"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR:  The apostle Paul, as stated in the salutation (1:1).  The
references of a personal nature also confirm this, especially when
compared to other Pauline epistles (cf. 4:9-12; Co 4:7-14).

RECIPIENT:  Timothy, Paul's "beloved son" (1:2; cf. 1 Ti 1:2,18).  We
are first introduced to Timothy in Ac 16:1-3, where we learn that his
mother was Jewish and his father Greek.  From this epistle we also
learn that his mother and grandmother had been believers in Christ, who
raised Timothy in the Scriptures (1:5; 3:14-15).  Well spoken of by the
brethren at Lystra and Iconium, Paul desired that Timothy travel with
him and therefore had him circumcised to accommodate Jews they would
seek to evangelize.

This began a long relationship of service together in the work of the
Lord, in which Timothy served Paul as a son would his father (Ph 2:19-24).
Such service included not only traveling with Paul, but remaining
with new congregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14),
going back to encourage such congregations (1 Th 3:1-3), and serving as
Paul's personal emissary (1 Co 16:10-11; Ph 2:19-24).  He had the honor
of joining Paul in the salutation of several epistles written by Paul
(2 Co 1:1; Ph 1:1; Co 1:1; 1 Th 1:1; 2 Th 1:1), and from such epistles
we learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his first imprisonment at
Rome.  Such faithful service also resulted in his being left in Ephesus
as Paul's personal representative (1 Ti 1:3).  He may have still been
in the area when this letter was penned.

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:  The general consensus is that following his
first imprisonment in Rome (cf. Ac 28:16,30-31) Paul was released and
allowed to travel for several years before being arrested again.  It
was during this second imprisonment that Paul wrote this epistle from
Rome (cf. 1:16-17).  Every indication is that he did not expect to be
released (cf. 4:6-7), and shortly after this letter he was put to death
by Nero.  Since Nero was killed in A.D. 68, Paul would have died a short
time earlier.  This letter can therefore be dated around A.D. 66-67.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:  This epistle contains Paul's stirring words of
encouragement and instructions to Timothy, his "beloved son."  Longing
to see him (1:4), Paul writes this letter to have Timothy come quickly
to Rome, and to bring along Mark, a cloak that was left at Troas, and
some books and parchments (4:9-13).  He uses the occasion, however, to
write concerning those things that are most heavy on his heart related
to Timothy's work.  Therefore, Paul writes to encourage Timothy:

   * To stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1)

   * To commit to others what Paul had taught him (2:2,14)

   * To preach the Word! (4:1)

   * To endure hardship and afflictions (2:3; 4:5)

   * To fulfill his ministry as an evangelist (4:5)

THEME OF THE EPISTLE:  With all the exhortations and instructions
related to his work as a minister of the gospel of Christ, an
appropriate theme for this epistle might be:

                      "FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY!"

KEY VERSE:  2 Timothy 4:5 

   "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the
   work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION (1:1-5)

I. EXHORTATIONS TO STEADFAST SERVICE (1:6-2:26)

   A. WITH ZEAL AND COURAGE (1:6-12)

   B. WITH STEADFASTNESS AND LOYALTY (1:13-18)

   C. TRANSMITTING THE TRUTH TO OTHERS (2:1-2)

   D. ENDURING HARDSHIP (2:3-13)

   E. DILIGENT AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD (2:14-26)

II. EXHORTATIONS TO SOUND DOCTRINE (3:1-4:5)

   A. IN VIEW OF PERILOUS TIMES TO COME (3:1-9)

   B. REMEMBERING PAUL'S OWN EXAMPLE (3:10-13)

   C. BY ABIDING IN THE SCRIPTURES (3:14-17)

   D. BY PREACHING THE WORD (4:1-5)

III. EXHORTATIONS TO COME QUICKLY (4:6-18)

   A. PAUL'S END IS NEAR (4:6-8)

   B. PAUL'S CIRCUMSTANCES AND REQUESTS (4:9-18)

CONCLUSION (4:19-22)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION
Move your mouse pointer underneath each question to see the answer.

1) Where do we first read about Timothy?



2) What was the name of his grandmother and mother? (2 Ti 1:5)



3) How did Paul affectionately regard Timothy? (1:2)



4) What is the general consensus for the time and place that Paul wrote
   this letter?




5) What were Paul's circumstances in Rome? (4:6,10-11)






6) What two purposes does Paul have in writing this epistle?





7) What is the theme of this epistle, as suggested in the introductory
   material?



8) What is the key verse?



9) According to the outline proposed above, what are the main points of
   this epistle?