FocusEncouragement without fear
Connection to the wholePaul's remembrance of Timothy's faith leads to the call to stir up God's gift rather than yield to fear.
interpretation 2 Timothy 1:3
KJVI thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Read it in context
Faith remembered and the gift stirred
Start reading at 2 Timothy 1:1 (2 Timothy 1:1 to 2 Timothy 1:7).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Paul's remembrance of Timothy's faith leads to the call to stir up God's gift rather than yield to fear.
- 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
- 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
- 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
- 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
- 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Paul is the named author, traditionally understood as writing to Timothy late in his ministry. Biblical references: 2 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 4:6. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Timothy 1:1–4:22): Paul addresses Timothy personally, urging faithful teaching and endurance and asking him to come; coworkers and opponents are named in the circumstances he describes. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Timothy, called Paul's dearly beloved son, with instructions he is to entrust to other faithful teachers. Biblical references: 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:2. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Faith remembered and the gift stirred. Read 2 Timothy 1:1 through 2 Timothy 1:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Paul's remembrance of Timothy's faith leads to the call to stir up God's gift rather than yield to fear. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Paul describes imprisonment and speaks of his departure as approaching. The letter does not state a calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Rome is named in the account of Onesiphorus' search for Paul; other places concern earlier ministry and fellow workers. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Faith remembered and the gift stirred (2 Timothy 1:1 to 2 Timothy 1:7). Start reading at 2 Timothy 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Paul calls Timothy to remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead and to continue in the Scriptures that make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ. See 2 Timothy 1:17, 2 Timothy 2:8, 2 Timothy 3:15. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Continue faithfully in teaching and conduct despite opposition. Use Scripture for its stated work of instruction and correction, and do not confuse faithfulness with the absence of suffering. interpretation
Cited: 2 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 1:17, 2 Timothy 2:8, 2 Timothy 3:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Paul the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysPaul names himself in the opening verse.
2 Timothy 1:1
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Paul.
What is debatedGrouped with the other Pastorals in the critical discussion above.
Related passages
- I thank Rom 1:8 Eph 1:16
- whom 2 Tim 1:5 2 Tim 3:15 Acts 22:3 Acts 24:14 Acts 26:4 Acts 27:23 Gal 1:14
- with Acts 23:1 Acts 24:16 Rom 1:9 Rom 9:1 2 Cor 1:12 1 Tim 1:5,19 Heb 13:8
- that Rom 1:9 1 Thess 1:2-3 1 Thess 3:10
- night Luke 2:37
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
2 Timothy 1
Paul writes to Timothy from a setting of suffering and approaching death, urging him to preserve and teach the received message. The personal charge repeatedly joins sound doctrine with endurance and conduct.
2 Timothy 1:1 2 Timothy 1:2 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 4:6
Do not be ashamed
2 Timothy 1:8–14FocusThe gospel and the entrusted pattern
Connection to the wholePaul connects willingness to suffer with God's saving purpose and urges Timothy to keep sound words and the trust through the Holy Ghost.
interpretation Contrasting responses to Paul
2 Timothy 1:15–18FocusDesertion and loyal service
Connection to the wholeThe named examples place the preceding call to courage beside actual cases of abandonment and unashamed care.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
2 Timothy
Paul writes to Timothy from a setting of suffering and approaching death, urging him to preserve and teach the received message. The personal charge repeatedly joins sound doctrine with endurance and conduct.
2 Timothy 1:1 2 Timothy 1:2 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 4:6
FocusCourage and faithful keeping
Connection to the wholePaul recalls Timothy's faith and gift, urging him not to be ashamed and to guard the trust through the Holy Ghost.
interpretation The faithful worker
2 Timothy 2:1–26FocusTransmission, endurance, and gentle correction
Connection to the wholeImages of disciplined service lead into directions for teaching, personal holiness, and patient treatment of opponents.
interpretation Difficult times and the Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:1–17FocusDiscernment and continued learning
Connection to the wholePaul warns about corrupt conduct and deception, then directs Timothy to continue in what he has learned through the holy Scriptures.
interpretation The final charge and farewell
2 Timothy 4:1–22FocusPreaching and finishing the course
Connection to the wholeThe command to preach is set beside Paul's approaching death and personal instructions concerning fellow workers and needs.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.