Survey of the New Testament Writings Lesson Number 16 The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy Name of Bible Student. Date of Completion.. Background and Purpose Background: The term pastoral epistles, as a common title for I and II Timothy and Titus, dates from the early part of the 18 th century. Though these letters do furnish worthwhile directions for pastors, the addressees were not pastors in the usual, present-day sense of that term. Rather, they were Paul s special envoys sent by him on specific missions and entrusted with concrete assignments according to the need of the hour. Emperor Nero, blamed for Rome s fearful conflagration (the great fire in July, A.D. 64), in turn blames Christians, who suffer frightful persecution. Paul is imprisoned (second Roman imprisonment). He faces death (II Tim. 1:16, 17; 2:9). Luke alone is with him. Others have left him, either on legitimate missions (Crescens, Titus) or by reason of having fallen in love with the present world, such as Demas (4:6-11). Meanwhile, soul-destroying error continues in Timothy s Ephesus (1:6; 2:3, 12, 14-18, 23; 3:8-12). Purpose: To urge Timothy to come to Rome as soon as possible in view of the apostle s impending departure from this life, and to bring with him Mark and Paul s cloak and books (4:6-22). Also to admonish Timothy to cling to sound doctrine, defending it against all error (Chap. 2; 4:1-5). Summary: There can be little doubt that Timothy was at Ephesus at the time when this epistle was addressed to him. The evidence for this opinion is thus stated by Lightfoot and others. Paul directs Timothy to salute the household of Onesiphorus, chap. 4:19. But it is evident, from chap. 1:18 that Onesiphorus was an Ephesian, and as the direction is to salute his household, it may be argued with the more certainty that Timothy was then at Ephesus, the ordinary residence of the family of Onesiphorus. Paul directs Timothy to pick up his coat, books and parchment from Troas, when he comes to him at Rome (chap. 4:13), which was the way that Paul had gone to Ephesus (2 Cor. 2:12; Acts 20:5), thus showing that this was the usual route of travel, and was a way which Timothy would naturally take in passing from Ephesus to Rome. It is true that this does not absolutely prove that he was at Ephesus, - since, if he had been in any other part of the western portion of Asia Minor, the direction would have been the same but it is a slight circumstance corroborating others. Paul warns Timothy to beware of Alexander (chap. 4:14), who we know as an Ephesian (1 Timothy 1:20; Acts 19:33). In chap. 4:9, Paul gives direction to Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, and then adds (ver. 19), Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. From this it would seem that one reason why Paul wished Timothy to come was, that he had appointed one to occupy his place there, so that he could leave without injury to the cause. But it would seem also probable that Paul was not in the habit of calling away a labourer from an important station without supplying his place. Thus, in Titus 3:12, Paul says, When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me. It may thence be inferred that Timothy was at Ephesus at the time when Paul wrote to him, and that he had taken care that his place should not be left vacant, by the appointment of Tychicus to fill it when he should leave. It may be added, that the errors and vices which Timothy is directed to oppose, are the same which are referred to in the firsts epistle, and it may be hence inferred that he was at the same place. How long Timothy had been in Ephesus is not certainly known, and is not material to be known in order to a proper understanding of the epistle. It does not appear, from the Acts, that he was with Paul during the two years in which he was in Caesarea, nor during his voyage to Rome; yet it is certain that he was in Rome when Paul wrote to the Philippians, to the Colossians, and to Philemon, because he is named in the titles to those epistles. In Hebrew 13:23, Paul says that Timothy was set at liberty, or, more probably, sent away, but 1
to what place he had gone is not mentioned. Nothing would be more natural, however, than that he should visit Ephesus again, and it is not important that Paul would leave him there when he again visited Rome. Outline I. To encourage Timothy to be bold and fearless. II. To encourage Timothy to be faithful in testings. III. Warn Timothy of apostasy in the future. IV. Ask Timothy to come and see him, bringing needed possessions. Topical Breakdown of the Chapters: 1. Pastoral appeal. Reminder of responsibilities and privileges. 2. Practical appeal. Effort to solve some problems. 3. Prophetic appeal. Points out the importance of holding fast. 4. Personal appeal. Appeal to Timothy to remain true. II Timothy was the last epistle which Paul wrote. He was again a prisoner, this time apparently in a dungeon in Rome, expecting soon to be executed (4:6). The epistle was probably written in A.D. 68, the year of Paul s death. It describes the life and conduct of a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2:3). This conduct is to be exemplary (chapter 1), courageous (chapter 2), steadfast (chapter 3) and fervent (chapter 4). Like II Peter and the Epistle of Jude this letter warns of the apostasy which had already begun to set in. The apostle deeply conscious of those who have turned away from the truth (1:15; 4:10). He encourages and exhorts Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony for Christ (1:8) and to hold fast the form of sound words (1:13). In the second chapter of the epistle, Timothy, Paul s son in the faith, is exhorted to be a courageous soldier (verses 1-4), a careful athlete (verse 5), a persevering farmer (verse 6), a diligent workman (verse 15), a clean vessel (verses 20, 21) and a gentle servant of the Lord (verses 24-26). That which will sustain Timothy in the perilous time is his knowledge of the Word of God. He is exhorted to continue in the things which he has learned (3:14), for all scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable in Christian living (3:16, 17). The solemn charge to Timothy in the concluding chapter of the epistle becomes more poignant as we think of the life of the apostle Paul himself and hear his testimony as he approaches the goal: I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith (4:7). Now he looks forward to the Lord s heavenly kingdom (4:18). Key Verse II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto Go d, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Date of Writing: Probably A.D. 68, the year of his death. The Book Occupies the 55 th place in the Bible, and 16 th in the New Testament. It contains 4 chapters, and 83 verses. Assignments Please read the 4 short chapters of Paul s Second Epistle to Timothy, and circle the chapter numbers below for your records. 1, 2, 3, 4 2
Application After finished reading Paul s Second Epistle to Timothy, prayerfully consider the passages you have read. Evaluate and note key events. Make a mental note for yourself, or use a notebook, and write down the things which most impressed you. Ask yourself the questions: What is this epistle trying to teach me? What could be the practical application of the things I have learned from this book, which maybe able to help me in my daily walk with the Lord? And when the Holy Spirit illuminates those areas, then prayerfully allow His leading into the part where you will implement them into your daily life. Now, go ahead and take the test. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Test #16 to the Survey of the New Testament Writings The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy Did you read the Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy? YES NO (If your answer is NO, please do not continue with the test. Take out your Bible and read Paul s Second Epistle to Timothy as your home assignment. Thank you!) When did the term Pastoral Epistles originate? Which are the Pastoral Epistles? [3] Were the addresses pastors in the present-day sense of the term? Yes No If Timothy and Titus were not pastors, then who were they? When did the great fire of Rome occurred? Who blamed the Christians for burning Rome with fire? Paul was imprisoned during the great fire of Rome for the S time. What did he face (also give Scripture references)? [4] Who was with him in prison? C and T left Paul on legitimate missions, but D left Paul because he fell in love with the world. [3] Meanwhile, what continued in Timothy s Ephesus (also give Scripture references)? [7] What were the three-fold purposes for writing II Timothy (also give Scripture references)? 3
Was there any doubt that Timothy was at Ephesus at the writing of the epistle? Yes No Paul directs Timothy to salute the household of O (chap. 4:19). Where did Onesiphorus live? What was Timothy to pick up for Paul from Troas? [3] Paul warns Timothy to beware of A, who was an Ephesian. Whom did Paul send to replace Timothy, while the latter will be going to visit Paul in Rome? Is it possible that the errors and vices which Timothy is directed to oppose may have been in existence during the writing of I Timothy? Yes No Write down the four-point outline of II Timothy. [4] Write down the four-point topical breakdown of each chapter. [4] Which was the last book or epistle Paul has written? According to II Timothy 4:6 Paul was a prisoner in a dungeon in Rome, E soon to be E. [2] What year as the epistle written? What year did Paul die? What does II Timothy 2:3 describe concerning Paul? According to chapter 1, Timothy s conduct was to be E. According to chapter 2, Timothy s conduct was to be C. According to chapter 3, Timothy s conduct was to be S. According to chapter 4, Timothy s conduct was to be F. What was the common denominator between II Timothy, II Peter, and the Epistle of Jude? Was Paul conscious of those who have turned away from the truth? Yes No Paul encourages and exhorts Timothy not to be A of the testimony for Christ (1:8) and to hold fast the form of S W (1:13). [2] 4
In the second chapter Paul exhorts Timothy to be a courageous S (verses 1-4), a careful A (verse 5), a persevering F (verse 6), a diligent workman (verse 15), a clean V (verses 20, 21), and a gentle S of the Lord (verses 24-26). [5] What will sustain Timothy in the perilous time? According to II Timothy 3:14, in what should Timothy continue? Give us the summary of II Timothy 3:16, 17. What was Paul s final testimony to Timothy, according to 4:7? What was Paul looking for in II Timothy 4:18? List the key verse of the epistle (also give reference). The epistle occupies the th place in the Bile, and th place in the New Testament. It contains chapters, and verses. [4] After reading II Timothy, which Bible verse appealed to you more than any other (also give reference)? [2] How would you (briefly) summarize Chapter 1? How would you (briefly) summarize Chapter 2? 5
How would you (briefly) summarize Chapter 3? How would you (briefly) summarize Chapter 4? Personal Notes The above lesson can be downloaded from the following Web address: http://www.gbcwpny.org/ The completed test can be mailed to the following e-mail address: barnabasjh@yahoo.com 6