2 Timothy

II TIMOTHY Outlined Bible

Introduction: Chronologically, II Timothy is the last of Paul's inspired letters. Written from a prison in Rome, the apostle is keenly aware that his execution is imminent. It is a very personal letter from the aged apostle to his younger coworker. The letter emphasizes the necessity to guard the treasure of the gospel (1:14) and to carry on the ministry that had been passed on to him by Paul. (2:2)

Name — The book is named for Timothy, Paul's younger coworker and understudy.

Author—Paul. (II Timothy 1:1)

Purpose — Paul wrote Timothy to:

• Exhort him to be strong and faithful in his ministry.
• Warn him of trouble that lay ahead for the church.
• Request that he come to Rome.
• Background of the book.
• Little is known of Paul's life and work between his release from Roman house arrest (spring of AD 62) and his second imprisonment there (summer or fall of AD 64).
• He may have made the trip to Spain as he planned. (Romans 15:28)
• During this period, Paul could have worked with Timothy in Ephesus and before going on to

Macedonia.

• Apparently Paul was arrested in Troas. (II Timothy 4:13)
• A sudden and unexpected arrest would explain Paul's need for certain of his belongings.
• In his letter, Paul called for his cloak, his books and his parchments. (II Timothy 4:13)
• In this second letter to Timothy, Paul gave insights into his personal situation.
• Some of his faithful coworkers were serving other churches. (II Thessalonians 4:10)
• Other former associates had deserted Paul in his time of need. (II Thessalonians 4:10)
• Only Luke is with Paul, and the apostle is anxious to see Timothy and Mark. (II Timothy 4:9-11)
• While Paul does not reveal the circumstances surrounding his arrest, history may shed light on the reasons for his incarceration.
• A huge fire destroyed most of the city of Rome over a period of nine days in July, AD 64.
• The populace of Rome blamed Nero for the tragedy.
• To escape blame, Nero found a scapegoat in the Christian community.
• There followed an intense, local persecution of the church, resulting in many cruel martyrdoms,
• Paul was most likely arrested in the aftermath of these events.
• While his execution appeared to be certain and soon (probably executed sometime in AD 65), Paul was confident in his eternal reward. (II Timothy 4:6-8:18)
• This letter was written to Timothy in the fall of AD 64.
• The main message of the book.
• This letter is a personal charge to Timothy to be faithful and steadfast in his ministry.
• Paul encourages him not to be ashamed to testify about the Lord. (1:8)
• He instructs Timothy to be willing to endure hardships "like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." (2:3)
• Paul exhorts the young preacher to protect his personal integrity. (2:14-26)
• The apostle warned Timothy to beware of evildoers and false teachers. (3:1-9)
• “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.” (4:2)
• Outline of the book.
• Personal greetings. (II Timothy 1:1-2)
• Encouragement to be faithful. (1:3—2:13)
• Paul recalls his love and appreciation for Timothy. (1:3-7)
• He charges Timothy to not be ashamed of the gospel. (1:8-10)
• Paul recalls coworkers who have deserted and been faithful to him. (1:11-18)
• The apostle encourages Timothy to be faithful. (2:1-7)
• He reminds his protégé that Christ will faithfully protect and empower those faithful to Him. (2:8-13)
• A workman approved by God. (II Timothy 2:14-26)
• Timothy is encouraged to avoid needless controversies. (2:14-19)
• He further encourages him to be pure in life and doctrine. (2:20-26)
• Warnings about godlessness in the last days.
• Paul tells Timothy of all kinds of evil behavior to will come. (3:1-9)
• Paul charges the young preacher to hold fast to the sacred writings and the teachings of Paul. (3:10- 17)
• The apostle gives Timothy a final charge to preach sound doctrine. (4:1-5)
• Closing remarks. (II Timothy 4:6 - 22)
• Paul tells of his impending death. (4:6-8)
• He shares with Timothy personal information about associates. (4:9-15)
• Paul declares that the Lord stood with him through all these trials. (4:16-18)
• Final greetings and benediction. (4:19-22)
• Key Themes of the Book.
• Timothy's spiritual journey.
• Timothy was apparently converted on Paul's first missionary journey.
• When Paul started out on his second missionary journey, only Silas accompanied him. (Acts 15:40)
• However, Timothy joined them at Lystra. (Acts 16:1)
• His mother, Eunice, was also a believer. (Acts 16:1; II Timothy 1:5)
• His father, however, was a Greek unbeliever. (Acts 16:1)
• Timothy had some disadvantages and barriers to effective discipleship.
• His home life left something to be desired. (Acts 16:1-2)
• He apparently had chronic health problems. (I Timothy 5:23)
• He likely had a problem with shyness and timidity. (1:7)
• Timothy also had some major assets.
• He had a godly mother and grandmother. (1:5)
• He had received excellent training in the scripture. (3:15)
• He was deeply committed to the Lord.
• Timothy became Paul's closest and most trusted coworker.
• Twice Paul calls him his “son in the faith." (I Timothy 1:2; II Timothy 1:2)
• Paul said, "I have no one else like him." (cf. Philippines 2:19-22)
• Knowing his execution is at hand, Paul wants Timothy by his side. (4:9)
• The inspiration and purpose of scripture.
• “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (3:16-17)
• The Greek word rendered "God-breathed" (NIV) or "given by inspiration of God" (KJV) is theopneustos.
• The doctrine of inspiration refers to the supernatural process of the Holy Spirit guiding certain individuals to speak and write the authoritative Word of God.
• The process of inspiration did not negate the individual writing style of the authors.
• The Spirit utilized the differences of background and personal interest to effectively communicate God's truth.
• There are many claims in scripture relative to inspiration.
• Jesus validated the inspired nature of the Old Testament. (Matthew 5:17-18; John 10:35)
• He authorized the apostles to be agents of His inspired Word. (John 14:26; 16:13; Matthew 18:18)
• Peter's second letter made essentially the same claim. (II Peter 2:21)
• The difference between theological conservatism and liberalism lies in an attitude toward scripture.
• Paul's faith in the face of death. (II Timothy 4:6-8)
• Paul uses several metaphors to depict his impending death:
• Being poured out like a drink offering.
• Fought the good fight.
• Finished the race.
• Through it all, Paul said, 'to have kept the faith" and confidently looked forward to his reward.

2 TIMOTHY Summarized Bible

Paul To Timothy, my beloved child: “I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:4-14)

“All who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day! — and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.” (2 Timothy 1:15-18)

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus “Be strengthened by what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses. Entrust what you have heard from me to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”

“An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.”

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (2 Timothy 2:8-10)

Destiny of the Faithful and Unfaithful Those who have died with him, we will also live with him;

• if we endure, we will also reign with him;
• if we deny him, he also will deny us;
• if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

Instructions to God’s Servants “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.”

Comment: Quarreling over words occurs today perhaps due to knowledge levels, environment, job-related experiences and ability which result in differing interpretations, none of which may be correct. Quarreling appears to be an unwillingness to examine and discuss the differences in the meaning of some words and demanding that “my” understanding is the only meaning.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

“Avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.”

“God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’”

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

“Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:11-26)

Warning of Difficult Times “But understand this, in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.” (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

Persecution to Come “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:10-13)

Knowledge of Bible Teachings “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14- 17)

Comment: During the time Paul wrote to Timothy the “all scripture” was the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew/Aramaic Old Testament.

Preach the Word “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word (Gospel-the atoning sacrifice, burial, resurrection and ascension) be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

Comment: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) Therefore, one who preaches the Word preaches Christ - His atoning sacrifice, burial, resurrection and ascension.

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:3-5)

Final Days of Paul

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

“Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.”

“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.”

“At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever.”

“Do your best to come before winter. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” (2 Timothy 4:6- 22)

Key Points from 2 Timothy ➢ Entrust what you have heard from me to faithful men who will be able to teach others. ➢ God’s servants are to prepare themselves for His Work and be patient, waiting on His Word to germinate and grow. ➢ Heaven is the destiny of those in Christ. ➢ The unfaithful who return to a worldly life will be denied Heaven. ➢ Servants are to proclaim Christ – His atoning sacrifice, burial, resurrection and ascension. ➢ Prepare yourself for your final days on Earth.

Question - What is the result of irreverent babbling and quarreling within the church?