2 Timothy · chapter 1 of 4
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2 Timothy 1 is Paul's greeting and first appeal, from prison in Rome, to his child Timothy. He recalls Timothy's sincere faith, which lived first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, asks him to fan into flame the gift of God, not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul, and to guard the good deposit. He mentions those who deserted him and Onesiphorus, who was not ashamed of his chains.
This is probably Paul's last letter, written from prison in Rome when he already felt the end of his life near. Timothy, young and perhaps fearful, was left with the responsibility of carrying on the work. The first chapter is a personal and affectionate call to courage, grounded in what God did for us in Christ.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, greets Timothy, his beloved child, with grace, mercy and peace. He thanks God, whom he serves with a clear conscience as his ancestors did, as he constantly remembers Timothy in his prayers night and day. Remembering Timothy's tears, he longs to see him so that he may be filled with joy, and he recalls the sincere faith that dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and in his mother Eunice and that he is sure dwells in him as well.
For that reason he reminds him to fan into flame the gift of God that is in him through the laying on of Paul's hands. God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. He is not to be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of Paul his prisoner, but to share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, given in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and now manifested through the appearing of our Savior, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Paul was appointed a herald, apostle and teacher, and for this reason he suffers; but he is not ashamed, for he knows whom he has believed and is convinced that God is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to him. He urges Timothy to follow the pattern of the sound words and to guard the good deposit by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. All who are in Asia turned away from Paul, among them Phygelus and Hermogenes; but Onesiphorus often refreshed him and was not ashamed of his chains, but searched for him earnestly in Rome and found him. Paul prays that the Lord grant him mercy on that day, and recalls how much service he rendered in Ephesus.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self-control. Paul encourages a fearful young man by reminding him what God has already placed in him: it is not a matter of natural temperament, but of the Spirit who dwells in the believer.
God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, given in Christ before the ages began. The calling springs from God's initiative, so whoever receives it can suffer without shame.
Paul suffers, but is not ashamed, because he knows whom he has believed and is sure that God can guard what he entrusted to him until that day. His confidence rests not on his circumstances but on the person of Christ.
Timothy must guard the good deposit by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. The truth of the gospel is preserved with God's help, not by sheer human strength.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. — 2 Timothy 1:5
Answer: Fan it into flame, like a fire. — 2 Timothy 1:6
Answer: A spirit of power, love and self-control. — 2 Timothy 1:7
Answer: The testimony about our Lord, or of Paul his prisoner. — 2 Timothy 1:8
Answer: Because he knows whom he has believed and is sure God guards what was entrusted to him until that day. — 2 Timothy 1:12
Answer: He was not ashamed of Paul's chains and searched for him earnestly until he found him. — 2 Timothy 1:16-17
This chapter speaks to anyone afraid to talk about their faith or to continue a hard service. Paul does not deny fear: he recalls what God has already given, power, love and self-control, and points to a gift that can be fanned into flame by prayer and practice. In a group you can think about which gift seems dim and how to rekindle it with concrete steps.
It also encourages us to value family faith, like that of Lois and Eunice, and to be like Onesiphorus to those who suffer: to look for, visit and not be ashamed of accompanying someone going through prison, illness or disgrace. One simple way is to call a believer who is alone this week.
Paul has called Timothy to courage and to guard the gospel. In chapter 2 he describes what kind of servant he must be: strong in grace, like a soldier, an athlete and a farmer, and faithful to the word of truth.
It is the message of the gospel and the apostolic teaching that God entrusted to Paul and Paul entrusted to Timothy. Verse 12 can also be understood as what Paul has entrusted to God: his life and ministry. In both cases it is a truth guarded with the help of the Holy Spirit.
By his resurrection Christ defeated the power of death, though believers still die. Paul affirms that Jesus brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: death is no longer the last word, and that hope sustains believers in suffering.