this epistle he offers advice to his protégé and warns that he will experience suffering, but must accept it as a representative of Jesus. The elder man also offers advice about coping with false messages and the false teachers.

The epistle consists of only four chapters. The first chapter includes Paul’s greeting—“To Timothy, my dearly beloved son” (1 Timothy 1:2, King James Version KJV)—and a blessing. Paul further offers thanks to God. He tells Timothy he prays for him constantly and dearly hopes to see him again, referencing their sorrowful parting. He then mentions Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice.

Paul refers to his apparent incarceration, saying he suffers because he is a follower of Christ, and expresses his disappointment that none in Asia, especially Hermogenes and Phygelus, have defended him in court. He gives thanks for Onesiphorus, who visited him in Rome and aided Paul in prison.

In the second chapter, Paul again calls Timothy his son and instructs him to stay strong in grace. He encourages Timothy to tell Paul’s story so others may believe and share the story as well. He compares Timothy’s role to that of a soldier, who must focus on his duties, or an athlete, who must follow the rules when competing to be crowned victor. A worker or farmer must enjoy the fruits of one’s labor first.

Paul again refers to his imprisonment, noting that he is in chains and treated like a criminal for telling others about Jesus’s life and resurrection. The word of God, though, is not chained. Paul endures his trials for the sake of those who have been chosen by God. Those who die in Christ will also live with him, and those who are persecuted for him will reign with him. Those who deny Christ will be denied by him, but if they are unfaithful, Christ remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself.

From 2:14 Paul offers instructions for dealing with false teachers and teachings. He says quibbling over words does a disservice to those who hear this. Paul again is critical of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who denied that Christians would be resurrected in the future and would experience eternity in God’s kingdom. The pair preached that Christians were resurrected by baptism. He advises Timothy to avoid arguments but to gently correct those who work against him and teach falsehoods, and offers his hope that they will repent and escape the grip of the devil.

Paul warns in the third chapter of the last days. People will be (3:2–4) “lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, /Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, /Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” He advises Timothy to avoid people like this, who will work to lead people astray, and instead continue to follow Paul’s example and teaching. He reminds Timothy of persecution and suffering Paul endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, and that people who follow Christ’s example will also be persecuted.

The fourth chapter begins with Paul’s charge to Timothy to proclaim God’s word and persist. He warns people will be lured away by those speaking falsehoods. The apostle suggests his life is soon to end, and expresses hope that Timothy will visit him.

Paul mentions many individuals near the end of the letter. Among these are friends he holds dear and others who antagonize him. He mentions that he had no defenders in court. He asks Timothy to pass his greetings to several, alerts him as to the location of some followers, and passes along greetings to Timothy from others before he closes with a blessing.

Themes

The Pastoral Epistles offer insight into the earliest church hierarchy and development. The second letter to Timothy also reveals a man nearing the end of his life who is not wallowing in self-pity or bitterness. He instead devotes himself to teaching for as long as he is able. Paul trusts that his legacy as a messenger will endure in those he has mentored, including Timothy and future generations.

The second epistle to Timothy has two main themes. First, it is a message of encouragement, perseverance, and endurance. Second, Paul emphasizes the need to remain faithful to the truth. He warns against falsehoods and those who spread them.

Timothy is a young church leader and insecure about others accepting his leadership. His church is facing difficulties, as it was when Paul first left him in charge. Paul reminds him that the grace of God is with him and he has proven his skill as a preacher. He insists Timothy has nothing to fear because of his youth but should continue to develop his skills as a leader. This message of encouragement has been viewed as instruction for believers who feel inadequate or timid in expressing their faith. Paul frequently reminds Timothy of the persecutions they have both faced and the strength they exhibited in enduring these troubles. He reminds Timothy that he has all the tools he needs to succeed, most importantly grace and knowledge. Paul urges Timothy to find inspiration in the elder man’s works and his perseverance.

Bibliography

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