Second Letter to Timothy ~ Encouragement in Evangelism
Written By: Paul
When: A.D. 66 or 67 Where: Prison in Rome |
1st Roman Imprisonment: AD 60
1st letter to Timothy: AD 64 |
Paul first meets Timothy in Lystra – Acts 16: 1 – 6
Timothy was Paul’s companion on his 2nd an d3rd Missionary trips (ref: ) Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to lead the church there (ref: ) |
Introduction:
The first time that Paul was in prison in Rome was about AD 60. He was there for two years. The first Roman prison account can be found in the last chapters of the Book of Acts. After he was released from prison in Rome, he continued on his missionary travels. While on these journeys, he wrote the first letter to Timothy. Timothy was then in the city of Ephesus and was the leader of the church there. Paul may have traveled as far as Spain before he went back to Rome where he was again put in prison again. It was from there that he wrote this second letter to Timothy, who was still in Ephesus.
Imagine Paul sitting in a prison cell…possibly confined to a cold, damp, dark dungeon. The first time he was in prison in Rome, he was under house arrest which wasn't as restrictive as his current prison environment. He has been imprisoned several times up until now but he realizes that because of his beliefs and his efforts to share the gospel, he is now facing imprisonment for the last time and execution under the orders of the Roman Emperor, Nero.
The first time that Paul was in prison in Rome was about AD 60. He was there for two years. The first Roman prison account can be found in the last chapters of the Book of Acts. After he was released from prison in Rome, he continued on his missionary travels. While on these journeys, he wrote the first letter to Timothy. Timothy was then in the city of Ephesus and was the leader of the church there. Paul may have traveled as far as Spain before he went back to Rome where he was again put in prison again. It was from there that he wrote this second letter to Timothy, who was still in Ephesus.
Imagine Paul sitting in a prison cell…possibly confined to a cold, damp, dark dungeon. The first time he was in prison in Rome, he was under house arrest which wasn't as restrictive as his current prison environment. He has been imprisoned several times up until now but he realizes that because of his beliefs and his efforts to share the gospel, he is now facing imprisonment for the last time and execution under the orders of the Roman Emperor, Nero.
The Roman Emperor, Nero, savagely persecuted the Christians. To present a brief idea of Nero’s reign, he was only 17 when the throne of power was passed on to him from his uncle through the influences of his mother. She, herself, was known to be manipulative, domineering and because of her attempts to influence Nero’s political and personal decisions, Nero had her killed. Nero, at one time, had been described as “a generous and reasonable leader” although very self-indulgent which later led to a reign of tyranny. Accusations of treason against Nero and the Senate began to surface, and Nero began to react harshly to any form of perceived disloyalty or criticism. In fact, Nero became known to kill any of his opponents which included the Christians. In AD 64, part of Rome was burned down. The Emperor Nero blamed the Christians and the people turned on them. Arrests and executions followed.
The Roman historian, Tacitus recorded these events: "Nero punished a race of men who were hated for their evil practices. These men were called Christians. He got a number of people to confess. On their evidence a number of Christians were convicted and put to death with dreadful cruelty. Some were covered with the skins of wild beasts and left to be eaten by dogs. Others were nailed to the cross. Many were burned alive and set on fire to serve as torches at night." Nero, himself, later committed suicide when Rome revolted against him. Ref: http://www.biography.com/people/nero-9421713?page=2 |
It is not uncommon in our history to learn of men dying for their beliefs. But Paul was not a revolutionary for a cause, rebelling against tyrants and oppressing governments and powers. He was an Apostle, Missionary and Evangelist. His crime: he was a follower of Jesus of Nazareth and he was zealous in proclaiming the gospel. Now in prison and facing death, he wrote his second letter toTimothy…… to warn him to be careful? To perhaps tell him to consider another occupation? No! Quite the opposite. Paul was so convinced of Jesus, whom he believed (2 Timothy 1:12) and served that he encouraged Timothy in the faith and to continue the service of proclaiming the gospel despite any sufferings or adversities.
This is the second and last letter to Timothy from his beloved mentor and teacher . Timothy was the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother. His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, both believed the gospel of Christ (2 Timothy 1:5). They and Timothy probably became Christians when Paul first went to the town of Lystra (Acts 14). When Paul came the second time to Lystra, he asked Timothy to join his team (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy became a close friend, helper and was Paul’s traveling companion on the second and third missionary journeys. Paul had left him in Ephesus and appointed Timothy to lead and look after the church there. Given the problems Timothy was experiencing with the church at Ephesus and the mounting persecutions against Christians, Timothy no doubt needed the encouragement and support which was the focus of Paul’s letter to him.
Part 1: Read 2 Timothy 1: 1- 18 Encouragement to Serve
Focus Scriptures: (1:7, 8 – 12 NIV)
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”.
“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day”.
Meditation and Thoughts:
Paul was encouraging Timothy to persevere. Timothy needed the courage and self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts he had already received (vs 6). [The theme of Paul’s second letter to Timothy was in regard to continue in preaching the gospel. But in 1 Timothy 4:13, we see that Paul discusses the gifts of preaching and teaching as Timothy’s spiritual gifts.]
Timothy was experiencing opposition to his message and to himself as a leader because of his age, his association with Paul. His leadership had come under fire from believers and non-believers alike.
Q: In verse 7, what three characteristics did Paul see as an effective Christian leader?
o
o
o
You may have noted that, as believers, we are instilled with the spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. These are available to us because the Holy Spirit lives in us (Ref: Romans 8: 11 ). When we follow His leading every day, our life will more fully exhibit these characteristics Do you allow fear to prevent you from sharing your faith with others? When we allow these fears to hinder us, we are not as effective in our witness to ourselves of His power at work in us and in seeing opportunities of sharing or ministering to others.
Deeper Search: View this scripture in three different parallel scripture versions.
Example: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20tim%201%3A7&version=NIV;MSG;KJV
Did these translations shed additional insight? Some translation versions use self-discipline, self-control, sound mind, good judgment and even sobriety as possible English translation for the original Greek word used here. By looking at these possible uses, we can gain additional insight and perspective. Paul tells us that God does not give us a spirit of fear or timidity. Fear causes us to sometime act irrational, not think straight and not do what we are supposed to do. We often hinder ourselves for fear of what will happen or how someone will receive what we want to say or share. When we act this way based on fear, we are not being of sound mind and using good judgment and certainly not acting upon the power of the Spirit that God has given us. It has been suggested that F.E.A.R. stands for “False Evidence Appearing Real”. Yes, sometimes our fears are unsubstantiated because we naturally fear what we don’t know for certain. But the reality can also be that our fears can be substantiated. In Paul’s and Timothy’s case, they had every natural right to be fearful. The Christians of their day were being greatly persecuted. Personally speaking, considering the hesitancy I experience today in sharing my faith for fear of only how I will be perceived, how fearful would I be if I faced actual persecution and possible death? But the point is, God doesn’t instill us with fear or timidity. He gives us a spirit that allows us to be bold despite opposition, persecution and even death. Wow! Why? Because we can be certain of Whom we serve!
This is the second and last letter to Timothy from his beloved mentor and teacher . Timothy was the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother. His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, both believed the gospel of Christ (2 Timothy 1:5). They and Timothy probably became Christians when Paul first went to the town of Lystra (Acts 14). When Paul came the second time to Lystra, he asked Timothy to join his team (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy became a close friend, helper and was Paul’s traveling companion on the second and third missionary journeys. Paul had left him in Ephesus and appointed Timothy to lead and look after the church there. Given the problems Timothy was experiencing with the church at Ephesus and the mounting persecutions against Christians, Timothy no doubt needed the encouragement and support which was the focus of Paul’s letter to him.
Part 1: Read 2 Timothy 1: 1- 18 Encouragement to Serve
Focus Scriptures: (1:7, 8 – 12 NIV)
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”.
“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day”.
Meditation and Thoughts:
Paul was encouraging Timothy to persevere. Timothy needed the courage and self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts he had already received (vs 6). [The theme of Paul’s second letter to Timothy was in regard to continue in preaching the gospel. But in 1 Timothy 4:13, we see that Paul discusses the gifts of preaching and teaching as Timothy’s spiritual gifts.]
Timothy was experiencing opposition to his message and to himself as a leader because of his age, his association with Paul. His leadership had come under fire from believers and non-believers alike.
Q: In verse 7, what three characteristics did Paul see as an effective Christian leader?
o
o
o
You may have noted that, as believers, we are instilled with the spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. These are available to us because the Holy Spirit lives in us (Ref: Romans 8: 11 ). When we follow His leading every day, our life will more fully exhibit these characteristics Do you allow fear to prevent you from sharing your faith with others? When we allow these fears to hinder us, we are not as effective in our witness to ourselves of His power at work in us and in seeing opportunities of sharing or ministering to others.
Deeper Search: View this scripture in three different parallel scripture versions.
Example: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20tim%201%3A7&version=NIV;MSG;KJV
Did these translations shed additional insight? Some translation versions use self-discipline, self-control, sound mind, good judgment and even sobriety as possible English translation for the original Greek word used here. By looking at these possible uses, we can gain additional insight and perspective. Paul tells us that God does not give us a spirit of fear or timidity. Fear causes us to sometime act irrational, not think straight and not do what we are supposed to do. We often hinder ourselves for fear of what will happen or how someone will receive what we want to say or share. When we act this way based on fear, we are not being of sound mind and using good judgment and certainly not acting upon the power of the Spirit that God has given us. It has been suggested that F.E.A.R. stands for “False Evidence Appearing Real”. Yes, sometimes our fears are unsubstantiated because we naturally fear what we don’t know for certain. But the reality can also be that our fears can be substantiated. In Paul’s and Timothy’s case, they had every natural right to be fearful. The Christians of their day were being greatly persecuted. Personally speaking, considering the hesitancy I experience today in sharing my faith for fear of only how I will be perceived, how fearful would I be if I faced actual persecution and possible death? But the point is, God doesn’t instill us with fear or timidity. He gives us a spirit that allows us to be bold despite opposition, persecution and even death. Wow! Why? Because we can be certain of Whom we serve!