2 Timothy Introduction - KJV (King James Version)
Synopsis:
Paul wrote this letter as he awaited execution. Despite all that Paul was facing-death, the end of his ministry, abandonment by most of his friends for fear of persecution-he faithfully directed his spiritual son Timothy to the hope that is in Christ. As he exhorted Timothy to boldness, endurance, and faithfulness in the face of false teaching, Paul showed his customary concern for sound doctrine. Scripture, said Paul, is "breathed out by God" and is sufficient in all things pertaining to the faith and practice of Christians (3:16-17). Older believers, therefore, should be eager to pass on their knowledge of Scripture to those who are younger in the faith (2:2). Paul probably wrote from Rome, a.d. 67 or 68.
Authorship: Paul
- 2nd Timothy is considered a disputed epistle, meaning liberal scholars don't attribute the work to him but classify pseudepigraphic. Out of the disputed epistkels of Paul's, 2nd Timothy is the most attacked. There are allusions from Polycarp and Clement of Rome to the epistle that both come from the early 1st AD.
Date of Composition: 67 AD, likely in Roman prison.
Reconstructed History (> 63 AD):
- Acts 28 ends with Paul being imprisoned
- Phil 1:19,25,26; 2:24 - Paul lets Philippians know he anticipates being released
- Phil 2:19-23 - Paul sends Timothy to them as promised
- 1 Tim 1:3 - Paul tells Timothy to "remain in Ephesus”
- 1 Tim 3:14,15 - Paul potentially writes 1 Timothy from Philippi
- Paul journeys to Ephesus and meets with Timothy
- Timothy goes to Crete and eventually leaves Titus in-charge there
- Tit 3:13 - Paul writes to Titus from Corinth since Zenas & Apollos making their way to Crete
- Tit 3:12 - Paul tells Titus to join him in Nicopolis after his replacement for Crete arrives
- Rom 15:24,28 - Paul journeys to Spain
- Early church tradition says that Paul was in Spain potentially from 64-66 AD
- 2nd Timothy written in 67 AD
Simple Outline:
1. Present Testings (2 Tim 1-2)
A. Timothy's Responsibilities (Ch 1)
B. A Pastor's Character (Ch 2)
2. Future Testings (2 TIm 3-4)
A. Apostasy (Ch 3)
B. Preach the Word (Ch 4:1-5)
C. Paul's Death is Near (Ch 4:6-22)
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