A dim Roman prison cell at first light: rough stone walls, straw on the floor, a heavy iron chain lying slack from a ring in the wall, and a rolled, tied scroll on a plain wooden bench under a shaft of grey light.

The Book of

2 Timothy 1

Chained in Rome, with almost everyone gone, Paul writes one last letter to the young man he calls his son.

18 verses≈ 3 min4 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1Not ashamedGuard the gospel, share the sufferingChapter 1
2Be strongSoldier, athlete, farmer, workman
3Hard timesLast days and the God-breathed Word
4Finish wellPreach the word; the race is run

Paul’s Greeting to Timothy

From PaulTo Timothy, my beloved child

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

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

2 Timothy 1:1–5

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

At the doorway of a small stone house in Lystra at evening, an older woman and a younger woman, seen from behind, stand with a boy of about seven between them, the grandmother’s hand on his shoulder.

In this chapter

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner.

2 Timothy 1:8

Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,

Grace before time began

Whiteboard

Paul traces our salvation back before the world began. God saved us and called us, not because of anything we did, but by His own purpose and grace, given in Christ. That grace stayed hidden until Jesus came. By His coming He broke the power of death and opened the way to life that never ends, and now that news goes out “through the gospel.”

Pray

Not a spirit of fear

Paul tells a young, timid leader, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Bring God whatever makes you afraid today. Ask Him to fan into flame what He has already given you, and to fill you with His power, His love and a steady, self-controlled mind.

An old man’s hands folded on his knees in a dim cell, an iron manacle on one wrist with its chain running out of frame, a thin line of warm light falling across them.

to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Holding to Sound Teaching

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

2 Timothy 1:14

Question

Quick question

Paul is near the end of his life, and he hands Timothy something precious to keep safe.

Who helps Timothy guard the treasure entrusted to him?

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Asia and Rome

Timothy is probably in Asia, the Roman province in what is now western Turkey, where Ephesus was the great city. Paul has been left alone: “everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me.” Yet one friend who had served Paul in Ephesus made the long journey west to Rome, and there “he searched diligently until he found me.”

Paul

May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day.

You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.

2 Timothy 1:18

Reflect

Unashamed of the chains

When almost everyone left Paul, Onesiphorus went looking for him. Paul says “he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.” Who do you know who is lonely, unwell, or going through something others avoid? What is one way you could seek them out and refresh them this week?

You’ve experienced

2 Timothy 1

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A verse to carry with you

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

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