Introduction
Paul’s encouragement to Timothy.
Verses
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.
6For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
7For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
8Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.
11For this I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12For this cause I also suffer these things.
Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
13Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
17but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me
18(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.
Questions
1. What was Paul reminded of when he thought about Timothy?
v 5 having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.
2. What did Jesus Christ achieve when he appeared?
v 10 ... the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.
3. What did Paul tell Timothy to hold?
v 13 Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Summary Points
- v 1 and 2 A loving greeting
- v 3 to 5 Timothy, like Paul, has benefited from being brought up to believe in God
- v 6 to 12 Timothy is encouraged not to be afraid but to follow Paul's example and be prepared to suffer if neccessary. God's plan to save us has been revealed to us through Christ Jesus. Timothy is encouraged to keep to the faith which Paul preached to him
- v 15 to 18 Some believers have turned against Paul but he has been encouraged by the disciple who made a big effort to find Paul in prison and comfort him
Audio