INTRODUCTION
Paul’s main reason for corresponding with Timothy was to
give his last instructions to him on continuing in the Christian life. 2
Timothy is an extremely personal letter that reveals Paul’s steadfast love and
care for Timothy. He encourages him to use the spiritual gifts that he received
by the laying on of hands by Paul. He wants him to be strong in the face of adversity
and affliction because Paul understood that to stand for Christ would bring
persecution. Timothy needed to maintain
a strong allegiance to Christ. He needed to dispense the Word of God precisely
and exactly teaching others the truth of the gospel. Paul knew only to well the
hardships of ministry. He had walked through the hardships and the struggles
that are faced as one walks in the path laid out by Christ. One must be able to
stand and endure these things faithfully for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
The
words spoken at the end of one’s life are words that will ring clear and true. We
listen carefully as the last hour approaches and death is a certainty. It is at
this point that the person will give their most important words of guidance.
Paul wrote from his harsh confinement in a Roman prison knowing that his time
was short. He gave very explicit directions to Timothy reinforcing the
importance of our commitment to God and the procedure used to carry out His
work. Paul speaks to Timothy of the last days and what to expect. Paul’s life
was being “poured out as a drink offering to God”, and he encourages Timothy to
be watchful, endure suffering and finish his ministry.
He
longs to see Timothy before he dies. He speaks of his feeling of abandonment as
he faced his accusers, but the Lord stood with him and strengthened him. (2
Timothy 4:16-17). “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith. 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 all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4: 7-8).
OVERVIEW OF HISTORICAL
CONTEXT
Paul
was in Ephesus for three years establishing a church, and when he was preparing
to leave he called the elders together to speak to them. Acts 20 records his
words. He tells them that there will be danger for the church from outside of
the church and from within the church. “For I have
not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore
unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own
blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in
among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise,
speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch,
and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one
night and day with tears” (Acts 20: 27-31).
Acts
28 finds Paul in Rome under house arrest. This allowed him the freedom to
entertain friends and to minister to those who came to visit with him. He spent
two years under house arrest, and it was during this time that he wrote letters
to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Luke never says what
happened to Paul’s case. Luke ends Acts with Paul still under house arrest. The
dates of his arrest would be A.D. 60-62.
It
is difficult to say exactly where Paul went after his release from prison. We
do know that Paul and Timothy went to Ephesus only to find false teachings in
the church. Paul took the strong action that we see in 1 Timothy 1:18-20: “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the
prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good
warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away
concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom
I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Paul left
Timothy in Ephesus and continued to Macedonia. Paul was confident in Timothy’s
ability to handle the situation, and to teach sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3).
Paul’s second imprisonment was harsh. Paul was in
chains according to 2 Timothy 1:16 and 2:9. It is believed that 2 Timothy was
written in A.D. 67 just prior to Paul being martyred by Nero. “It is, therefore, recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself,
and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero. This account of Peter and
Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the
cemeteries of that place even to the present day.”[1]
PAUL’S FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
TO TIMOTHY
Timothy was one of Paul’s converts,
and traveled with him for many years. Timothy’s godly mother Eunice and
grandmother Lois built a foundation for Paul to build on. Paul trained Timothy and
began to give him more and more responsibility. “There is ample evidence that
Paul wholeheartedly appreciated the selfless devotion with which Timothy
supported and served him for the rest of the older man’s life.” [2] “I hope in the LORD Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I
also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him,
who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for
their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has
proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the
work of the gospel” (Philippians 2:19-22). Leaving Timothy in Ephesus was a huge step for
Paul to take and as his spiritual guide he wrote letters to Timothy to give
instruction. 2 Timothy becomes even more meaningful when one realizes that this
is his final instruction to Timothy. “It begins by reminding Timothy of his
relationship with Paul and his similar calling. He is to follow Paul’s model
(1:11-13; 2:8-10; 3:10-17; 4:6-7) as he prepares to join Paul...Within the NT
it is 2 Timothy that concludes the Pauline story.”[3] This was
a letter from a caring spiritual father. Paul was a father in great need
himself as he faced the loneliness and hardship of the Roman prison, but a
father who was determined to give the final words of guidance to his spiritual
son. The picture of Paul’s emotional state reminds us of Christ in the Garden
of Gethsemane where His sweat became like big drops of blood. Paul speaks of
“being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand”
(2 Timothy 4:6b).
Paul’s final instructions to Timothy
are beneficial to us today. He tells Timothy: “Therefore I remind you to stir
up the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands. For
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound
mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). All these things would be beneficial to Timothy’s ministry.
Paul advised Timothy to revive the
spiritual gifts that are in him. In 1 Timothy 4: 14 he is told not to neglect
the spiritual gift that was given to him. “The Spirits presence is the crucial
matter, but that presence does not automatically ensure a quickened, fervent
Spiritual life. Both individuals and the church as a whole are exhorted to keep
the gift aflame.[4]
When God gives us a gift we are responsible for the use of it. The gift should
be exercised by use and should be used with diligence in our ministry wherever
God has called us. At times it takes a deliberated effort to use our gift in a
way that is pleasing to God and furthers his kingdom here on earth. It is
through the Holy Spirit that we receive our gifts and are emboldened to use them.
God’s Spirit does not give fear, but gives us the power to use our gift, and
love to spread about, and a sound mind or self-control so we are effective
witnesses of His power and love. We must never be ashamed of the gospel of
Christ. “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 unto Him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Paul tells Timothy to be faithful.
Paul accentuates Christ’s strength working in Timothy not Timothy working in
his own strength. Paul wanted exponential growth which meant Timothy passed the
message to righteous men who passed it on to others who would pass it on, and
on and on it goes causing exponential growth. When Paul led people to Christ he
did not just walk away but cared for them to bring them to maturity. This is
what Timothy was doing.
Paul uses three example of faithfulness which makes us feel the
importance of this. He uses a soldier, athlete, and farmer. “Metaphorical use
of the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer to encourage commitment,
self-control, discipline and preparedness occurs elsewhere in Paul (1 Cor. 9:7;
Eph 6: 11-17; 1 Thess. 5:8) and more widely in the secular ethical writers.
Structurally, each example encourages a specific mode or quality of behavior
and links it to a goal that the practice of that behavior will obtain.”[5] We are
in spiritual warfare. Our enemy, the devil, is on the prowl like a lion seeking
someone to devour.
Athletes do
strenuous training to prepare for the competition. “He is to look above in the
text to the overriding requirement made of him-suffering. The attempt to avoid
suffering, or situations that might lead to suffering, would amount to a breach
of the rules.”[6]
They must compete within the rules that are set if they are to win. “Paul makes
reference to the adherence to the rules of the games in 2 Timothy 2:5: “And if
a man also strives for masteries, yet he is not crowned, except he strive
lawfully.”[7] We as
believers must walk in God’s way in all faithfulness.
Farmers are hard workers. To bring in a crop takes persistent work
and care. It is than he gains an abundant crop. “The activity of “hard work”
connect with the theme of singlemindedness (the soldier) and discipline (the
athlete), so once again the example does not endorse just any kind of activity
but specifically diligent and focused activity.”[8] These are all illustrations of the
faithfulness and hard work and study that must go into the ministry of the
individual. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker that
need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Paul gives an illustration of the great house that has vessels of
gold and silver and wood and clay. “Some of honor and some of dishonor” (2
Timothy 2:20b). Timothy is to serve the Lord the Master in the power of the
Holy Spirit to further his kingdom here on earth. We must be useful to our
Master. He tells Timothy to “flee also youthful lusts, but to pursue righteousness,
faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2
Timothy 2: 22). “Paul underlines more than anything the goal of producing
changed lives so that people within the “household” might be transformed from opposing
to serving Christ. Timothy’s own behavior and the choices he must make are
still in view.”[9]
Timothy is to continue to correct those in opposition to the
truth. He tells Timothy to be gentle and humble and not quarrelsome. Paul’s
hope is that they will come to repentance, and once again live and walk in the
truth. Paul was a missionary, and deeply concerned about the young churches
continuing mission in the world. He was training men to continue with his work.
Christ was the foundation that the church was built on, but the apostles were
the men building on this foundation, and the men they trained would have to
carry on the teaching. “And the things you have
heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who
will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). The men trained by the
apostles would need to train others that would follow in their footsteps. In
the Old Testament God instructed the Israelites to tell their children, so that
the message would pass from one generation to another. “Hear,
O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These
commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on
your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the
road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands
and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses
and on your gates” (Duet. 6:4-9).
Christ gave
the “Great Commission” and the apostles were carrying this out as we as
believers must do. Paul was insuring that Timothy was well taught and would be
able to pass the message on. They are to focus on missions and evangelism, but
more then that they must teach the gospel message in all truth and
faithfulness. They were not to add or subtract but teach the truth as it had
been taught to them. “For the time will come when people will not put up with
sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around
them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2
Timothy 4:3). Paul’s instruction to Timothy were important because there is
nothing more important than the life-giving message of Christ. “What you heard
from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ
Jesus” (2 Timothy1:13).
APPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
It is important today to exercise the gifts that the Holy Spirit
bestows on us. “The church must not ignore the great spiritual needs around it,
either by becoming exclusively self focused or by targeting only certain
exclusive segments of unbelievers.”[10] Christ
died for all people through all generations. We must walk in the Spirit,
because walking in the Spirit is to use the gifts that the Spirit has given us
to bring people to Christ. We do not work in our own strength, but through the
strength given to us by Christ. We are completely dependent on him for our very
breath. It is difficult to realize that we can do nothing and have nothing
without Christ. We consider ourselves very independent, and yet we exist
because God allows it.
Faithfulness is an important attribute. It speaks of commitment,
self-control, discipline and preparedness. All these things are important as we
walk with Christ fulfilling his will for our lives. We are in a spiritual
warfare and are told to put on our spiritual armor. One can listen to the news
and see and here of the wars and rumors of wars. There is even warring between
neighbors, and in relationships. These are all the war for this world. Satan
would take it for himself. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”
(Ephesians 6:12). Like Timothy we are to stand in opposition to those stand
against the truth of the Gospel. There must be sound teaching which means
staying in the Word, so we know the truth and cannot be deceived.
“Faithfulness characterizes God’s loyalty to his covenant people
and becomes a divine requirement pressing upon humans the need for a similar loyalty
in their relationship with God.” [11] He was
faithful to his covenant people and he is faithful to the church. As Christians
our faithfulness is to God. Our loyalty belongs to our Savior. “We can have
green leaves in drought and be like a tree planted by the river of waters and
bring forth fruit and green leaves and prosper” (Psalms 1:3). We are to plant
the seeds of the gospel. The seeds must be planted if you are to have a crop.
The things that were true for Timothy are still true for us today. The Word
must go forth in truth, and we must stand strong against false doctrine.
CONCLUSION
Paul was very serious about the
importance of passing the message to the next generation accurately. Teaching
is of the utmost importance. It is through teaching that the “Great Commission”
is carried out. The apostles are gone, but due to their commitment to the
teaching of the gospel, and their willingness to suffer for the sake of Christ,
because they had young men like Timothy who shared their passion for reaching
the world for the Lord we have the Word available to us.
Paul understood that to stand for
Christ would bring persecution. He knew the hardship connected to the preaching
of Christ. He encouraged Timothy to stand firm. He speaks to Timothy of the
last days and tells him to fulfill his ministry. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do
the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy
4:5). Paul does not sugar coat the prospects for Timothy, but Christ did not
sugar coat it for us. “Remember the word that I
said unto you. The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have
persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they
will keep yours also” (John 15:20).
Timothy had to have felt the
loneliness of his beloved mentor and knew that he (Timothy) had chosen to walk
the path that God had laid out for him. Timothy was imprisoned for a time for
his faith. The end of Hebrews says he was set free. Paul spoke with candor to
Timothy as he shares his thoughts and feelings. He had run a long hard race,
but now his reward was imminent. “For I am
already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure
is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but
also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruce, F.F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977.
Burge, G. M.
“Faithfulness”. Edited by Walter A. Elwell. Evangelical
Dictionary of Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker
Academic, 2001.
Eusebius of
Caesaria. “The Complete Works of
Eusebius of Caesaria.” (Toronto, Ontario Canada: Public Domain, March,
2016), Kindle Book: Book 2, chapter 25.
Fee, Gordon D. Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God. Grand
Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 1996.
Hoyt, Samuel L. The Judgement Seat of Christ. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Grace Gospel
Press,
2011
Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in 1&2 Timothy and Titus. Nashville, Tennessee:
B&H Publishing,
2013.
Towner, Philip H. The Letters to Timothy and Titus. Grand
Rapids, Michigan: Williams B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006.
[1] Eusebius of
Caesaria. “The Complete Works of
Eusebius of Caesaria.” (Toronto, Ontario Canada: Public Domain, March,
2016), Kindle Book: Book 2, chapter 25.
[5] Ibid., 492.
[8] Phillip H.
Towner. The Letters of Timothy and Titus.
(Grand Rapids, Michigan: Willian B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006), 295.
[9] Ibid., 543.
[10] David Platt. Exalting Jesus in 1&2 Timothy and Titus.
(Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing, 2013), Kindle.
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