Who Wrote This Book: Author of 2 Timothy was Paul.
Written To: The intended reader of 2 Timothy was Timothy
Why It Was Written. This is an epistle that was written by Paul to Timothy. Paul gives thanks for Timothy, whom he remembers constantly in his prayers. Paul says that he longs to see Timothy, and is reminded of his faith, one that was imparted to Timothy by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.
He encourages Timothy to rekindle the gift of God within, and exhorts him not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of him as a prisoner, but to join with him in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved them and called them not according to works but according to his purpose and grace. This grace was given before the ages of time and has now been revealed in the appearance of the savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and brought immortality through the gospel.
Paul describes his present situation. He has been deserted by most of his associates, with the exception of Onesiphorus, who sought Paul out in Rome.
He encourages Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, to entrust Paul's teaching to reliable men and to endure hardship. Timothy is also to remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and descended from David. This is Paul's gospel, for which he is in chains, but the word of God is not chained. Paul says that he is willing to endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain salvation. Finally Paul gives Timothy a saying that is sure.
Paul gives directions to Timothy on how to deal with false teachers, who are probably the ones in Ephesus with whom Paul dealt in 1st Timothy (see 1 Tim 1:3-7). He is to warn them against quarrelling over words. He encourages Timothy to do his best to present himself as a workman who knows how to handle the word of truth and has no reason to be ashamed, unlike the false teachers. He is to avoid godless chatter, because it leads to ungodliness. Paul warns Timothy against Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered from the truth, claiming that there is no resurrection (see 1 Tim 1:20). Paul teaches that if a man cleanses himself he will be an instrument useful to God. Finally, he gives Timothy a series of practical exhortations (2:22-26).
Paul describes the last days as a time when people will be generally godless. He warns Timothy to have nothing to do with such people. These men will exploit weak-willed women, but will not make much progress, since their folly will be plain to everyone. He compares them to Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses. (These two men are identified in Jewish tradition as two of Pharaoh’s sorcerers [Exod 7:11; 8:7].)
Paul explains that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, as he has been. He encourages Timothy to continue in what he has learned, in particular the scriptures that are able to make one wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Paul then describes the scriptures as god-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Paul gives a farewell charge to Timothy to preach the word, correct, rebuke and encourage. The time is coming when men will no longer tolerate sound doctrine, but will turn aside to myths. Paul tells Timothy to be sober, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and to carry out all the duties of his ministry.
Paul confesses that he is like a drink offering being poured out, that he expects to die. He is hopeful of being rewarded with a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to Paul on that day.
The apostle to the Gentiles concludes his last epistle (4:9-22) with some personal instructions and information (4:9-18), followed by final greetings (4:19-21) and a benediction (4:22). Yet these personal instructions must not be overlooked, for they give the real purpose of the epistle: “Do your best to come to me quickly” (4:9). So many friends had left Paul—either on assignment or out of shame (4:10-13)—that only Luke was still with him (4:11). Paul wishes for Mark to come, since some time after his defection on the first missionary journey, he had become useful to Paul (4:11).3 The dispatch to Timothy to come should apparently commence shortly after Tychicus arrives (4:12).4 En route to Rome, Timothy is to pick up Paul’s cloak and parchments (perhaps portions of the OT) which he apparently had to leave with Carpus in Troas (4:13) when Alexander the metalworker instigated his arrest (4:14).5 Hence, when Timothy sees Carpus he should stay away from Alexander (4:15).
Before getting to his final greetings, Paul lets Timothy know that he was all alone in the preliminary hearing (4:16-18). What he does not tell us—for he does not know it— is that he will die in a matter of weeks (summer, 64 CE).6 Most likely, Timothy never saw Paul alive again.7 Thus Paul’s life ends in service to his Lord and in emulation of his Lord, for the Lord Jesus, too, was all alone in his death, his friends having deserted him.
