(1) Background (BKC)
Paul was a prisoner in a Roman dungeon when he wrote this, the last of his epistles, to Timothy (cf. 2 Tim. 1:8, 16; 4:6–13). The date, as best it can be established, was approximately A.D. 67. Not long afterward, according to tradition, the apostle was beheaded.
The purpose of 2 Timothy was to encourage Timothy in his ministry at Ephesus. The primary theme of the letter is the need for faithfulness in the face of hardship.
(2) Outline (BKC)
I. Salutation (1:1–2)
II. Call to Faithfulness (1:3–18)
A. Thanksgiving for Timothy (1:3–7)
B. Call to courage (1:8–12)
C. Call to guard the truth (1:13–14)
D. Examples of unfaithfulness and faithfulness (1:15–18)
III. Challenge to Endurance (2:1–13)
A. Enduring hardship for Christ (2:1–7)
B. Christ’s example of endurance (2:8–10)
C. A faithful saying (2:11–13)
IV. Marks of a Good Workman (2:14–26)
A. Faithfulness in ministry (2:14–19)
B. A clean instrument (2:20–21)
C. Faithfulness in conduct (2:22–26)
V. Predictions of Faithlessness (3:1–9)
VI. Challenge to Faithful Preaching (3:10–4:8)
A. Faithfulness in the face of opposition (3:10–13)
B. Faithfulness to God’s Word (3:14–4:5)
C. Faithfulness of Paul (4:6–8)
VII. Reminder of God’s Faithfulness in Paul’s Adversity (4:9–18)
A. Paul’s enemies and friends (4:9–16)
B. Paul’s deliverance by the Lord (4:17–18)
VIII. Final Greetings (4:19–22)
(3) repeated words
a. I have served with a clear conscience v.3, your sincere faith v.5
sincere-(BDAG) pert. to being without pretense, genuine, sincere, lit. ‘without play-acting
Both Paul and Timothy severed God with a clean heart, and no hidden motive.
sincere-(BDAG) pert. to being without pretense, genuine, sincere, lit. ‘without play-acting
Both Paul and Timothy severed God with a clean heart, and no hidden motive.
b. Timothy, my dear child v.2, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy v.4, faith that was alive...in your grandmother...and in your mother v.5.
was alive-(BDAG) live, dwell (in) in... Of the Holy Spirit, which makes its home in people
Faith linked Paul and Timothy together. Paul regarded Timothy as his child and he longed to see him. Timothy's faith was influenced by his grandmother and mother. He sees the Holy Spirit making home in these people.
Reflection: Do we serve God with a clean heart? Or do we just play-acting as Christian?
Do we treat people with the same faith as family? Do we click with others if we share the same faith? Or does something else link you with others more than faith does?
We assume that Timothy did not have a believing father. Some of the sisters also bring their children to be believers without the support from their spouse. Yet, Timothy became the protege of apostle Paul. Can your child see the Holy Spirit dwell in you? Or can you influence other children in the church? Or can you influence anyone?
Audrey
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