Who wrote 2 Timothy, and when?
Paul. About AD 64–67, from his final imprisonment in Rome shortly before his death.
2 Timothy is written in Paul's name to Timothy and reads as the last letter he ever wrote. Traditionally Paul composed it during a second, harsher imprisonment in Rome, in about AD 64 to 67, shortly before his execution under the emperor Nero. Only Luke was with him (see 4:11). As with the other Pastoral Letters, many scholars think a follower of Paul wrote it after his death, drawing on his memory and perhaps on real fragments of his letters; the personal details in chapter 4 are often cited as evidence that at least parts come from Paul himself. The church has always received the letter as his farewell, and its call to faithfulness stands whichever view is taken.
Who was 2 Timothy written to?
Timothy, in Ephesus, whom Paul asks to come to him quickly.
The letter is addressed to Timothy, who was serving the church in Ephesus. He had been Paul's companion for around fifteen years and knew his teaching and his sufferings at first hand (see 3:10-11). Timothy's mother and grandmother had taught him the Scriptures as a child (see 1:5 and 3:15). Now his mentor was in chains, many of Paul's friends in the province of Asia had turned away, and false teachers were still making trouble in Ephesus. Timothy was being asked to carry a heavy load at a dark moment. Paul asks him to come quickly and to bring a cloak and some scrolls, small requests that show how personal the letter is.
What was happening at the time?
Paul is in chains, expecting execution. Many have deserted him. He writes to hand the baton to Timothy: do not be ashamed, be strong in grace, endure like a soldier, correctly handle the word of truth, expect hard times, continue in the Scriptures that are God-breathed, and preach the word. It ends with Paul’s testimony: I have fought the good fight.
Why was 2 Timothy written?
To charge Timothy to carry on the gospel faithfully after Paul is gone.
Paul wrote to hand the work on. He knew he was about to die, and he wanted Timothy to carry the gospel forward without shame or fear. So the letter is a series of charges: fan into flame the gift God gave you, be strong in grace, endure hardship like a soldier, handle the word of truth accurately, avoid pointless quarrels, expect difficult days and continue in the Scriptures, which are breathed out by God and able to make a person wise for salvation. The climax is the command to preach the word, followed by Paul's own testimony that he has finished the race. In the wider story of the Bible, 2 Timothy is the moment the apostles' generation passes the faith to those who will come after.
How to read 2 Timothy today
Read it knowing it is a farewell, and it will move you. Chapter 1:6-14 sets the tone. Chapter 2 gives pictures of the Christian life as soldier, athlete, farmer and worker. Chapter 3:14 to 4:8 is the heart of the letter and contains the best known statement about Scripture in the Bible. Chapter 4:9-22 is a list of names and requests; do not skip it, because it shows what Paul's last days were really like. Watch for the word guard and for the contrast between being ashamed and being unashamed. As you read, pray for one person you could pass the faith on to, and for the courage to finish well whatever God has given you to do.
The key verse in 2 Timothy
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Passages worth knowing in 2 Timothy
- 2 Timothy 1
Do not be ashamed
God has not given us a spirit of fear.
- 2 Timothy 2
Be strong in grace
Soldier, athlete, farmer, and rightly dividing the word.
- 2 Timothy 3
Perilous times and God-breathed Scripture
Able to make you wise for salvation.
- 2 Timothy 4
Preach the word
I have fought the good fight; the crown of righteousness.
The main themes of 2 Timothy
- Faithfulness
- Endurance in suffering
- The Scriptures
- Passing on the gospel
- Finishing well
An outline of 2 Timothy
| Section | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Guard the deposit | 1 |
| Endure hardship | 2 |
| Continue in the Scriptures | 3 |
| Preach the word | 4 |