2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1:1

As you may recall, Paul endured two periods of imprisonment… The Book of Acts closes with Paul under house arrest in Rome. Although he was linked to a guard at all times, he lived in his own quarters and was able to have visitors. After his release from house arrest, Paul embarked on yet another missionary journey, probably into Spain. Upon his return to Rome, he was arrested a second time. This time, however, Paul was put in a dark, damp dungeon. Why? The reason most probably lies with the then-emperor of RomeCaesar Nero… According to historical evidence, such a megalomaniac was Caesar Nero that he desired to burn Rome in order to rebuild it and become known as the supreme architect of a rebuilt Rome. Thus, the majority of historians believe that Caesar Nero was the one who set the fire that did, indeed, burn the city in A.D. 64. Needing a scapegoat for the fire, Nero chose to blame Christians. “These Christians are always talking about being the light of the world,” he said, “but really they’re nothing but a bunch of arsonists and cannibals"referring to Communion. Eventually, Caesar Nero would ride through his palace grounds, shrieking with glee, as he watched Christians lit as human torches. Why did Nero descend to such depths of insanity? Historical evidence points to the fact that Nero went insane after he had a discussion with Paul the apostle. Church history indicates that Paul was indeed brought into a discussion with Nero before he was beheaded. Thus, it was at the point that Nero rejected the gospel that he seemingly lost his mind. Awaiting trial before Caesar Nero, Paul picks up his pen for the last time… I love this opening salutation. Knowing he’s probably only days away from his death, Paul talks about life. What kind of life? Eternal life. He’s ready to pull up stakes and move on. He’s not downcast or depressed because he sees the bigger picturethe promise of life. If you believe in Jesus, I have good news for you: You’re never going to die. You’re just going to “move” on to heaven. God is so good to allow these tents we inhabit to fall apart through the aging process because, in so doing, He’s getting us ready to move into the fabulous home He is preparing for us, and for the new bodies He will give us that are designed for eternity, custom-made for the cosmos.

2 Timothy 1:2

As noted in 1 Timothy, it seems Paul led Timothy to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ during his first missionary journey. On his second journey, Paul again encountered Timothy, and this time invited Timothy to travel with him. I like that! We need to include younger people on the journey we’re on, in the ministry to which we’re called. Whatever might be your calling, say, “Lord, show me those who I can bring alongside me to travel with me"and then begin to entrust to them an even greater degree of ministry. I’m so thankful there were people in my life who took chances with me when I was young. But what if the younger Christians mess up? Sometimes they will, but, as Solomon said, “Although an empty stable stays clean, an empty stable brings no profits” (see Pro_14:4). We need to make way for those who are younger because along with the potential for an occasional mess in the stable, there is about them a vitality and an ability to relate sometimes lacking in those of us who are older. Paul took a chance on Timothyand Timothy profited Paul greatly. In his usual fashion, Paul uses the traditional Greek greeting of charis, or “grace,” coupled with the traditional Hebrew greeting of shalom, or “peace.” But he wisely adds mercy as he thinks of the vulnerabilities of young Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:3

No doubt unable to sleep well in a dungeon, what did Paul do? Grumble? No. Complain? No. He saw his prison as a place of prayer. Perhaps you feel imprisoned by past decisions. “I can’t believe I married him. The Lord could have used me on the mission field. I could have done great things for the kingdom. But here I am, stuck washing his underwear and socks.” What can you do? Do what Paul did. Use the opportunity of folding laundry to pray night and day, for that’s the most powerful ministry there is. If you’re stuck in a boring job or difficult relationship, don’t try to find a way out. Instead, say, “The dungeon I’m in gives me opportunity to do what I might never have done were I in another place or another ministry: I can pray night and day.” Eternity will reward those who, because they are in seeming dungeons on earth, lift themselves and others up in prayer to the very gates of heaven. Wouldn’t you love to have Paul praying for you night and day? But wait. Jesus Christ Himself is at the right hand of the Father, praying for you and me even now (Heb_7:25). And unlike me, unlike Paul, He never grows weary in prayer (Psa_121:3). Oh, to truly believe and firmly embrace the fact that Jesus, our faithful High Priest, is at the right hand of the Father, saying, “Jon needs You desperately. Let’s bless him.”

2 Timothy 1:4

One of the few called a “man of God” in the Bible (1Ti_6:11), Timothy was, nonetheless, sickly. He fought timidity. And he cried. Thus, he was not necessarily the kind of guy of whom I would have said, “Here’s my man.” But although he was sickly and timid, young and emotional, Paul saw in Timothy one who had a desire to serve the Lord with all his heart, one whose priority was the kingdom. The Lord delights in using the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things to show up the strong because when He uses people like Timothypeople like you and meHe gets all the glory!

2 Timothy 1:5

In Lois, I am reminded of my own grandmother who, although she “moved” to heaven when I was only three years old, impacted my life so greatly that I still clearly remember her teaching me Bible verses and stories.

2 Timothy 1:6

“Your heritage is godly, Timothy. Now, stir up the gift within you,” says Paul. Why do people let their gifts go dormant? I’m convinced it’s because of fear. “If I share that word of prophecywhat if people don’t understand?” “If I give that utterance in tongueswhat if there’s no interpretation?” “If I witness on my campus or at my jobwhat if people think I’m a Holy Joe?” “If I lay hands on that sick person and he’s not healedpeople will think I’m a failure.” My experience, however, has shown the opposite to be true. For example, in praying for healing, I’ve seen people healed immediately; I’ve seen people healed later on down the road; I’ve seen people get sicker; I’ve seen people die. But never once in the multiplied hundreds of times that I’ve prayed for Christians and non-Christians alike have I ever heard someone say, “I’m angry that you prayed for me.” People always say, “Thank you,” and mean it.

2 Timothy 1:7

This is a great verse to teach your kids at a young age. After all, if they have power, love, and a sound mindthey’re in pretty good shape!

2 Timothy 1:8

Although we know we’re saved by grace, why is it that we have a tendency to think we can only be blessed through works? Yes, James says faith without works is dead (Jas_2:20). However, blessing comes neither from faith and works, nor from faith or works, but from faith that works in response to the grace God has already bestowed upon us.

2 Timothy 1:10

Where is the grace of God, the love of God, the goodness of God manifested? In Jesus Christ. “I don’t need to go to church because I just go out into the woods on Sunday and feel really close to God,” some say. Or, “I sense God’s presence most clearly under the blue sky on a golf course.” I don’t doubt there is truth in that, for Psalms 19 says the heavens declare the glory of God, and Romans 1 declares that all of creation testifies of the ingenuity, power, and creativity of the Father. The heavens, trees, mountains, and oceans, indeed, speak of God’s power and creativity. But not of His love and grace. “I’m going to walk on the beach tonight instead of going to church,” a Floridian might sayunaware that the biggest storm in thirty years is rumbling through the beaches of Pensacola. With winds blowing at one hundred nineteen miles per hour, roofs are blowing off houses and people are getting hurt. Yes, nature gives witness to the reality of God, but it is a limited witness and can be a confusing message. That’s why pagan cultures tried to appease the god of nature with human sacrifices, hoping that they would not be swallowed up in earthquakes or burned up in lava floes. The only way to understand the grace and goodness of God is not by going hunting on Sunday, but by remembering what Jesus did on Calvary, opening up the Scriptures with your brothers and sisters corporately, and worshiping Him in unity. “I’m a preacher,” said Paul, “but I’m also a teacher.” Preaching and teaching are different ministries. Preaching is proclaiming the Good News of the gospel to a world lost and headed for destruction. Teaching, on the other hand, is grounding believers in the full orb of Scripture. Concerning marriage, Paul simply said, “In light of the times, let those that are married be as though they’re not.” In fact, he went on to say, “Let those that weep be as though they wept not; those that buy, be as though they possessed not” (see 1Co_7:29-30). Thus, I find it interesting that the three subjects people most want to deal with in the church are marriage, emotions, and money matterssubjects Paul addressed very lightly. What did Paul emphasize? The same themes Jesus did. He emphasized the huge, overarching themes of the kingdometernity, redemption, justification, sanctification, walking in the Spirit, the nature of the Father. Why does he emphasize those things? Because when they are understood, everything else falls into place (Mat_6:33). If I didn’t teach through the Bible, I would have a tendency to choose certain subjects and ride them indefinitely. But as I teach through the Word, I find subjects are addressed in the right proportion at precisely the right time. If you’re in ministry, teach the Bible from cover to cover. Avoid the temptation to talk about the issues people think they want to hear. Be like Paul, a preacher to non-believers, and a teacher of the full orb of Scripture to those who believe. I know whom I have believed. Circle the word “whom.” Underline it. Meditate on it. Paul doesn’t say, “I know what I believe.” He says, “I know Who I believe.” That’s the key. What gets you through the dark, damp, dungeons of life? Not what you believe. It’s who you believe. Many people know what they believe doctrinally. They know what they believe theologically. But they don’t know Jesus personally. Others may not be all that familiar with the theology, but they know Jesus intimatelyand they’re a joy to be around. “What” will never see you through dark, damp dungeon days. It will only say, “Wait a minute. This doesn’t figure in to my theology.” But if you know Who you believe, you’ll join Paul in saying, “Lord, if You have me here in this dungeon, that’s okay with me. After all, when I remember what You did for me on the Cross, how could I not trust You?”

2 Timothy 1:13

I believe Paul models the principle of specifically identifying false teachers who knowingly and poisonously peddle heresy.

2 Timothy 1:16

In contrast to Phygellus and Hermogenes, Paul writes of Onesiphorus as one who truly cared about him. Interestingly, all of Paul’s allusions to Onesiphorus are in the aorist, or past tense, including a reference at the end of this letter (2Ti_4:19).[[The aorist is referred here as a past tense, but in one of the earlier books it was spoken of as a continuing tense once when referring to Rom_3:24 “being justified.”. Can they be the same?]] Therefore, we can conclude that Onesiphorus had died, “moved on” to his heavenly home. In this, we are given interesting insight into Paul’s heart for this one to whom he felt uniquely linked at a time when everyone else had abandoned hima link that transcended the temporary separation that exists between we who are looking forward to the day when we will be in heaven and those who are already there.