Overview of the Book of 2 Timothy
Purpose:
To call for Timothy to visit Paul in his last days and to encourage Timothy in his ministry against false teachers in Ephesus.
Date: A.D. 64-68
Paul wrote 2 Timothy from prison, probably during a second Roman imprisonment (2 Tim. 1:8; 2:9; see also "Introduction to 1 Timothy: Time and Place of Writing"). Precisely why he was under arrest, or even where he was arrested, is unknown. He had been given a preliminary hearing, at which he had received no support (2 Tim. 4:16). His trial still awaited him, but he knew that it would end in his execution (2 Tim. 4:6). Most of Paul's friends found it convenient to be elsewhere (2 Tim. 4:10-11). He had been troubled by the actions of Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Tim. 1:15-16) and Alexander the metalworker (2 Tim. 4:14), although a Christian named Onesiphorus had been an encouragement to him (2 Tim. 1:16-18).
Timothy's mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were both Christians (2 Tim. 1:5) who had given Timothy early training in the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15). The letter includes a probable reference to his ordination (2 Tim. 1:6; 2:2).
Like 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy exhibits a strong concern for sound doctrine (2 Tim. 1:13-14; 2:2; 4:1-5) and contains marvelous theological meditations on the grace of God (2 Tim. 1:8-11), the faithfulness of Christ (2 Tim. 2:11-13) and the nature and function of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:15-17). There are affirmations of salvation by grace (2 Tim. 1:9), election (2 Tim. 1:9; 2:10, 19) and the divine inspiration of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). Second Timothy also affirms the resurrection (2 Tim. 2:8) and the second coming (2 Tim. 4:1, 8) of Christ. See also "Introduction to 1 Timothy: Purpose and Distinctives."
As the last of Paul's letters, 2 Timothy is especially important because it provides us with some final insights regarding the apostle Paul. His situation was bleak. No longer could he look forward to fruitful ministry (cf. Phil. 1:22-26). Most of his friends had left him (2 Tim. 4:10-11). Yet Paul remained confident. He was not ashamed to suffer for the Gospel (2 Tim. 1:12) and was willing to "endure everything for the sake of the elect" (2 Tim. 2:10). He knew that he had been faithful to Christ (2 Tim. 4:7) and that Christ would always remain faithful (2 Tim. 1:12; 2:13). Therefore Paul had confidence that the One who had rescued him from death in the past (2 Tim. 3:11; 4:17) would rescue him through death into eternal life (2 Tim. 4:8, 18).
Notes from the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, Dr. Richard Pratt, ed. (Zondervan, 2003).Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. is Co-Founder and President of Third Millennium Ministries who served as Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary and has authored numerous books.