Book introduction
The book of 2 Timothy
2 Timothy reads as Paul’s last letter, written from prison as he expects to die. He urges Timothy to stay faithful, keep teaching, and hold on to Scripture. “I have fought the good fight.”
Who wrote 2 Timothy?
The letter names Paul. Authorship is debated; see 1 Timothy. Some who doubt the other two still accept this one as Paul’s.
When was it written?
About AD 64–67 if by Paul.
Main themes
- Do not be ashamed
- Share in suffering for the gospel.
- Scripture
- All Scripture is breathed out by God and useful.
- Finish well
- Paul has kept the faith to the end.
Outline of 2 Timothy
Key verses
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power, love, and sound thinking.
All Scripture comes from the breath of God and is beneficial for teaching, for reproof, for setting things right, and for training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be fully capable, thoroughly prepared for every good work.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Four short chapters. Read it as a farewell.
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