"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" Chapter One OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To notice the great love that existed between Paul and Timothy 2) To examine the exhortations to faithful service given by Paul to Timothy 3) To contrast the people who abandoned Paul, with a faithful friend like Onesiphorus SUMMARY The apostle Paul begins this letter to his "beloved son" with a prayer for grace, mercy and peace in his behalf. Thankful to God for the unceasing memories that he has of Timothy in his prayers night and day, Paul greatly desires to see the young man. Seeing him again will bring great joy as Paul is mindful of Timothy's tears and his unfeigned faith (1-5). Paul's purpose in writing begins in earnest with a series of exhortations toward steadfast service. He encourages Timothy to stir up the gift of God which was in him by the laying on of Paul's hands, to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul His prisoner, and to hold fast the pattern of sound words which he had heard from Paul, keeping it by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Timothy is then reminded of those who had forsaken Paul, but also how Onesiphorus had proven to be a true friend and brother by virtue of his courage, diligence, and service (6-18). OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION (1-5) A. SALUTATION (1-2a) 1. From Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (1) a. By the will of God b. According to the promise of life in Christ Jesus 2. To Timothy, his beloved son (2a) 3. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord (2b) B. THANKSGIVING (3-5) 1. Thanks offered to God by Paul (3) a. Whom he serves with pure conscience, as did his forefathers b. For without ceasing he remembers Timothy in his prayers night and day 2. Greatly desiring to see Timothy (4-5) a. For he is mindful of Timothy's tears b. For Paul himself desires to be filled with joy c. For he remembers the genuine faith that is in Timothy 1) Which dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice 2) And which Paul is persuaded is in Timothy also II. EXHORTATION TO ZEAL AND COURAGE (6-12) A. STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD (6-7) 1. Which was in him through the laying on of Paul's hands (6) 2. For God has given a spirit, not of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (7) B. DON'T BE ASHAMED (8-12) 1. Of the testimony of our Lord, nor of Paul His prisoner (8a) 2. Share with Paul in the suffering of the gospel according to the power of God (8b-12) a. Who saved us and called us with a holy calling (9-10) 1) Not according to our works 2) But according to His own purpose and grace a) Given to us in Christ before time began b) But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ 1/ Who abolished death 2/ And brought light and immortality to light through the gospel b. For the gospel Paul was appointed a preacher, apostle and teacher (11-12) 1) For such things he suffers 2) But he was not ashamed a) For he knows Whom he has believed b) And is persuaded that He is able to keep what Paul has committed to Him until that Day III. EXHORTATION TO STEADFASTNESS AND LOYALTY (13-18) A. BE STEADFAST (13-14) 1. Hold fast the pattern of sound words (13) a. Which he had heard from Paul b. In faith and love which are in Christ Jesus 2. Keep that good thing (14) a. Which was committed to him b. Keep it by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us B. BE LOYAL (15-18) 1. All in Asia have turned away from Paul, including Phygellus and Hermogenes (15) 2. In contrast, the example of Onesiphorus (16-18) a. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus 1) For he often refreshed Paul 2) He was not ashamed of Paul's chains 3) Arriving in Rome, he sought Paul diligently and found him 4) He also ministered to Paul in many ways at Ephesus b. May the Lord grant mercy to Onesiphorus in that Day
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER Move your mouse pointer underneath each question to see the answer.
1) What are the main points of this chapter? 2) How does Paul describe Timothy in his salutation? (2) 3) How did Paul serve God? (3) 4) What two things came to Paul's mind concerning Timothy? (4-5) 5) What two women had this genuine faith before Timothy? (5) 6) What did Paul remind Timothy to stir up? (6) 7) What had God given Paul and Timothy? (7) 8) What two things did Paul not want Timothy to be ashamed of? (8) 9) How has God saved us and called us with a holy calling? (9) 10) What has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ? (9-10) 11) What two things has Jesus done according to verse 10? 12) To what three functions had Paul been appointed relating to the gospel? (11) 13) Though Paul suffered, why was he not ashamed? (12) 14) What was Timothy to hold fast? (13) 15) How was he to keep that good thing that was committed to him? (14) 16) Who had turned away from Paul? (15) 17) What four good things are said about Onesiphorus? (16-18) 18) What two things did Paul desire of the Lord? (16,18)