2 Timothy

 2 Letter of St. Paul to Timothy   

Title: This is the Second letter St. Paul wrote to his “child” Timothy. Apparently, there is almost a decade between the letters (see 1 Tim, Date of Writing).   

Date of writing: This Epistle is easy to date – Paul in in Rome (1:16-17; 4:17b), he had his first hearing (4:16), still in chains (2:9a). Luke wrote that Paul spent [at least] two years in Rome (Acts 28:30-31). Putting all these indications together, the letter can be dated around 65 AD.

Date of Narrative: There are two important temporal directions: current situation of St. Paul and reminiscence of Timothy’s upbringing.  

Structure:

a. 1:1-7, Greetings and thanks

 b. 1:8-18, Paul’s difficulties (names)

  c. 2:1-13, my son, share what you have heard from me.

   d. 2:14-19, Godly worker avoiding shameful people.

    e. 2:20-21, vessels in the house of God

    e. 2:22-26, you flee passions, pursue righteousness.

   d’. 3:1-9, Avoid ungodly people

  c’. 3:10 – 4:5, You follow my teaching.

 b’. 4:6-18, Paul’s difficulties (names)

a’. 4:19-22, Final greetings.

 

Main themes: There can be deduced two main themes. First, the most obvious, faithfulness and piety of a minister. In the realm of faithfulness, the Apostle brings up three examples: soldier (2:3-4; cp. Eph. 6:12-17), athlete (2:5, cp. 1 Cor 9:25), and a hard-working farmer (2:6; cp. Ps. 126:5-6).

On a more subtle level: readers can see a theme of Apostle’s personal disappointment, especially as his case develops. He was not able to defend himself at the first hearing, there are many who are doing him harm, and [maybe] he is not sure that he will be freed. Yet, in all these circumstances he trusts in the Lord and sees that even court rooms can be used for proclamation of the Word, and Lord will take him to heavenly kingdom (4:17b; cp. Phil 1 and 2).         

Main Characters: Paul, Timothy. People are sending greetings to Timothy: Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers.

Those who support Paul	Those who oppose Paul	Those who left Paul
Lois, grandmother of Timothy Eunice, mother of Timothy Household of Onesiphorus, Mark, Tychius, Carpus   Prisca and Aquila Erastus and Trophimus	Phygelus, Hermogenes, Hymaneus and Philetus, Alexander the coppersmith	Demas to Thessalonica Crescens to Galatia Titus to Dalmatia [only Luke is with me]

 

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: Four steps pattern of the discipleship is based on the family pattern of Psalms (78:5-7) and societal testimonies in the times of the Prophets (Joel 1:3-5)

References to the Old Testament sacrificial system (4:6). Drink offering typology drawn from Ex. 29:38-41 and Num 28:1-8.

Lutheran teaching: Scripture is the norm and the standard for all teachings. It should be exercised for proclamation of the Word and rebuking of sinful men (FC, Ep. Sum:1; FC, SD Sum:14; FC SD VI:14; FC SD XI:12).

“While holiness of life and obedience to Christ are expected of all members of the congregation, it is especially important that you, as office-bearers in His Church, show yourself, by word and example, to be faithful to Him in service and Christian devotion”. LSB: Agenda, p. 247 (installation of congregational officers). 

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 587 – I Know My Faith is Founded (2 Tim.1:12).

LSB 666 – Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe (2 Tim. 4:18).

Relevancy of the Book: The Epistle is important for the life of a Christian for [at least] two reasons. We can learn a proper perspective on life and this world from struggling apostle Paul full of expectation to be re-united with the Lord in heaven. Also, the world then and now is full of impurity, yet God wants us not only wait for heaven, but to pursue righteousness, faith love, and peace here (2:22).

Memory verses:  3:16-17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.