Last Will and Testament of Paul
Second Timothy is the last of Paul’s 13 epistles, written during his second imprisonment in Rome.
The book is a deeply personal letter, composed shortly before Paul’s martyrdom, reflecting his awareness of his impending death.
Paul wrote from prison, having already faced a previous trial where he was abandoned but successfully defended himself. Despite this, he had no expectation of acquittal and viewed this letter as his final testament. The epistle served as Paul’s last opportunity to impart crucial instructions and encouragement to Timothy, his beloved disciple, before his execution.
SETTING
Paul was in jail at the writing of 2 Timothy (2 Tim 1:16; 2:9; 4:6). He knew his ministry was nearly ending. The Roman government put him under the sentence of death. There is some evidence that Nero beheaded him around AD 68.
Some of Paul’s defectors deserted him while in Asia Minor (2 Tim 1:15; 4:16), while others, such as Onesiphorus and Luke, were loyal to him (2 Tim 1:16; 4:11).
Even after the writing of 1 Timothy, the church at Ephesus still had problems, both doctrinal and behavioral.
AUTHOR
Paul, 2 Tim 1:1.
RECIPIENT
Timothy, 2 Tim 1:2
SETTING
The apostle Paul’s death was imminent, so he needed to clean up some unfinished business. Timothy was responsible for the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote to warn him about looming and future apostasy. Timothy’s role was to protect the deposit of truth God had committed to him. He was to stand fast in the face of opposition.
PLACE OF WRITING
Paul wrote 2 Timothy from a Roman prison.
EVIDENCE
External evidence is very solid, coming from Ignatius, Polycarp, Heracleon, Muratorian Canon, Syriac, Old Latin, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria.
Internal evidence has a style, etc., that is very close to Paul’s.
DATE
AD 67-68
DESTINATION
Timothy might have been in Ephesus at the time of writing.
PURPOSE
To encourage Timothy in ministry during times of difficulty.
WRITING
Paul wrote 2 Timothy from a Mamertine Roman prison (2 Tim 1:8, 16-17; 2:9). This imprisonment differs from the Acts account (Acts 28:26-31).
MARTYRDOM
Martyred in Rome, mid-60s AD.
RECIPIENT
Timothy, whom Paul called his “son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2). Second Timothy did not mention his location; he might still have been in Ephesus.
Timothy was to view his ministry as a soldier, an athlete, or a farmer (2 Tim 2:3-6).
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
Second Timothy is the third book Paul wrote to people in Ephesus.
Second Timothy records the last written words of the apostle (2 Tim 4:6-8).
Emphasis on Scripture.
Second Timothy is deeply personal.
Paul wrote this epistle after Titus.
THEME
Warning about apostasy and maintaining sound doctrine (2 Tim 2:15).
OUTLINE
Introduction, 1:1-18
Salutation (1:1-2)
Encouraging Timothy with God’s grace (1:3-14)
Desertion by disloyal companions (1:15)
Refreshment from Onesiphorus (1:16-18)
Exhortations, 2:1-26
Endurance (2:1-7)
Endurance (2:8-13)
Controversy (2:14-18)
Identify genuine believers (2:19-21)
Priorities (2:22-26)
Warnings, (3:1-17)
Warning about end-time apostasy (3:1-9)
Appeal to follow Paul’s example (3:10-12)
Appeal to Scripture (3:14-17)
Charge, (4:1-18)
to preach the Word (4:1-4)
to fulfill his ministry (4:5-8)
to follow Paul’s instructions (4:9-18)
Greetings and Benediction (4:19-22)
