Second Timothy

Introduction A letter written from a loved one is something that is held as a prized possession. This is especially true if the letter contains encouragement or sound life advice from someone who is no longer living. Such a document contains a connection to the past and words of inspiration for the future. The reader of Second Timothy discovers, rather quickly, that this is the case for this body of work. In Pauls’ final letter to Timothy, one will find an imprisoned mentor writing to his protege in order to encourage him to continue the good work and to instill confidence in his Savior. While this letter was written to a young minister in the first century, there are vital points for believers today.

History Second Timothy is believed

Many academics have pointed to variations in literary form and doctrinal emphases, as compared to other known Pauline writings, to substantiate their claim. Based on this argument many believe the pastorals to be written under pseudonymity, meaning some later follower wrote these letters and attributed them to the apostle. While pseudonymity was more commonplace in the Gospels and the apocalypses, letters written in this way are very rare. If one were to take the position that the pastoral epistles were written by anyone but Paul, a more likely scenario would involve the use of an amanuenses or secretary. Paul is known to have used secretaries (Rom. 16:22; 1 Cor. 16:21; 2 Thess. 3:17; Phlm 19) and, given his present imprisonment, the writing of Second Timothy by use of a secretary is understandable. Further evidence suggest that Luke could have been the secretary in question as Second Timothy refers to him being present and the writings of Luke and Acts are stylistically similar. If a secretary was utilized, it is likely that who ever it was given freedom to write the letter based upon Paul specific instruction to

The first is seen in verse fourteen as Paul encourages Timothy to persist in all matters of faith that he has become certain about, recalling all the instruction he has received since childhood as well as from Paul. It is from their teaching that Timothy was made aware of the Gospel and his love for God nurtured. The second source of confidence Paul refers to are the “sacred writings” (2 Tim. 3:15). In this context Paul is referring to all of the Hebrew Scriptures that Timothy had learned from as a child and the message of the Gospel. Armed with knowledge of the Old Testament alongside the Gospel, Timothy will now be able to fully grasp what is necessary for saving faith in Christ. Paul further qualifies his preceding statement by proclaiming that “all Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Tim 3:16). In this verse the Scriptures “ascribe to themselves divine authorship,” and this is how Timothy can rest assured that what he has believed in is true. There is no room for human fallacy in the Word of God. Knowing this, Timothy can be confidant in and draw boldness from the message he proclaims because it is not man’s words, but God’s. The claim found in verse sixteen that all Scripture is profitable is substantially qualified because God is the author of it. Based on this fact, Paul proceeds to list the ways in which Scripture is profitable: teaching