At first light a courier, seen from behind, walks out of Rome through a plain arched gateway in a brick-and-stone wall, a leather satchel at his side, the paved road and umbrella pines ahead of him.

The Book of

2 Timothy Intro

Paul’s last letter, sent from a Roman cell to the young man he called his son.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min4 chapters

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Who wrote it

Paul

Apostle, writing his last letter

Paul names himself at the start, and the early church knew the letter as his. Some scholars question that, but few letters are so full of personal detail.2 Timothy 1:1
Written to Timothy, his partner since Lystra, the son of a believing Jewish mother and a Greek father.Acts 16:1
Traditionally written in a second, harsher imprisonment in Rome, shortly before Paul’s death under Nero, about AD 64–67.Church tradition
Timothy was probably still at Ephesus, where Paul had asked him to stay on.1 Timothy 1:3

How it’s built

A father’s last charge

Whiteboard

One chapter for each part. Again and again Paul turns to Timothy with two words, ‘But you’: others may drift, but Timothy is to stand firm and carry on the work.

Big themes

What Paul hands on

Where it happens

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Ephesus to Rome

Paul is chained in Rome. Timothy is probably far to the east, at Ephesus. Paul asks him to come before winter, stopping at Troas on the way for a cloak and some scrolls.

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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

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Question

Quick question

Near the end of his life, Paul’s last requests are very ordinary. Winter is coming, and he still has work to do.

What does Paul ask Timothy to bring with him?

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