Philemon 1 / 빌레몬서 1

Greeting

 

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, ² to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

 

⁴ I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, ⁵ hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, ⁶ that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Plea for Onesimus

 

⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— ¹⁰ I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, ¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
¹² I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, ¹³ whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
¹⁵ For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged

 

¹⁷ If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
²¹ Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. ²² But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Farewell

 

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon

       

          Under Roman law, a slave that ran away from his master could face the death penalty. In spite of this possibility, Paul sent Onesimus, a runaway slave and a recent convert to Christianity, back to his owner Philemon to make restitution. The Epistle to Philemon is Paul's plea that Onesimus no longer be viewed as a runaway salve, but as a "beloved brother" (16, 17; Colossians 4:9). Obedience to these requests would require forgiveness and restoration, actions which no other slave owner would have to contemplate in the ancient world. But Christians were called to a higher calling, one that contradicted  the expectations of the culture at large. While the world pursued power and glory, Christians were to pursue the way of the Cross - the way of forgiveness, servant hood, suffering, and love.

          Author and Date: Three times in this book (1, 9, 19) Paul identifies himself as the author. The vocabulary and style are clearly his, for many of the phrases in this letter are found in Paul's other letters (compare v4 with Philippians 1:3-4). Also many of those who sent their greetings with this letter were the same ones who did so in the letter to the Colossians. This fact indicates the close relationship between the two letters (Colossians 4:12-15).

          Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this epistle, but his location is uncertain. Three possibilities have been suggested: Ephesus, Caesarea (Acts 24-26), and Rome (Acts 28).But most hold that Paul wrote this letter during the first Roman imprisonment around 65 A.D., along with the other Prison Epistles, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

          Occasion and Purpose: The greeting and content of the letter indicate that Philemon is the intended recipient. Philemon was a slave owner whose home served as the meeting place for a local church. Philemon probably lived in Colosse, a city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. He was a convert to Christianity as a result of Paul's ministry, possibly during the apostle's stay in Ephesus (Acts 19:26). Apphia was probably his wife, and Archippus may have been his son, possibly serving at this time as the pastor of the church that met in Philemon's house (Colossians 4:7).

          Philemon owned a slave name Onesimus, a common name for slaves in that period. Onesimus ran away and apparently had stolen something from his master. Having fled to Rome, the escaped slave providentially came in contact with Paul, became a Christian, and remained with the apostle for some time, serving him in prison. However, restoration and restitution needed to be made. It was agreed that Onesimus would return to Philemon, even though this could result in Onesimus' death. Paul wrote a letter to his friend Philemon, pleading the cause of Onesimus. At the same time he wrote a letter to the church at Colosse and sent it with Tychicus (Colossians 4:7-9). The New Testament does not reveal what finally happened to Onesimus. Some have taken him to be the Onesimus who eventually became the bishop of Ephesus, mentioned my Ignatius in the early second century.

          Slavery in the Ancient World: To recognize the significance of this letter, it is essential to understand slavery as it existed in the first century. At that time the salve-master relationship was as common as the employee-employer relationship is today. Onesimus was a runaway Roman salve. But Paul, although he was a Roman citizen himself, brought to the nature of slavery a unique Christian understanding that was grounded in Hebraic ethics.

          During this period, the Jews practiced slavery according to the provisions of the Law of Mosses. A Jewish slave belonged to the family of the owner and had certain religious and social rights. If the slave was a Hebrew, the term of salve was limited to six years. Jeremiah had warned that permanent slavery would bring about divine disfavor (Jeremiah 34:8-22). But even if the salve was a Gentile, the owner's power was limited to Jewish law. If a master punished and injured a slave in his possession, the slave was set to be free. If the punishment resulted in the slave's death, then the master was to be punished. The salve was viewed as a person and was to be treated fairly, which differed from the Roman system of slavery.

          Among the Jews, slaves were only a small portion of the population. But in Rome, salves out numbered Roman citizens. Some of the wealthy Roman landowners may have had ten to twenty thousand slaves working on their estates. To the Romans, a slave was not a person and basically was thought of as property. Many slaves were treated humanely and sometimes were better off economically than many free persons, but there was still the fact that they were considered a possession. They were vulnerable to cruel treatment and could even be killed with impunity. With slaves far out numbering citizens, controlling the salve population was imperative to the Romans. To loose control of the slaves was to forfeit the social and economic basis of the Roman Empire.

          In his letters the Apostle Paul did not approve of slavery, but he also did not condemn it. He exhorted slaves to demonstrate Christian obedience and humility even to their masters. (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25). In turn, Christian masters were to treat their slaves fairly (Ephesians 5:9, Colossians 4:1). Yet at the same time, Paul declared the equality of both slaves and free persons before Christ, a principle that would eventually undermine the institution of slavery (1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:11).

          Theology: The Epistle of Philemon was not written to refute theological error or to teach doctrine. However into this short letter Paul skillfully weaves the concepts of salvation (10, 16), substitution (17) imputation (18), and redemption (19), Although here these ideas speak of Paul's relationship with Onesimus, they remind us of Christ's relationship with us (Galatians 4:1-7). We were once slaves to sin, but Christ redeemed us from our awful fate, death.

          The letter is basically an earnest plea for a Christian love that would confront the cruelty and hatred embodied in the cultural institutions of that day. Paul commends Philemon for already expressing that type of love (5, 7). But to ensure that this love would be shown to Onesimus, Paul offers to pay Onesimus' debt (19). Paul's love for Onesimus, went beyond mere words, he was willing to give out of his own poverty to guarantee this slave's well-being.

Titus 3 / 디도서 3

Graces of the Heirs of Grace

 

3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³ For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Avoid Dissension

 

⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Messages

 

¹² When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

Farewell

 

¹⁵ All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.

Titus 2 / 디도서 2

Qualities of a Sound Church

 

2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: ² that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; ³ the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— ⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
⁹ Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Trained by Saving Grace

 

¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
¹⁵ Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Titus 1 / 디도서 1

Greeting

 

1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, ³ but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

⁴ To Titus, a true son in our common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Qualified Elders

 

⁵ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— ⁶ if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. ⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

The Elders’ Task

 

¹⁰ For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, ¹¹ whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. ¹² One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus

 

          "Point man," "Pinch hitter," "clutch player," "go getter." These terms describe a person who can be counted on, someone who knows what to do and how to do it and who works tirelessly to get it done. Titus was that kind of person.

          He had to be. Much of his work, like the apostle Paul's, was dangerous, unpopular, difficult and tiring. It involved traveling, introducing strangers to new ideas, constantly making new friends, constantly battling new enemies, and even deflecting threats on one's life. The number of people who could share such a load was small, but the early church desperately needed them. Not just anyone could start and maintain a new church in a hostile world. Yet Titus rose to the challenge.

          The believers in Crete lacked leadership and were suffering as a result. False teachers were taking advantage of the absence of sound doctrine. Judging from Paul's exhortations, the harmony and morals of the young congregation were disrupted. Paul relied on Titus to help them establish their leadership and make up their other deficits. Their struggles are repeated in every age, and this letter is as relevant today as it was to Titus.

          Author and Date: This letter says it was written by the Apostle Paul (1:1), and there is little reason to doubt that he wrote it. Although some scholars have raised objections in the last two hundred years, these objections rest mainly on the assumption that Paul died at the end of the imprisonment described in Acts 28 and did not make the journey implied in the letter to Timothy and Titus. The historical details within Titus itself gives us no reason to abandon the traditional view that Paul wrote this letter. Because the arguments against Pauline authorship are the same ones against the Pastoral Epistles in general, see the Introduction of First Timothy for more information.

          It seems that Paul wrote Titus sometime between his two Roman imprisonments , between 62 A.D and 65 A.D. Tradition holds that Titus was written shortly after First Timothy, around 63 A.D.

          Historical Background: Crete is a large island, approximately 160 miles long and 35 miles wide, in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is located 100 miles southeast of Greece. The Cretans developed a relatively prosperous agriculture and trading economy, creating one of the best known trading centers of the ancient world. Such prosperity also fostered a great deal of excess. In 1:12, Paul quotes the Greek poet Epimendides, who wrote "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

          Paul may have planted a church on the island of Crete during a missionary trip after his first imprisonment in Rome, which ended about 62 A.D.  When Paul departed from Crete, he left Titus behind to "set in order the things that were lacking" in the church (1:5).

          Titus is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament as one of Paul's most trusted assistants. He was a Greek and was converted by Paul (Galatians 2:3). He assisted Paul on some of his missionary journeys (2 Corinthians 7:6-7; 8:6, 16) and went with him to the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:2; Galatians 2:1-3). Paul mentioned Titus several times in Second Corinthians (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 13, 14; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18). Titus carried the letter to Corinth. While at Corinth, Titus was entrusted with collecting funds from the Corinthian church. Later Titus went to Dalmatia at Paul's request (2 Timothy 4:10). Early church tradition says that Titus returned to Crete and spent the remainder of his life there.

          Theology: Although Titus only contains forty-six verses, it covers a wide range of topics. It is a key New Testament book for church organization, with guidelines for elders, pastors, and other believers. Furthermore, it contains one of the clearest statements about God's grace in all of the New Testament (2:11-14; 3:3-7). It explicates the significance of Christ's first (2:11) and second comings (2:13). The book contributes to our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit with salvation and the Christian life (3:5). But it is known most for its practical instruction for dealing with false teaching (1:9-16; 2:1, 7, 8, 12, 15; 3:2, 8-11, 14). A church needs organization, sound doctrine and good teaching to survive. In this letter, Paul gives Titus a succinct overview on how to lead a church.

          Theme: Whereas the letters to Timothy emphasize sound doctrine, the letter to Titus emphasizes good works (1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 5, 8, 14). There were influential people in the church who were motivated by personal interest and selfish gain (1:11). In his letter, Paul exposes the ways this was affecting the doctrine (1:11) and practice (1:16) of the church and urges Titus to champion purity, service, and kindness toward others (2:11-15; 3:3-7). Paul reminds Titus that salvation is not based on our own "works of righteousness" (3:5) but is rather  a result of God's work of kindness and love toward us (3:4). We are unable to do good works in our selfish and disobedient state (3:3). Salvation in Christ frees us to do good works, and the "washing and regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (3:5) enables us.

          God wants His people to devote themselves to doing good works (2:11, 12; 3:1, 8, 14). Older men (2:2), older women (2:3), young women (2:4-5), young men (2:6-8), and servants (2:9-10) should "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things" (2:10). In his letter, Paul exhorts the believers at Crete to display the testimony of good works to outsiders (2:11-12; 3:1, 8, 14). While good works are a Christian duty, they are also a gift from God. Through justification in Christ (3:7), God declares us righteous. We must have this legal standing in order to qualify before God to do good works. Redemption (2:14) removes us from jurisdiction of Satan by paying the debt incurred by our sins. At the same time, it places us in the family of God so that we might be "His own special people, zealous for good works" (2:14).

2 Timothy 4 / 디모데후서 4장

Preach the Word

 

4 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

 

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The Abandoned Apostle

 

⁹ Be diligent to come to me quickly; ¹⁰ for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. ¹³ Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.
¹⁶ At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

The Lord Is Faithful

 

¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸ And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Come Before Winter

 

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
²¹ Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

 

²² The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

2 Timothy 3 / 디모데후서 3장

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

 

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

 

¹⁰ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 2 / 디모데후서 2장

Be Strong in Grace

 

2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵ And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
¹¹ This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
¹² If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
¹³ If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

 

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ^[c] depart from iniquity.”
²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 1 / 디모데후서 1장

Greeting

 

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, a beloved son:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy’s Faith and Heritage

 

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, ⁴ greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, ⁵ when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. ⁶ Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

 

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰ but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹ to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. ¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Be Loyal to the Faith

 

¹³ Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
¹⁵ This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; ¹⁷ but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. ¹⁸ The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy

When death nears, priorities change. In light of mortality, what used to seem significant may dim in comparison to one's ultimate fate. This is why we listen to a person's "last words." When all is said and done, everyone wants to know what gave that person hope in the face of death. Second Timothy is Paul's "last words." From a Roman prison the aged Apostle Paul wrote his final instructions to his protégé' Timothy. Paul knew that this letter might well be his final contact with Timothy; his execution was most likely imminent. He implored Timothy to come quickly to his side. But in case he did not make it, Paul imparted his last words of encouragement to his "son" in the faith.

Author and Date: The author of Second Timothy identifies himself as Paul (1:1). Other remarks in the book are characteristic of Paul's ministry (3:10-11; 4:10-11, 19-20). Many of the early church fathers such as Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus support Pauline authorship. For an explanation to the challenges of Pauline authorship of Second Timothy, see  the introduction of First Timothy. Most of these challenges are based on the erroneous assumption that the theology and Greek style of this letter can on fit the context of the second century.

          Many scholars believe that Second Timothy was written during a second imprisonment of Paul in Rome (1:8, 16-17; 4:6-13). According to the fourth century church historian Eusebius, Paul was martyred during Nero's regime, sometime before A.D, 68. Since this letter was written immediately before Paul's death, it was probably written around A.D 67.

Setting: The Book of Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28). But many scholars believe that Paul was acquitted, as he had expected (Philemon 1:9). From sporadic evidence in the Pastoral Epistles, we can trace Paul's travels after his imprisonment. He probably visited Crete (Titus 1:5), Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3), Macedonia, and perhaps Colosse (Philemon 22) and Spain (Romans 15:24). Timothy traveled with Paul to Ephesus and was left there to confront the false teachers that were infiltrating the church in that city (1 Timothy 1:3).

          Many believe that Paul was put in prison when Nero began his campaign of persecution, shortly after Rome burned down in A.D. 64. Nero blamed the Christians for starting the fire, and executed many of them with extreme cruelty. Soon afterward, the Apostle Peter died for his faith by being crucified upside down, according to the church father Origen. As Paul penned his second letter to Timothy, he was aware of his coming death (4:6-8). A number of believers had deserted him (4:16), and only Luke was with him at the writing of this letter (4:11). At the end of the letter, one can sense Paul's concern. He implores Timothy: "Be diligent to come to me quickly." (4:9). Paul did not want to leave this earth without seeing Timothy and Mark to give them some final words of wisdom (4:9-13).

          Paul's concern for Timothy arose out of their long relationship with each other. Ever since the beginning of the second missionary journey Timothy had been close to Paul, assisting him in his ministry, acting as his liaison, and learning from his godly example. Timothy's devout mother Eunice and grandmother Lois had provided him with a grounding in the Hebrew Scriptures on which Paul could build (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15). Although, Timothy was slightly timid because of his young age (1:7; 1 Timothy 1:12), Paul developed his son in the faith by placing more and more responsibility on his shoulders (1 Corinthians 4:17). But leaving Timothy at Ephesus was a major step for Paul; as a concerned mentor, he wrote a letter to Timothy repeatedly charging him to remain faithful to the essentials of the Christian faith (1 Timothy 1:8; 4:12-16; 5:21; 6:11-13). Paul had served as Timothy's spiritual mentor throughout his life. Now, as he neared his death, Paul wanted to see him one last time. And if that could not be, he wanted to at least give Timothy some final words of encouragement.

Purpose: Paul's' primary purpose for writing this letter was to offer final instructions to Timothy regarding the Christian life. Second Timothy has an intensely personal nature and tone. One sees Paul's strong love and concern for Timothy. Paul encourages his close friend to use his spiritual gifts. He writes to strengthen Timothy's loyalty to Christ in the face of suffering and persecution that would come. The apostle challenges Timothy to handle the Word of God accurately, faithfully instructing others in the truths of the faith. Warnings and instructions are given concerning how a believer should relate to the world in the times of apostasy. In the closing chapter, Paul offers Timothy his final word of advice: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season." This was Paul's own mission, to preach the gospel to the Gentiles; now he was passing it on to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy.

          Paul's second purpose for writing this letter was to urge Timothy to join him in Rome. Paul knew that he was soon to die. He longed to see and have fellowship with his child in the faith one last time.

Theology: Paul was well aware that hardships and conflict are part of Christian ministry. One of the essential characteristics of the faithful servant of Christ is endurance in the midst of difficulties. To encourage Timothy in this virtue, the apostle reminds him that Jesus Christ is "of the seed of David" and "was raised from the dead" (2:8). Mention of the seed of David links Christ with the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:11-16), which states that a son of David will rule on his throne forever. Furthermore, Christ has been resurrected; He is alive. The promise of ruling and reigning with Him (2:11-13) is set before Timothy as a motive for faithful endurance in ministry. A special crown will be given to those who faithfully serve the Lord and wait for His return (4:8).

          Chapter 3 develops the theme of apostasy in the latter days. Paul warns Timothy that difficulties are coming for believers, and he instructs him about how Christians should respond and behave. Jesus had predicted that such times would come (John 15:18-25; 16:33; 17:15-18), and Paul himself had referred previously to these times (1 Thessalonians 3:1-8). although he would not live to see those dreadful days, Paul still cared enough to urge Timothy to be bold in the work of the Lord, even in the midst of troubling times.