Introduction

What is the Book of 2 Timothy About?

Read this 3-minute introduction to help you find your bearings in the Bible story, and be inspired to read 2 Timothy!

Videos

Historical Context

Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy.

From Bibles.net: Remember that the ultimate author of every book of the Bible is the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). He has written this book to equip you for life, to help you know the true God, and to give you hope (2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 15:4). The Holy Spirit wrote 2 Timothy for your good and to lead you into joy.

Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy during his second imprisonment in Rome, shortly before his death. This imprisonment was after the one recorded in Acts 28. He probably wrote it in AD 64–65, though some would place it as late as 67.  

The Setting of 2 Timothy

c. AD 64-67

Paul probably wrote 2 Timothy during a second imprisonment in Rome following a fourth missionary journey that is not recorded in Acts. Expecting that death would come soon, Paul wrote this “farewell” letter to Timothy, who was at Ephesus, urging him to stand firm and asking him to come for one final visit.  

Unless otherwise indicated, this content is adapted from the ESV Global Study Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2012 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Books
Message Series

5 Excellent Messages from 2 Timothy by Various Pastors

Instead of sharing a message series from one pastor with you, we wanted to share a handful of messages that have transformed our lives, all from the book of 2 Timothy. We pray that these powerful exhortations from God’s Word will fill you with courage and motivate you to keep trusting God’s Word, remember Jesus, and fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy Dictionary

As you read through 2 Timothy, you might come across words and ideas that are foreign to you. Here are a few definitions you will want to know! Note that this dictionary was created for the New International Version (NIV) Bible.

The Greek word that means “God’s Chosen One.” “Messiah” is the Hebrew word meaning the same thing. Jesus was the Christ.

(1) To be certain about the things we cannot see or to trust someone because of who he or she is. For example, a Christian has faith that Jesus is God’s Son. (2) The whole message about Jesus Christ—that he is God’s Son and that he came to take the punishment for our sin so that we may become members of God’s family. This describes the faith of a Christian.

(1) Literally, “good news.” The good news of the Bible is that God sent his Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for sin and then raised him from the dead so that any person who believes may have new life. (2) The story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ told in the first four books of the New Testament. The books are also called the four Gospels.

Showing more love or kindness to people than they expect or deserve.

To continually treat someone cruelly or unfairly, even though the person has done nothing wrong. The early Christians were persecuted for teaching that Jesus is God’s Son.

Thinking and doing what is correct (or right) and holy. God is righteous because he does only what is perfect and holy. A person who has accepted Jesus as Savior is looked at by God as being free from the guilt of sin, so God sees that person as being righteous. People who are members of God’s family show their love for him by doing what is correct and holy, living in righteous ways.

Dictionary Source

This content is from What the Bible Is All About, written by Henrietta Mears. Copyright © 1953, 2011 by Gospel Light. Copyright assigned to Tyndale House Publishers, 2015. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

Tough Questions

We have found answers to some tough questions that we anticipate may arise as you read this book of the Bible. We know we can’t answer every question you will have; therefore, we have written this article, so you know how to find answers for your kids: How Do I Answer Tough Questions About the Bible?

Insights

The following insights are from pastors and scholars who have spent significant time studying the book of 2 Timothy.

While 2 Timothy also refers to the false teachers and urges sound doctrine, the focus is almost entirely on Timothy. Timothy is the man! Paul’s writing here is intensely personal. It is his last will and testament, “written,” as Calvin said, “not merely in ink but in Paul’s life blood.”[1] Passion and urgency ooze from Paul’s pen as he addresses Timothy. The purpose of the letter is to charge Timothy to persevere in the ministry of the gospel—to fill the apostle’s immense gospel sandals. Paul will urge Timothy in various verses to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6 ESV), to “guard the good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14 ESV), and to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2 ESV).[2]

1. David W. Torrence and Thomas F. Torrence, ed., 1st and 2nd Timothy, Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. 10 (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964), p. 289.

2. Gordon D. Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1984), pp. 13, 14.

—R. Kent Hughes  

Source: Content taken from 1-2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit © 2012 by R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The second letter to Timothy is the most personal of the three [pastoral epistles (1-2 Timothy, Titus)]; it claims to be the apostle’s farewell message to Timothy shortly before his anticipated execution (2 Timothy 1:1; 2:2; 3:14; 4:1, 6). In addition, he recalls Timothy’s tears, the faith and ministry of his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:4), and his personal knowledge of the apostle’s teaching, lifestyle, and sufferings (2 Timothy 3:10). He begs Timothy twice to come to him, especially before winter will make the navigation impossible (2 Timothy 4:9, 21). He then mentions no fewer than seventeen friends by name, adding either news of them or requests or greetings to them.

—John R. W. Stott

Source: Stott, John. The Message of 2 Timothy. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2021.

The “last days” in Scripture refer to the final period of redemptive history that began with Jesus’ first coming and will extend until his return (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2). This is a time of increased opposition and ungodliness (2 Peter 3:3), as well as gospel advance among all nations (Isaiah 2:2–5). Paul reminds Timothy, “In the last days there will come times of difficulty” (2 Timothy 3:1 ESV), which recalls his similar teaching concerning “later times” in 1 Timothy 4:1. Timothy must be spiritually alert and remember that those who oppose the truth will not ultimately prevail (2 Timothy 3:9).

—Brian Tabb

Source: Content taken from 1–2 Timothy and Titus: A 12-Week Study © 2017 by Brian Tabb. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Paul had come to serve God with “a clear conscience.” There were times, of course, when his conscience convicted him of sin, and he had to confess it. But overall as he looked at his life, he had “a clear conscience.” This was essential in Paul’s having “fought the good fight” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV). In his first letter he had advised Timothy to “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander” (1 Timothy 1:18–20 ESV; cf. 1 Timothy 6:12). Hymenaeus and Alexander had violated their consciences in respect to the faith they claimed to have, and so they became apostates. They ignored the flashing lights of conscience as they departed from the Word and shipwrecked their souls. But Paul kept “a clear conscience” in respect to the faith of his forefathers. This is invaluably instructive! The old warrior is chained in a dripping, winter-cold dungeon awaiting the executioner’s axe, and as he surveys his life—his conversion and then the kaleidoscope of sermons preached, shipwrecks, confrontations, deliverances, stonings, beatings, and victories—his conscience is absolutely clear. There is no guilt, no weight of unresolved sins, nothing to confess. He has been true to the gospel and his calling. He was not sinless, but he was blameless, and he was faithful. 

—R. Kent Hughes 

Source: Content taken from 1-2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit © 2012 by R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

In 1 Timothy, Paul in effect says, “Guard the doctrine, which is our message from God”—in 2 Timothy, Paul in effect says, “Guard the testimony, which is our life from God.” In 1 Timothy, Paul seems to say, “Shoulder arms! Polish the metal! Ammunition ready!”—in 2 Timothy Paul seems to say, “Onward march! Face front, shoulders square, keep step with our leader, who is Christ!”

The walk is as necessary as the weapon. The sons of Samuel Wilberforce, a great nineteenth-century British pastor, said of their father, “After a while father gave up preparing his discourses and simply prepared himself.” Diligently guard your witness.

–Henrietta Mears

Source: This content is from What the Bible Is All About, written by Henrietta Mears. Copyright © 1953, 2011 by Gospel Light. Copyright assigned to Tyndale House Publishers, 2015. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The vice list in 2 Timothy 3:2-4 includes several references to misplaced or disordered love. Paul says that people will be “lovers of self, lovers of money,” and “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (ESV). At its root, sin is preferring or loving something created by God more than God himself. It is not sinful for people to desire to be happy or to meet their own needs. Self-love refers to selfishness or narcissism, when self-interest trumps all, when self becomes a god. The love of money is materialism, making money and possessions into a god. Money is useful, but it makes a terrible master, leaving its subjects devastated and empty in the end (1 Timothy 6:9–10, 17–19). “Lovers of pleasure” are hedonists who seek to gratify their physical cravings for sex, food, or the latest buzz at all costs. Such people “serve their own appetites,” and “their god is their belly” (Romans 16:18; Philippians 3:19 ESV). God created us to love, enjoy, and admire him forever. No substitute god—self, money, or pleasure—can satisfy our deepest longings.

—Brian Tabb

Source: Content taken from 1–2 Timothy and Titus: A 12-Week Study © 2017 by Brian Tabb. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

If you sense that God is calling you to do something far beyond your natural capabilities, you can take heart from Timothy’s life. In truth, God always calls us to minister beyond our natural endowments, no matter how great they are. You may be naturally eloquent, but your giftedness will never be sufficient to preach the Word. You may be merciful by nature, but that is not enough to be able to live out the full call of God to be merciful. Take heart! God’s call is always too great for us to do by ourselves. But if he calls you, he will equip and enable you to do it. 

—R. Kent Hughes 

Source: Content taken from 1-2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit © 2012 by R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

2 Timothy Playlist

Discover music inspired by the message and content of the book of 2 Timothy.

I Know Whom I Have Believed
by Redeemer Church of the Shoals | Folk 
When You Are a Soldier
by Steven Curtis Chapman | Contemporary
Fight On, Fighter
by for KING & COUNTRY | Pop 
Strong in Grace
by Justin Rizzo | Contemporary 
Refiner’s Fire
by The Worship Project feat. Brian Doerksen and TWP Band | Praise & Worship
A Pilgrim’s Progress (Keep Runnin')
by Matt Papa | Contemporary 
2 Timothy 3:16 (All Scripture is Useful)
by JumpStart3 | Scripture Memory 
Bearers of the Light
by Michael Card | 70s 80s 90s
Power, Love, and Self-Discipline
by Sing Scripture | Pop 
Blessed Assurance
by The Worship Initiative and Shane & Shane | Hymn 
Crowns
by Hillsong feat. Benjamin William Hastings | Praise & Worship 
Sound Mind
by Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Contemporary
More Songs
Featured Resource
The Disciple’s Oath
by Bibles.net | 2 Minutes
Second Timothy is an intensely personal letter, that the Holy Spirit wrote through the Apostle Paul to infuse courage and confidence into Timothy. There’s a special declaration of courage and confidence written by a Christian martyr before his death. We thought that in light of the same themes we find in Timothy, you would enjoy reading this disciple’s declaration of faith.