2Tim 1:1-8
Keep Going!
Authorship of the book:
\\#1:1-2\\ The book is from Paul to Timothy
1. Some question if Paul wrote this book because he shared with
Timothy so many things that Timothy would already know.
2. Others say if Paul did write such basic things to Timothy
then Timothy must not have been too bright.
3. The truth is that repetition is helpful, encouraging, and
absolutely needful—especially to those who are being
tested with persecution.
Theme of the Book: FAITHFUL (It was Paul’s testimony that he had been
faithful and his challenge to Timothy that he remain so.)
Timing of the Book: 2Timothy is believed to have been written
around 66-67, some 4 to 6 six years after 1Timothy
Since Paul wrote 1Timothy, there had been changes in:
1. The world - The city of Rome had been set on fire in the summer
of 64 AD, the blame being placed on Christians. This caused the
first great persecution of Christians throughout the empire from
64 to 68. (Although Christians were persecuted before this, it
was local persecution and mostly from the Jews. Those who did
not try to evangelize Jews may have escaped all together. Nero’s
persecution was empire wide.)
http://www.religionfacts.com/persecution-of-early-church
http://biblehub.com/library/killen/the_ancient_church/chapter_x_
pauls_second_imprisonment.htm
2. The church - No doubt, many who were followers had forsaken
Christ during those years, but many who did not forsake Christ
would have been killed.
3. Paul had changed.
a. Paul had either been in a Roman prison for 6 to 7 years or was
now in for a second time.
(1) I believe this was his second time in a Roman prison,
being freed for 2 to 3 years.
(a) 60-62 AD - First imprisonment
(b) 63-65 AD - Perhaps released
(c) 66 until death - Second imprisonment
(2) Some debate whether Paul was released from the Roman
prison at all.
(3) While there is other evidence, 2Timonthy gives us one
peace of evidence.
(a) Paul spoke as though he had recently left a friend.
2Ti 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus
have I left at Miletum sick.
(b) If Paul had not been recently released, he would
have been in prison for around six years.
(c) It seems unlikely that Paul would even mention
someone to Timothy whom he had no contact with
in six years, let alone mention him in such a
out-of-date condition.
(d) The statement argues that Paul had only recently
left Trophimus in this condition.
b. Paul’s treatment had changed. Paul spoke of chains, but in
his first Roman imprisonment, Paul had a good deal of
liberty.
2Ti 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of
Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was
not ashamed of my chain:
2Ti 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil
doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is
not bound.
Ac 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his
own hired house, and received all that came in
unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching
those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ,
with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
(c) While Paul’s treatment could have simply changed
over time, it could also indicate two different
stays.
c. Paul’s expectations had changed.
(1) When Paul was in the Roman prison the first time, he had
some confidence of his release.
Phi 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that
I shall abide and continue with you all for your
furtherance and joy of faith;
(2) In this book, Paul sensed it was time for him to depart.
2Tim 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and
the time of my departure is at hand.
d. To make things worse, everyone in Asia Minor except
Onesiphorus Paul.
2Ti 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which
are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are
Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of
Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not
ashamed of my chain:
e. Paul’s purpose is writing had changed. He wrote this 2nd
pastoral epistle to Timothy to pass the baton of service, to
encourage him not to quit as so many others were doing, and
to ask him to come visit if at all possible
\\#2Tim 4:9, 21\\.
All of this completely changes the tone of 2Timothy from its
predecessor. While 1Timothy is more a seminar for the younger
preacher, 2Timothy is more a farewell and a challenge to
faithfulness.
I. \\#2Tim 1:1-5\\ See Paul’s Heart
A. Some question whether Christianity is a loving religion or
not.
1. They do so because we preach a message.
a. All are sinners.
b. There is a hell.
c. Those who die in their sin will go to hell.
2. The only way our message can be an unloving message is if:
a. We don’t believe the message we preach. That would be
cruel. It would be like convincing someone they are
sick and going to die when we know they are not.
b. We believe the message but don’t preach it. That would
be even more cruel. If we believed there was a
burning hell and those without Jesus are going there
but we never warned anyone.
(I saw a video a few weeks ago of Penn Jelette of the magical duo of
Penn and Teller. Penn is an atheist, but he created and posted the
video himself because he wanted to tell of a man who gave him a
New Testament. He said the man was not arrogant or unkind, but very
gracious. He complimented the show, gave him the New Testament, and
spoke in such a way that Penn felt he needed to post the video to
tell the man that he appreciated what he had done. He went on to say
that although he himself was an atheist, he would never hold it
against a Christian who graciously tried to convert him for he knew
if a person really believed what the Bible said, he would have to be
a hypocrite to his own beliefs not to share it.)
B. \\#2-5\\ Paul was AFFICTIONATE.
1. \\#2\\ "my dearly beloved son"
2. \\#3\\ "I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and
day"
3. \\#4\\ "Greatly desiring to see thee… that I might be
filled with joy"
4. The members of the body of Christ SHOULD love one another.
a. The church is BUILD on love.
(1) The love of God for sinners.
(2) The love of the saved for God.
(3) The love of the saved for sinners.
(4) The love of those won for those who won them.
(5) The love of brothers and sisters for one another.
b. The bond created between members should be strong and
loving.
(1) Paul referred to Timothy has "his son in the
faith," \\#1Tim 1:2\\, probably meaning that he
helped Timothy to understand the most basic
truths of salvation.
(2) Timothy was also Paul’s "son in the ministry,"
having been under Paul’s leadership since Timothy
left home to serve God.
(a) Paul had been the Holy-Ghost-filled-man who
laid hands on Timothy, either giving to
Timothy the Holy Ghost or bringing the gifts
of the Holy to the surface.
2Tim 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance
that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in
thee by the putting on of my hands.
(b) That was God’s way of passing the Holy Ghost
to new coverts in the early days of the
church \\#Acts 8:15-17\\.
(3) How could they NOT develop a godly love for one
another?
C. \\#3\\ Paul is THANKFUL.
1. Paul was first and foremost thankful to the Lord and
expresses that in his continuous prayers.
2. I think it is also true that Paul is thankful for Timothy.
In the midst of the many who have forsaken Christ (and
him) \\#2Tim 1:15\\, Paul is extremely thankful for those
who have not. It is that appreciation which makes him pray
all the more "night and day" for Timothy.
D. \\#4\\ Paul is HOPEFUL. There is no question that Paul hopes
to see Timothy shortly. He encourages him twice to come as
soon as possible \\#2Tim 4:9, 21\\ not just because he is
lonely, but also because he needs a cloke and copy of the
Scriptures \\#2Tim 4:13\\.
E. \\#5\\ Paul is THOUGHTFUL.
1. Good memories can make for a good companion when needed.
2. Paul remembers Timothy’s faith.
3. He also remembers the faith of Timothy’s mother, Eunice,
and grandmother, Lois.
<OutlineIndex> <Close Window>
