2 Timothy 1
1Paul, an apostlea of Christ Jesus by the will of God,b in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,c
2To Timothy,d my dear son:e
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.f
Thanksgiving
3I thank God,g whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,h as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.i 4Recalling your tears,j I long to see you,k so that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith,l which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunicem and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel
6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.n 7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,o but gives us power,p love and self-discipline. 8So do not be ashamedq of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.r Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,s by the power of God. 9He has savedt us and calledu us to a holy life—not because of anything we have donev but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealedw through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,x who has destroyed deathy and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospelz I was appointeda a herald and an apostle and a teacher.b 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,c because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guardd what I have entrusted to him until that day.e
13What you heard from me,f keepg as the patternh of sound teaching,i with faith and love in Christ Jesus.j 14Guardk the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.l
Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty
15You know that everyone in the province of Asiam has deserted me,n including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,o because he often refreshed me and was not ashamedp of my chains.q 17On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!r You know very well in how many ways he helped mes in Ephesus.t
2 Timothy 2
The Appeal Renewed
1You then, my son,a be strongb in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me sayc in the presence of many witnessesd entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Join with me in suffering,e like a good soldierf of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crowng except by competing according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.h 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,i descended from David.j This is my gospel,k 9for which I am sufferingl even to the point of being chainedm like a criminal. But God’s wordn is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everythingo for the sake of the elect,p that they too may obtain the salvationq that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.r
11Here is a trustworthy saying:s
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;t
12if we endure,
we will also reign with him.u
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;v
13if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,w
for he cannot disown himself.
Dealing With False Teachers
14Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;x it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.y 16Avoid godless chatter,z because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeusa and Philetus, 18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,b and they destroy the faith of some.c 19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,d sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”e and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lordf must turn away from wickedness.”
20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.g 21Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.h
22Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, lovei and peace, along with those who call on the Lordj out of a pure heart.k 23Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.l 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.m 25Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,n 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,o who has taken them captive to do his will.
2 Timothy 3
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.a 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,b boastful, proud,c abusive,d disobedient to their parents,e ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous,f rash, conceited,g lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godlinessh but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.i
6They are the kind who worm their wayj into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.k 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,l so also these teachers opposem the truth. They are men of depraved minds,n who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,o their folly will be clear to everyone.
A Final Charge to Timothy
10You, however, know all about my teaching,p my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,q Iconiumr and Lystra,s the persecutions I endured.t Yet the Lord rescuedu me from all of them.v 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,w 13while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,x deceiving and being deceived.y 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,z 15and how from infancya you have known the Holy Scriptures,b which are able to make you wisec for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathedd and is useful for teaching,e rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,f 17so that the servant of God,g may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.h
2 Timothy 4
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,a and in view of his appearingb and his kingdom, I give you this charge:c 2Preachd the word;e be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebukef and encourageg—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.h Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.i 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.j 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,k do the work of an evangelist,l discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,m and the time for my departure is near.n 7I have fought the good fight,o I have finished the race,p I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for meq the crown of righteousness,r which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that days—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.t
Personal Remarks
9Do your best to come to me quickly,u 10for Demas,v because he loved this world,w has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.x Crescens has gone to Galatia,y and Titusz to Dalmatia. 11Only Lukea is with me.b Get Markc and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicusd to Ephesus.e 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,f and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexanderg the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.h 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.i 17But the Lord stood at my sidej and gave me strength,k so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.l And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.m 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attackn and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.o To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.p
Final Greetings
19Greet Priscilla and Aquilaq and the household of Onesiphorus.r 20Erastuss stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimust sick in Miletus.u 21Do your best to get here before winter.v Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.
22The Lord be with your spirit.w Grace be with you all.x
1 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,
1 4:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
2 4:21 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
1:1 Paul. See note on Ro 1:1. apostle. See note on 1Co 1:1. in keeping with the promise of life. God’s choice of Paul to be an apostle was in keeping with that promise, because apostles were appointed to preach and explain the good news that eternal life is available to all who will receive it through faith in Christ.
1:4 Recalling your tears. Perhaps refers to Timothy’s tears when Paul left for Macedonia (see 1Ti 1:3 and note). long to see you. See 4:9,21.
1:5 your grandmother Lois . . . your mother Eunice. According to Ac 16:1, Timothy’s mother was a Jewish Christian. Here we learn that his grandmother too was a Christian. Timothy’s father, however, was a Greek and apparently an unbeliever (Ac 16:1).
1:6 fan into flame the gift of God. Gifts are not necessarily given in full bloom; they often need to be developed through use. through the laying on of my hands. See 1Ti 4:14 and note. Paul was God’s instrument through whom the gift came from the Holy Spirit to Timothy (see note on 1Ti 1:18).
1:9 called us to a holy life. See Eph 1:4 and note; 1Th 4:7. not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. Salvation is by grace alone and is based not on human effort but on God’s saving plan and the gracious gift of his Son (see Ro 3:28; see also Eph 2:8–9; Titus 3:5 and notes). before the beginning of time. God’s plan to save lost sinners was made in eternity past (see Eph 1:4; 1Pe 1:20 and notes; Rev 13:8).
1:12 no cause for shame. Cf. v. 8 and note. what I have entrusted to him. Probably Paul’s commitment to Christ and his gospel (cf. v. 14; 1Ti 6:20 and notes). that day. The day of judgment.
1:13 sound teaching. See Titus 1:9 and note. faith and love in Christ. See 1Ti 1:14; faith and love through union with Christ—another way of saying “Christian faith and love.”
1:14 good deposit . . . entrusted to you. The gospel (see note on v. 12). Paul gives the same command in 1Ti 6:20. Holy Spirit who lives in us. See Ro 5:5; 1Co 6:19 and notes; see also Ro 8:9.
1:16 Onesiphorus. He and his family probably lived in Ephesus (v. 18; 4:19).
1:18 that day. The day of judgment (v. 12). he helped me in Ephesus. Either on Paul’s third missionary journey (see map) or on his fourth (see map).
2:1 my son. See 1Ti 1:2 and note. strong in the grace . . . in Christ. Enabling power comes from a relationship to Christ (see 2Co 12:9–10; Eph 6:10 and notes).
2:3–6 Paul gives three examples for Timothy to follow: (1) a soldier who wants to please their commander, (2) an athlete who follows the rules of the game and (3) a farmer who works hard.
2:6 receive a share of the crops. In this illustration, as in the previous two (soldier, vv. 3–4; athlete, v. 5), the main lesson is that dedicated effort will be rewarded (see 1Ti 5:17 and note).
2:8 raised from the dead, descended from David. Christ’s resurrection proclaims his deity, and his descent from David shows his humanity; both truths are basic to the gospel. Since Christ is God, his death has infinite value; since he is human, he could rightfully become our substitute.
2:9 chained like a criminal. Apparently Paul was awaiting execution (see 4:6 and note).
2:10 I endure everything for the sake of the elect. No suffering is too great if it brings about the salvation of God’s chosen ones who will yet believe. in Christ. See notes on 1:13; Eph 1:1 (see article). eternal glory. The final state of salvation.
2:11–13 Probably an early Christian hymn. The point to which Paul appeals is that suffering for Christ will be followed by glory (Ro 8:17–18).
2:12 if we endure, we will also reign. Faithfully bearing up under suffering and trial will result in reward when Christ returns (see Ro 8:17 and note; see also article). If we disown him. See Mt 10:33.
2:14–18 The wording of vv. 14–16 suggests that the heresy mentioned here is an early form of Gnosticism—the same as that dealt with in 1 Timothy and Titus (see note on 1Ti 1:3–11 and Introduction to 1 John: Gnosticism). Two leaders of this heresy, Hymenaeus (1Ti 1:20) and Philetus (v. 17), denied bodily resurrection (v. 18) and probably asserted that there is only spiritual resurrection (similar to the error mentioned in 1Co 15:12–19; see notes there). Gnosticism interpreted resurrection spiritually, not physically.
2:15 ashamed. See 1:8 and note. correctly. Responsibly, honestly, accurately. word of truth. The gospel (Eph 1:13; Col 1:5), whose truth Timothy was to believe and obey and whose contents he was therefore to preach (4:2).
2:17 Hymenaeus. Paul’s earlier discipline of this man had proved unsuccessful (1Ti 1:20).
2:19 God’s solid foundation. The church, which upholds the truth (1Ti 3:15). In spite of the heresy of Hymenaeus and Philetus (v. 17), Timothy should be heartened to know that the church is God’s solid foundation. There are two inscriptions on it: One stresses the security of the church (“The Lord knows those who are his”; here “know,” as often in the Bible, means to be intimately acquainted with), while the other emphasizes human responsibility (“Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness”). sealed. The church is owned and securely protected by God (see Eph 1:13 and note).
2:23 The Gnostic heresy is probably in view again (see note on vv. 14–18).
2:24 Lord’s servant. Seems to refer primarily to a person who, like Timothy, is set aside for special service. able to teach. Cf. note on 1Ti 3:1.
3:1 last days. The Messianic era, the time beginning with Christ’s first coming (see 1Ti 4:1; Heb 1:1–2 and notes; 1Pe 1:20). That “the last days” in this passage does not refer only to the time just prior to Christ’s return is apparent from Paul’s command to Timothy to “have nothing to do” (v. 5) with the unbelieving and unfaithful people who characterize this time.
3:6 gullible women. Unstable women who are burdened because of their sins, torn by various evil desires and victims of false teachers.
3:8 Jannes and Jambres. According to Jewish tradition, they were the Egyptian court magicians who opposed Moses (see Ex 7:11 and note). these teachers oppose the truth. The false teachers who are wreaking havoc in the Ephesian house churches by spreading their foolish teachings (v. 9; cf. 1Ti 1:3) into the networks of women (v. 6).
3:11 Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. Three cities in the Roman province of Galatia (see maps here and here) that Paul visited on his first and second missionary journeys (see Ac 13:14, 51; 14:6 and notes). Since Timothy was from Lystra (Ac 16:1), he would have known firsthand of Paul’s sufferings in that region. the Lord rescued me from all of them. Even from execution by stoning (see Ac 14:19–20 and notes).
3:14 those from whom you learned it. Referring to Eunice and Lois, Timothy’s mother and grandmother (see 1:5 and note), and perhaps a reference to Paul.
3:15 from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. A Jewish boy formally began to study the OT when he was five years old. Timothy was taught at home by his mother and grandmother even before he reached this age (see 1:5 and note).
3:16 All Scripture. The primary reference is to the OT, since some of the NT books had not even been written at this time. (See 1Ti 5:18 and note for indications that some NT books—or material ultimately included in the NT—may have already been considered equal in authority to the OT Scriptures.) God-breathed. The first known appearance of this term (theopneustos) in Greek literature, which may have been coined by Paul. It affirms God’s active involvement in the writing of Scripture, an involvement so powerful and pervasive that what is written is the infallible and authoritative word of God (see 2Pe 1:20–21 and notes).
3:17 servant of God. Or, more formally, “man of God” (see NIV text note). Paul calls Timothy a “man of God” in 1Ti 6:11.
4:1 Paul states his charge to Timothy, aware that he does so in the presence of God the Father and of Christ, who will judge everyone. He is also keenly aware of the twin facts of Christ’s return (“his appearing”) and the coming establishment of God’s kingdom in its fullest expression. Timothy was to view a charge so given as of utmost importance. Jesus, who will judge. See Mt 25:31–33; see also Jn 5:22; Jas 5:9; 1Pe 4:5 and notes.
4:2 be prepared. Be ready in any situation to speak the needed word, whether of correction, of rebuke or of encouragement.
4:3 sound doctrine. See Titus 1:9 and note. itching ears. Ears that want to be “scratched” by words in keeping with one’s evil desires.
4:6 drink offering. The offering of wine poured out to the Lord (Nu 15:1–12; 28:7). Paul views his approaching death as the pouring out of his life as an offering to Christ (see Php 2:17 and note). my departure. His impending death in ad c. 67/68 (see chart; cf. Php 1:23).
4:7 Paul looks back over 30 years of labor as an apostle (c. ad 36–67/68). Like an athlete who had engaged successfully in a contest (“fought the good fight”; see note on 1Ti 1:18), he had “finished the race” and “kept the faith,” i.e., had carefully preserved the deposit of Christian truth. the faith. See note on 1Ti 3:9.
4:8 crown of righteousness. Continuing with the same figure of speech, Paul uses the metaphor of the wreath given to the winner of a race (see 1Co 9:25 and note). He could be referring to (1) a crown given as a reward for a righteous life, (2) a crown consisting of righteousness or (3) a crown given righteously (justly) by the righteous Judge (see article). that day. The day of Christ’s second coming (“appearing”; see v. 1).
4:11 Luke. A faithful companion of Paul, a physician (Col 4:14), and the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts (see Introduction to Luke: Introduction: Author). Mark. See Introduction to Mark: Mark in the NT. John Mark had deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Ac 13:13). After Paul refused to take Mark on the second journey, Barnabas separated from Paul, taking Mark with him on a mission to Cyprus (Ac 15:36–41). Ultimately Mark proved himself to Paul, indicated by his presence with Paul during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (Col 4:10; Phm 24) and by Paul’s request here for Timothy to bring Mark with him to Rome.
4:13 cloak. For protection against the cold dampness (see Introduction: Author, Date and Setting). It was probably a heavy outer garment, circular in shape with a hole in the middle for one’s head. Troas. See Ac 16:8 and note; see also map. scrolls, especially the parchments. The scrolls (see note on Ex 17:14) were made of leather or papyrus, and the parchments were made of the skins of animals. These may have included parts of the OT and what would later become the NT.
4:14 Alexander the metalworker. Perhaps the Alexander mentioned in 1Ti 1:20.
4:16 my first defense. The first court hearing of Paul’s present case, not his defense on the occasion of his first imprisonment (Ac 28). May it not be held against them. Cf. Lk 23:34; Ac 3:17 and note; 7:60.
4:17 through me the message might be fully proclaimed. Even in these dire circumstances Paul used the occasion to testify about Jesus Christ in the imperial court (cf. Ac 16:25; cf. also Php 1:12–14 and notes). delivered from the lion’s mouth. Since, as a Roman citizen, Paul could not be thrown to the lions in the amphitheater, this must be a figurative way of saying that his first hearing did not result in an immediate guilty verdict.
4:18 will rescue me from every evil attack. Since Paul fully expected to die soon (see v. 6 and note), the rescue he speaks of here is spiritual, not physical. heavenly kingdom. Heaven itself.
4:21 Eubulus . . . Pudens, Linus, Claudia. The only mention of these people in Scripture. Early tradition says Linus was the bishop of Rome after the deaths of Peter and Paul. brothers and sisters. See NIV text note.
4:22 be with your spirit. See note on Gal 6:18. Grace. See note on Ro 1:7. with you. See note on 2Co 13:14. you. As at the end of 1 Timothy (see note on 1Ti 6:21), “you” here is plural (hence NIV “you all”), showing that the letter was intended for public use. The word “your” in the first part of the verse, however, is singular, indicating that it was addressed to Timothy specifically.