Overview of the Book of 2 Timothy

The Setting of Paul’s Final Epistle to Timothy

The overview of the week for this Sunday is the book of 2 Timothy, written sometime around 67 AD. This is probably Paul's last epistle because tradition tells us his death happened shortly after this as he was beheaded by the Roman emperor Nero.

The apostle once again finds himself in a Roman prison writing to his beloved son in the faith. And it seems as though Paul may have had some concerns because many of his partners in the ministry had dropped out because of persecution.

At the end of the letter, he says, "'Only Luke is with me.'". So it seems that Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him to stay the course. He says in chapter one, verses six through eight, "'Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God "'which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

"'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, "'but of power and of love and of a sound mind. "'Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony "'of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner, "'but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel "'according to the power of God.'".

Courage, Perseverance, and Ministry Faithfulness

It seems that Paul may have had some reasons to think that Timothy was at risk of being in or sliding into a weakened spiritual condition. Timothy needed to carry on Paul's work. He needed to carry on the Lord's work.

So Paul writes to him a second time in this letter, which is much more personal than the first. Paul tells Timothy in chapter four to preach the word, do it in season and out of season. And speaking of the word of God, in chapter three, verse 16, we get one of the most clear statements in all of the Bible about the authority and inspiration of scripture, where Paul writes, all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

The Greek word translated inspiration of God is theionistos, and it means God breathed. In other words, while the scripture was on the one hand written down by men, God ultimately is the source. So before Paul ends, he expresses how he is able to rejoice in that he has persevered in the faith, something he no doubt wants from Timothy.

Fighting the Good Fight and Finishing the Race

So I'll close with what Paul says in chapter four, verse seven where he says, I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.