2 TIMOTHY

GENERAL Introduction

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING
The general consensus is that following his first imprisonment in Rome (cf. Ac 28:16,30-31) Paul was released and allowed to travel for several years before being arrested again. It was during this second imprisonment that Paul wrote this epistle from Rome (cf. 1:16-17). Every indication is that he did not expect to be released (cf. 4:6-7) and shortly after this letter, he was to be put to death by Nero. Since Nero was killed in 68 A.D., Paul would have died a short time earlier. This letter can therefore be dated around 66-67 A.D.

The first two verses of 2 Timothy chapters one clearly presents the author as Paul and the recipient as Timothy.

These verses still us tell the relationship that existed between the two. Timothy was a spiritual son to Paul and that’s why he calls him “my dear son”

The words of a dying person are very important than the usual words he usually speaks. When a loved one is about to die, we strain  to hear any whispered words of blessing or advice knowing these may be the last words  we will hear from this person. In this letter, Paul shared his death bed communication to Timothy his son in faith, passing along his final words of blessing, advice and comfort.

As he wrote this letter, Paul was awaiting his execution in a roman prison 4:6. Paul expected death soon, so he penned down these words of guidance and encouragement to his young son Protégé (disciple) in Ephesus. Paul wanted to give Timothy all the tools he needed to be an effective minister of the gospel

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:.

Paul urged Timothy to develop his relationship with God and to serve God faithfully. Paul knew that Timothy would face many problems as a church leader, so he encouraged Timothy to persevere in his faith challenging the young Pastor to be faithful to his duties. Paul reminded Timothy to use the gifts God had given him to hold on to the truth of God’s word; to teach others and be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.

 

CHAPTER 1-18 GUARD YOUR FAITH IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

 Chapter 1:1-7 Paul’s call and the heritage of Timothy’s faith.   

Paul identifies the one who commissioned him.  He is an apostle according to the promise of the life that is Christ Jesus. Paul acknowledges the part Timothy’s mother Lois, and Grandmother Eunice played in nurturing his faith. He also focuses on his relationship with Timothy and his confidence in Timothy’s Faith which is commendable for the ministry he has been called to. Paul encouraged Timothy not to neglect his gift and urges various considerations to induce Timothy not to turn away from that holy purpose to which he had devoted himself to.

As you read through today’s text and answer the questions below, you will be able to learn more lessons from Paul to Timothy. Read the Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

  1. Who called Paul and why?
  2. Why was it important for Paul to emphasize his apostleship as sent by God?
  1. Using the example Paul, why are we called?
  1. In view of Paul’s prayer to Timothy, what lessons do you learn?
  2. What is the background of Timothy’s faith and what do we learn from this?
  3. In reference to vs. 6-7, what is Pauls’ charge to Timothy?
  1. How can we fan into flame the spiritual gift God has given?
  2. What kind of spirit has God given us?

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”

 

Vs 8-12:  Never be ashamed of the gospel

Is there anything in your life you have ever been ashamed of?

In today’s text, Paul charges Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord Jesus nor of him (Paul) his prisoner. The grace of God has called us to his great work, and Paul possessed that gospel by which life and immortality are brought to light. God’s work of redemption is based solely on His own purpose and good pleasure before the ages began (From eternity).This covenant of Grace has been manifested through our Lord Jesus Christ (Christ is the mediator of the covenant of Grace) and through whose death and resurrection he abolished death and brought life.

  1. What did Paul encourage Timothy not to be ashamed of?
  2. How is one saved?
  3. How would you respond to suffering that is caused by your faith in Jesus Christ?
  4. What is the call of salvation and why are we saved?

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 1:8 “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner rather join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.”

2 TIMOTHY 1:13-18. BE TRUE TO THE WORD;

Having exhorted Timothy not to be ashamed to speak out for Christ, Paul presents himself as a model of boldness in the face of suffering. He draws his confidence from knowing the character of that redeemer he had believed and being convicted beyond any reasonable doubt that God will guard His own word from distortion. He charges Timothy to follow the pattern of the sound words he heard from him through faith the love of Christ.

  1. What is our charge/responsibility in verse 13-14
  2. How was Onesiphorus helpful to Paul and what can we learn from him?
  3. According to verse 14, How can you be true to the gospel
  4. What deposit was Timothy encouraged to guard?

 

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 1:14 “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you, guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”

 

2 Timothy Chapter 2:  A diligent worker amidst hardship

2 Timothy 2: 1-2 Entrust the gospel to faithful men

In this text, Paul as a mentor to Timothy charges him to pass on the gospel to other entrusted men who are qualified to teach others.

  1. What was Paul’s encouragement to Timothy?
  2. What challenge does Paul give to Timothy?
  3. According to the text, why is it important to pass on the gospel?
  4. Have you been able to pass on the gospel to other entrusted men, if yes how. if no why?
  5. Why does Paul task Timothy to pass the gospel to the FAITHFUL men?

 Memory verse

2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

2 Timothy 2:3-7 Endure hardship

In this passage Paul is tasking Timothy to endure hardship giving the comparison of the soldier, athletes and farmer.

  1. Which traits do an athlete, a farmer and a soldier have in common?
  2. How can a Christian emulate the life of a;

a) Soldier

b) Athlete

c) Farmer

  1. According to verse 3-7, why does Paul exhort Timothy to endure hardship

a) Soldier

b) Athlete

c) Farmer

 Memory verse

2 Timothy 2:4 “No one serving as a solider gets entangled in civilian affairs but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

Chapter 2:8-13.   The reward of endurance

In this portion of scripture, Paul gives a reason for his suffering and what gave him the confidence to endure:

  1. What gospel did Paul preach?
  1. Why did Paul endure hardship?
  2. What confidence do we have in the gospel?
  • In what ways can believer disown God?

Memory verse

2 Timothy 2:10 “Therefor I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”

2 Timothy 2:14-19. A workman approved by God

Many times we find ourselves involved in vain arguments. We may sometimes do this thinking that we are defending the gospel. In this text, Paul advises Timothy on how to conduct himself in such scenarios and explains the source of his approval.

  1. How does the text describe a workman approved by God?
  2. What wrong teaching does Paul talk about in this passage?
  3. What are some of the wrong teachings have you encountered and what is your response to them?
  1. What things is Paul discouraging the believers from engaging in?
  2. Why shouldn’t believers engage in useless arguments?
  3. What are some of the vain arguments that believers engage in

Memory verse

2 Timothy 2: 15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:20-26 A vessel of a noble purpose.

As we share the good news we meet different audiences and some are very difficult to deal with. In this text, Paul helps us to know how to handle such audiences. He also goes ahead to use an illustration of the make as a determinant of use.  We are left with a task of choosing the kind of an article we would like to be.

  1. What according to verse 20 makes an article of a noble use?
  1. In your own words, what is the meaning of the vessel of honor and that of dishonor?
  1. What are we to flee from and pursue?
  1. What is the reward for keeping pure?
  2. How should believer deal with difficult people and those who oppose the gospel

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 2: 24-25, “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful, opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”

 

2 TIMOTHY 3:  1-17

VS 1-9   Warning of the terrible things in the last days and a believer’s response

When you read through this portion of scripture, you may think that Paul is with us today! You do not need to have been alive during Paul’s time to witness this. It has already manifested in our generation. People want to experience what God gives and yet they don’t want God.

There are people who are called men of God but what they teach is contrary to what God teaches. Paul is very clear that their success will be no more and their fall will be seen by all

Therefore, Paul advises Timothy not to be part of them and so we are

  1. What kind of behavior does Paul say people will show and what will their end be?
  2. Why should Timothy have nothing to do with the ungodly men?
  3. Discuss how these behaviors are reflected today.
  4. Why did Paul refer Timothy to the last days?
  5. How should we respond to people who have a form of godliness but deny its power?
  6. What kind of teachers is Paul warning about?

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 3:5.  “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

2 Timothy 3: 10-17      Abiding in the scripture

 Paul in this text narrated to Timothy his character and persecutions that he suffered at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra and how the Lord rescued him from all, so that he would be encouraged and borrow a lesson when he faces the same. He went on to tell Timothy about what the plight/trouble of those who desire to live a Godly life would be and as well, the fate of evil men and imposters.

Paul also encouraged Timothy to abide in the faith, affirming to him the source of all scripture and how it qualifies the man of God for His work.

  1. What is the fate of evil men?
  2. What persecutions are believers experiencing today?
  3. What Knowledge does Timothy have about Paul
  4. What challenge does this pose to us today
  5. What’s is the relevance of Paul’s persecution experience to Timothy
  6. In what things was Timothy to Continue?
  7. What is the importance of the Word of God in a Christian’s life
  8. All Scripture is God breathed” What does it mean

Memory verse

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “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.”

2 TIMOTHY 4:1-22      

2 Timothy4:1-8 preach the Word at all times

Paul warns Timothy that a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound doctrine. However Timothy is challenged to preach the word of God in all seasons.  We also note Paul’s satisfaction about his service to Christ, and the confidence he possessed as he looked forward to the Judgment Day and the heavenly kingdom.

  1. Why and when does Paul tell Timothy to preach the word? 
  1. What would some people not endure and pick instead?
  1. What advice does Paul give to Timothy on how he should do his teaching?
  1. How do you relate Paul’s words to Timothy in vs. 3-4 with our current situation and how do you see it manifest today?
  1. How does Paul describe his Christian walk?
  2. What is the relevance of Paul’s statement in verse 6-8 in regard to Timothy’s ministry?

Memory verse

2Timothy4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4: 9-22: The Lord is faithful

In this part of the text, Paul was deserted by those he trusted to be loyal to him like Demas and Alexander. However in all this, the lord remained faithful and rescued him from every evil attack. One wonders why a trusted friend or brother would do such a thing.  Where should our hope be in such a time?

  1. As Christians are there times when we lament like Paul? If yes give examples
  2. What encouragement do we draw from Vs 16-17?
  3. God stood with Paul when almost everyone deserted him. Share with us an experience where God was your ONLY rescue.

Memory verse 18

2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will rescue from every evil attack and will bring safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever Amen.

The summary of the book of 2nd Timothy

 A FAITHFULL MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL

  • He passes on the gospel
  • He defends the gospel
  • He endures suffering for the sake of the gospel