2 Timothy
This could well be the last letter that Paul wrote when he was in prison in Rome, awaiting his martyrdom in the hands of Nero. It appears that he was acquitted in his first trial (Acts 28:30-31) and subsequently returned to Greece and Asia Minor for a time. We have no idea why he was arrested the second time, perhaps it had to do with Nero’s persecution of Christians after he set Rome on fire. Being his last words, this letter to Timothy was highly emotional and personal, encouraging him to persevere in sufferings and be an approved workman for Jesus Christ.
(1) Compare the greetings here with that of his first letter to Timothy. From the similarities and differences, can you detect the more personal touch to this second letter?
(2) At the close of his life, Paul reflects on having served God as his forefathers did. Why does he add that he serves with a “clear conscience”? (Remember that Paul has been and still is under attack by Jews who wish him dead.)
(3) How often does Paul say that he remembers Timothy? What “tears” is he talking about?
(4) What kind of a relationship is being portrayed here between Paul and Timothy?
(5) Do you have someone that you intercede for as Paul did for Timothy?
(6) He reminds Timothy to “fan into flame” his gift from God:
a. What gift is Paul referring to? (also see 1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14)
b. What does it mean to “fan into flame”?
(7) Although the Bible says, “but his father was a Greek” (Acts 16:1), how did Timothy came to become a believer with “sincere faith”?
(8) What lesson can we learn from the conversion and calling of Timothy?
(9) In the midst of suffering and persecution (from without and within the church), it is understandable that Paul encourages Timothy by pointing out that “for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power” (1:7), but why does Paul also point out that it is a spirit “of love and of self-discipline”?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Vv. 8-12—Not be ashamed
(1) Paul was already imprisoned by the state because of the gospel and he expects to be executed soon (4:6):
a. What does he ask Timothy not to be ashamed of?
b. If you were Timothy, what will it take for you to listen?
(2) In urging Timothy to suffer with him for the sake of the gospel, Paul reminds him of the following:
a. The gospel: What has Christ accomplished through His (first) appearance?
b. How have Paul and Timothy benefited from the gospel?
c. On what basis are they saved and called?
(3) What role has Paul been assigned in this gospel?
(4) Why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel and his role in the midst of suffering?
Vv. 15-18—Suffering deepened by desertion (see Note below)
(5) Paul shares with Timothy the harsh reality of imprisonment in that “Everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me”. It could be that Paul’s second arrest took place in Asia and that due to the nature of the arrest (which had nothing to do with the Jews any more, but with Nero’s edict), no one came to his defense.
a. Was Paul being bitter or discouraged?
b. Why did he mention the names of Phygelus and Hermogenes whom we know nothing about?
(6) In contrast, how different was the household of Onesiphorus (see 4:19 for his role in Ephesus) towards Paul and his imprisonment?
(7) What risk might the household of Onesiphorus have taken?
(8) What is the message to Timothy?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
Vv. 15-18 acts like a parenthesis, with chapter 2 continuing the thought expressed in 1:13-14 about what Timothy has heard from Paul. Therefore, we shall reflect on 1:13-14 next week together with chapter 2.