2 Timothy 1

Paul writes to Timothy from prison, near the end of his life. He encourages his younger co-worker to stir up his gift, refuse shame, and suffer for the gospel in God’s power. He urges Timothy to guard the truth he has received, and he points to the faithful Onesiphorus as an example.

2 Timothy 1:1

Paul opens as an apostle, sent not by his own choice but by God’s will. His whole mission serves a promise: the life that is found in Christ Jesus. Even as he faces death in prison, he writes as a man sent to announce life.

BSA: promise (“commitment, assurance”): God has bound Himself to give this life, so it rests on His faithfulness and not on human effort.

See also: Titus 1:2.

2 Timothy 1:2

Timothy is Paul’s beloved child in the faith, probably brought to Christ through Paul’s ministry. Paul wishes him grace, mercy, and peace. Each of these comes from God the Father and Christ Jesus, and Timothy will need all three for the hard road ahead.

BSA: mercy (“pity, compassion”): God meets human weakness with tender compassion, which a struggling young leader needs.

2 Timothy 1:3

Paul gives thanks to God, whom he has served with a clear conscience, as his Jewish ancestors also worshiped the one God. Paul sees continuity with the faith of his fathers. He prays for Timothy constantly, night and day.

BSA: constantly (“without ceasing, continuously”): Timothy is never far from Paul’s prayers, whatever the hour.

2 Timothy 1:4

Paul remembers Timothy’s tears, perhaps from their last parting. He deeply wants to see his friend again. Even a great apostle needed companionship, and he says that seeing Timothy would fill him with joy.

BSA: long (“greatly desire, yearn”): Paul’s longing is a deep ache for his friend, not a mild wish.

2 Timothy 1:5

Paul recalls Timothy’s genuine faith. It was first seen in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, and Paul is sure it lives in Timothy too. Faith is often passed down through families, and God uses quiet household devotion.

BSA: sincere (“unfeigned, genuine”): This faith is real, with nothing put on for show.

Greek: ἀνυποκρίτου (anypokritou, G505) — “without hypocrisy, unfeigned.” The word comes from the idea of an actor wearing a mask. Timothy’s faith has no mask; it is the real thing.

See also: 2 Timothy 3:14-15; Acts 16:1.

2 Timothy 1:6

Paul tells Timothy to fan his God-given gift into flame. The gift came with the laying on of Paul’s hands, when Timothy was set apart for ministry. A gift can burn low through neglect or discouragement, and it must be stirred up again.

BSA: fan into flame (“to rekindle, stir up”): The gift is a real fire that needs fresh air and attention, or it will fade to embers.

Greek: ἀναζωπυρεῖν (anazōpyrein, G329) — “to kindle up again, to rekindle.” The picture is of coals that are still alive under the ashes. Timothy needs to blow on them until they blaze.

See also: 1 Timothy 4:14.

2 Timothy 1:7

God has not given us a spirit of fear. The word means timidity or cowardice. What He gives is power to endure, love for others, and a steady, sound mind. Timidity is not from God, and His Spirit supplies what the task demands.

BSA: self-control (“self-discipline, a sound mind”): God gives a clear, steady mind that is not tossed about by fear.

Greek: σωφρονισμοῦ (sōphronismou, G4995) — “sound judgment, self-discipline.” It means a well-ordered mind that stays level under pressure. This is the opposite of panic.

See also: Romans 8:15.

2 Timothy 1:8

Paul urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord, nor of Paul the prisoner. Association with Christ and with His suffering servants can cost a person respect. Paul invites Timothy to share the hardship, relying on God’s power and not his own strength.

BSA: ashamed (“feel regret or embarrassment”): The temptation is to back away quietly from the gospel and from its suffering messengers. power (“strength, miraculous ability”): The strength to suffer well is God’s, not ours.

See also: Romans 1:16; Mark 8:38.

2 Timothy 1:9

God saved us and called us to a holy life. He did this not because of anything we did, but by His own purpose and grace. That grace was given to us in Christ before time began, so salvation rests entirely on God’s gift.

BSA: called (“invited, summoned”): God Himself takes the initiative and summons us. grace (“unmerited favor, kindness”): It is a gift we could never earn.

See also: Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5.

2 Timothy 1:10

What God planned before time began has now been made plain in the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality into the light through the gospel. Death remains for now, but it no longer rules.

BSA: abolished (“done away with, made powerless”): Death still happens, but it has lost its power to hold believers. illuminated (“shed light on, made visible”): Christ has lit up what was hidden in darkness, so we can see the way to life.

Greek: καταργήσαντος (katargēsantos, G2673) — “made inoperative, rendered powerless.” The word does not mean wiped out of existence. It means stripped of effect, like a ruler removed from power.

See also: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Hebrews 2:14-15.

2 Timothy 1:11

Paul says he was appointed for this gospel as a herald, an apostle, and a teacher. He announces it, he is sent with it, and he explains it. His calling came from God, and his sufferings are part of the task.

BSA: preacher (“herald of divine truth, messenger”): A herald speaks the king’s message and does not invent his own.

See also: 1 Timothy 2:7.

2 Timothy 1:12

Because of this calling Paul suffers, but he is not ashamed. His confidence rests on a person, not an idea: he knows whom he has believed. He is sure Christ can keep safe what he has entrusted to Him until the day Christ returns.

BSA: guard (“protect, watch over”): Paul’s life and future are in Christ’s safe keeping. entrusted (“committed, given over”): Paul has placed everything on deposit with Christ.

Greek: παραθήκην (parathēkēn, G3866) — “a deposit, something placed in safe keeping.” It is the word for a valuable item left with a trusted person. Paul has left his life, and the gospel work, with Christ. It may also mean what Christ has entrusted to Paul.

See also: 1 Peter 4:19.

2 Timothy 1:13

Timothy is to hold fast to the pattern of healthy teaching he heard from Paul. It must be kept in faith and love, which are found in Christ Jesus. True doctrine is held with a warm heart and not with a cold or harsh spirit.

BSA: pattern (“example, model to follow”): The teaching is a model to follow closely, like an artist’s outline. sound (“healthy, uncorrupt”): Good teaching builds spiritual health.

Greek: ὑγιαινόντων (hygiainontōn, G5198) — “healthy, sound.” This is the root of our word hygiene. Paul pictures true teaching as health-giving.

See also: 1 Timothy 6:3.

2 Timothy 1:14

Timothy must guard the good treasure entrusted to him, the gospel truth. He does not do it alone. The Holy Spirit lives within believers and helps them keep what is precious safe.

BSA: treasure (“good thing, deposit”): The gospel is a valuable deposit left in his care. dwells (“lives, resides”): The Spirit is a permanent resident, not a passing visitor.

See also: 1 Timothy 6:20.

2 Timothy 1:15

Paul tells of a painful loss: many in Asia have turned away from him, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. Being abandoned in his hour of need hurt him. Timothy learns that faithfulness is sometimes lonely, and that some will fall away.

BSA: deserted (“turned away, abandoned”): They turned their backs on Paul, probably out of fear of being linked with a prisoner.

2 Timothy 1:16

In contrast, Paul prays for mercy on the household of Onesiphorus. He often refreshed Paul and was not ashamed of his chains. Where others ran from Paul’s prison, this man’s kindness stood out.

BSA: refreshed (“revived, given rest”): His visits put new life into Paul, like cool air to a tired man. unashamed (“not embarrassed”): He did exactly what Paul asked Timothy to do in verse 8.

2 Timothy 1:17

When Onesiphorus came to Rome, he did not simply ask after Paul. He searched hard until he found him. Prisoners could be moved or hard to locate, so this took real effort and risk. Loving help often takes persistence.

BSA: diligently (“eagerly, with earnestness”): He pressed on in his search and did not give up easily.

2 Timothy 1:18

Paul prays that the Lord will grant Onesiphorus mercy on that day, the day of final judgment. He also reminds Timothy of how much Onesiphorus served in Ephesus. Faithful service, even if unseen by others, is remembered by the Lord.

BSA: ministered (“served, attended to needs”): His help was practical care for real needs.

See also: Matthew 25:35-40; Hebrews 6:10.