Category: 2 Timothy
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Grace Be With You — 2 Timothy 4:21–22
2 Timothy 4:21–22 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. Paul’s letter is drawing to a close. The great apostle who once traveled across the Roman world now writes from…
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Faithful Even in Weakness — 2 Timothy 4:19–20
2 Timothy 4:19–20 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. As Paul closes his letter, he begins mentioning names. Friends. Fellow workers. People whose lives had been woven into the work of the gospel. Prisca and Aquila were among the most faithful…
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Preserved for His Kingdom — 2 Timothy 4:18
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Paul had been through enough trials to know how uncertain life could feel. He had faced angry mobs, prison cells, storms at sea, and courts…
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When the Lord Stands With You — 2 Timothy 4:17
2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. Paul had just said that when he first stood to give his defense, no one stood…
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When No One Stood — 2 Timothy 4:15–16
2 Timothy 4:15–16 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Paul warns Timothy about Alexander again. The man had fiercely opposed the message of…
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The Lord Will Deal with It — 2 Timothy 4:14
2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works. Paul does not hide the truth about what happened. He says it plainly. Alexander the coppersmith did him much harm. That is refreshingly honest. Sometimes spiritual people feel pressure to pretend that nothing ever hurts them. But…
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Bring the Books — 2 Timothy 4:12–13
2 Timothy 4:12–13 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Paul sits in prison as he writes these lines. The man who once traveled from city to city preaching the gospel now waits in…
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Don’t Drift Away — 2 Timothy 4:9–11
2 Timothy 4:9–11 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. Paul is near the…
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Finishing the Course — 2 Timothy 4:7–8
2 Timothy 4:7–8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.…
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Ready to Depart — 2 Timothy 4:5–6
2 Timothy 4:5–6 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. Paul’s words here feel very personal. He knows his time on earth is coming to a…
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Preach the Word — 2 Timothy 4:1–4
2 Timothy 4:1–4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.For the time will come when they will not endure sound…
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Every Word Matters — 2 Timothy 3:16–17
2 Timothy 3:16–17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Paul now makes one of the most sweeping statements about the Scriptures found anywhere in the Bible. All…
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The Wisdom of the Scriptures — 2 Timothy 3:15
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Paul reminds Timothy of something deeply personal here. Timothy did not come to the Scriptures late in life. He had known them since he was…
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Continue in What You Learned — 2 Timothy 3:13–14
2 Timothy 3:13–14 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. Paul is writing these words late in his life. He has seen enough of the world to…
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The Promise Nobody Puts in the Promise Box — 2 Timothy 3:12
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This is one promise you will not find printed on a greeting card. You will not open a little devotional box and pull out a slip of paper that says, “Today’s precious promise: persecution is coming.” But Paul says…
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A Life That Can Be Examined — 2 Timothy 3:10–11
2 Timothy 3:10, 11 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. After talking about counterfeits, Paul now points Timothy to something real.…
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When the Fraud Runs Out of Road — 2 Timothy 3:9
2 Timothy 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. Paul now gives a word of reassurance. Yes, deception spreads. Yes, counterfeit spirituality shows up. Yes, there are people who resist truth and imitate what is real. But it does not go on…
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Counterfeits in the Court — 2 Timothy 3:8
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. Paul now reaches back into the story of Moses. When Moses stood before Pharaoh, he did not come with philosophy or clever arguments. He came with the authority of God.…
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The Trap of Endless Learning — 2 Timothy 3:6–7
2 Timothy 3:6, 7 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Paul now describes how false spirituality spreads. It does not usually arrive loudly. It rarely…
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The Appearance Without the Life — 2 Timothy 3:5
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Paul now arrives at something more dangerous than open sin. The behaviors he listed earlier are obvious. Pride. Self love. Pleasure. Anger. People can see those things. Even the world recognizes when something has gone wrong. But this…
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The Pleasure Trap — 2 Timothy 3:3–4
2 Timothy 3:3–4 …trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Paul is describing what the atmosphere of the last days will feel like. Not just events. The spirit of the age. He says people will be trucebreakers. Promises will mean less.…
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When the Mirror Becomes the Center — 2 Timothy 3:2
2 Timothy 3:2–3 (a) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,Without natural affection… Paul begins his description of the last days with a simple phrase that explains nearly everything that follows. Men will be lovers of their own selves. When the mirror becomes the…
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Perilous Times — 2 Timothy 3:1
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Paul wrote those words knowing his time on earth was short. The shadow of execution was not far away. Yet even with death in front of him, Paul still spoke as a man who believed the Lord could come at…
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Choosing the Gentle Way — 2 Timothy 2:23–26
2 Timothy 2:23–26 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;And that they may…
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Run the Right Direction — 2 Timothy 2:22
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Paul gives Timothy a very practical instruction. Flee. Notice he does not say argue with temptation. He does not say analyze it, manage it, or see how close you can…
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What Kind of Vessel — 2 Timothy 2:20–21
2 Timothy 2:20–21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and…
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The Ground That Does Not Move — 2 Timothy 2:19
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Paul has just warned Timothy about false teaching that spreads like a disease. But now he steadies the reader with something comforting.…
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When Truth Is Eaten Away — 2 Timothy 2:17–18
2 Timothy 2:17–18 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Paul now names two men directly: Hymenaeus and Philetus. They were spreading an idea that sounded intelligent on the…
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Noise That Leads Nowhere — 2 Timothy 2:16
2 Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. Paul gives Timothy a very practical warning. “Shun profane and vain babblings.” In other words, learn when to walk away from empty talk. Not every conversation is worth entering. Not every argument deserves your attention. Think about that for…
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A Workman Not Ashamed — 2 Timothy 2:14–15
2 Timothy 2:14–15 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Paul gives Timothy two…
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Faithful Still — 2 Timothy 2:13
2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Paul begins with a very honest statement. “If we believe not…” He is not talking about someone rejecting Christ completely. He is talking about those moments when our faith wobbles a little. Times when we struggle. Times when we question.…
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Standing With Him — 2 Timothy 2:12
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us. Paul continues the faithful sayings with a sober reminder. If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. Following Christ was never presented as the easy road. Paul knew that firsthand. Chains, beatings,…
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Life Through Letting Go — 2 Timothy 2:11
2 Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: Paul begins with a phrase that catches my attention. “It is a faithful saying.” I like that. It means this is something solid, something you can lean on when life gets confusing. Then comes…
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The Word Cannot Be Chained — 2 Timothy 2:9–10
2 Timothy 2:9–10 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Paul is sitting in a Roman dungeon when he writes…
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Remember Jesus — 2 Timothy 2:8
2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel. After speaking about soldiers, athletes, farmers, and meditation, Paul brings Timothy back to the center of everything. Remember Jesus Christ. Ministry can become busy. Theology can become complicated. A person can spend so much…
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Chewing on the Word — 2 Timothy 2:7
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Paul gives Timothy a simple instruction. Consider what I say. Understanding does not usually come to the person who rushes past the page. It comes to the one who slows down long enough to think about what he just…
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Waiting for the Harvest — 2 Timothy 2:6
2 Timothy 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Paul gives Timothy a third picture. Not a soldier this time.Not an athlete. A farmer. And every farmer understands something the rest of us often forget. You plant long before you see anything grow. A man can walk into a field…
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Running the Right Way — 2 Timothy 2:5
2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. Paul shifts the picture again. First he spoke about a soldier. Now he talks about an athlete. Anyone who competes for a crown must compete according to the rules. No matter how fast a runner…
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The Soldier’s Focus — 2 Timothy 2:3–4
2 Timothy 2:3–4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. Paul gives Timothy a picture he would instantly understand. A soldier. A soldier does not enter battle…
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Passing It On — 2 Timothy 2:2
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Paul gives Timothy a simple pattern for ministry. Take what you have received and pass it on. In school we are taught to avoid copying…
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Strong in Grace — 2 Timothy 2:1
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Paul knows Timothy well. Timothy is not the boldest man in the room. He struggles with fear. His health is fragile. At times he seems overwhelmed by the weight of the ministry placed on his shoulders. If most…
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The Man Who Was Not Ashamed — 2 Timothy 1:16–18
2 Timothy 1:16–18 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in…
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Holding Fast to Sound Words — 2 Timothy 1:13–15
2 Timothy 1:13–15 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;…
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Knowing Who — 2 Timothy 1:12
2 Timothy 1:12 …nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Paul writes this while sitting in a Roman dungeon. It is dark down there. Cold. The kind of place where the…
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The Big Themes of the Kingdom — 2 Timothy 1:10–12
2 Timothy 1:10–12 (a) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.For the which cause I also suffer these things… Paul…
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Where God’s Grace Is Seen — 2 Timothy 1:10
2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Paul says something profound here. The grace of God has now been made manifest through the appearing of Jesus Christ. People often say they…
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Called by Grace — 2 Timothy 1:8–9
2 Timothy 1:8–9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own…
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Courage for the Heart — 2 Timothy 1:7
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Paul knew Timothy struggled with fear. The young man was facing pressure, opposition, and responsibility that could easily overwhelm someone with a quieter personality. So Paul reminds him of something simple…
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Stirring the Fire — 2 Timothy 1:6
2 Timothy 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. Paul reminds Timothy of something important. God had placed a gift within him. It had been recognized when the elders laid hands on him and prayed. Timothy…
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Faith That Travels Through a Family — 2 Timothy 1:5
2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Paul remembers something beautiful about Timothy. His faith did not appear out of nowhere. It had been living in his family…
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Tears That God Uses — 2 Timothy 1:4
2 Timothy 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy. Paul remembers the last time he saw Timothy. There were tears. The young man who had walked beside Paul on dusty roads, who had watched him preach and suffer and keep moving forward, now stood…
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A Dungeon Turned Into a Prayer Room — 2 Timothy 1:3
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. Paul is sitting in a Roman dungeon when he writes these words. The stone floor is cold. The air is damp. Sleep likely comes only in…
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A Father and a Son — 2 Timothy 1:2
2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul is not writing to a church here. He is writing to a man he loved deeply. To Timothy, my dearly beloved son. Years earlier, during Paul’s first missionary journey through Lystra, Timothy…
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The Last Letter Begins — 2 Timothy 1:1
2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. When Paul writes these words, he is not sitting in a comfortable room or traveling the Roman roads like he once did. The man who planted churches across the Mediterranean…