Book 55 of 66 · New Testament

2 Timothy

Paul's final letter: a dying apostle's charge to preach the word and finish the race

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4 chapters · New Testament
The book in brief

2 Timothy at a glance

Paul's final letter: a dying apostle's charge to preach the word and finish the race

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Questions30 · 1 quiz

2 Timothy is the apostle Paul's last surviving letter, written from a Roman prison to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith and his delegate in Ephesus. Unlike his earlier, more comfortable house arrest, Paul now writes in chains as a common criminal, expecting execution. The letter is the third of the Pastoral Epistles (with 1 Timothy and Titus), but it is far more personal than the other two: a spiritual last will and testament from a mentor who knows his time of departure is at hand.

Paul urges Timothy to stir up the gift of God in him, reminding him that God has not given a spirit of fear. He calls him to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, to study to show himself approved, and to flee youthful lusts. He warns of perilous times in the last days and of people with itching ears, pointing Timothy back to the scriptures he has known from childhood. The letter closes with Paul's famous testimony that he has fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith, along with personal requests for his cloak, his books, and for Timothy to come before winter.

2 Timothy matters because it shows how the gospel outlives its messengers. Paul is bound, but the word of God is not bound, and his charge to preach the word in season and out of season has commissioned every generation of believers since. It is the Bible's great portrait of finishing well.

Endurance in sufferingGuarding the gospelThe inspiration of scriptureFinishing the racePassing on the faith
Verse to remember

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 King James Version

Structure & cast

Explore 2 Timothy

How 2 Timothy unfolds

7 sections
  • 1
    Greeting and Timothy's heritage of faith (ch. 1:1-7)Paul thanks God for Timothy, recalls the unfeigned faith of his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, and urges him to stir up the gift of God, for God has given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
  • 2
    Not ashamed of the gospel (ch. 1:8-18)Paul calls Timothy to share in suffering for the gospel, testifies that he knows whom he has believed, notes that all in Asia turned away from him, and commends Onesiphorus, who was not ashamed of his chain.
  • 3
    Endure as a good soldier (ch. 2:1-13)Timothy must commit the teaching to faithful men and endure hardness like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Paul suffers as an evildoer, but the word of God is not bound.
  • 4
    A workman approved unto God (ch. 2:14-26)Timothy should study to show himself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth, shun profane babblings like those of Hymenaeus and Philetus, flee youthful lusts, and gently instruct those who oppose.
  • 5
    Perilous times and the power of scripture (ch. 3)In the last days men will be lovers of their own selves. Timothy has fully known Paul's doctrine and persecutions, and must continue in the holy scriptures, which are given by inspiration of God.
  • 6
    Preach the word; Paul's farewell (ch. 4:1-8)Paul solemnly charges Timothy to preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, for people with itching ears will heap up teachers. Paul is ready to be offered: he has fought a good fight and a crown of righteousness awaits.
  • 7
    Final requests and greetings (ch. 4:9-22)Paul asks Timothy to come quickly, bringing Mark, the cloak, and the parchments. Demas has forsaken him, only Luke is with him, and though all men forsook him at his first answer, the Lord stood with him.

People to know

6 figures
  • PaulThe author, an imprisoned apostle facing execution in Rome, writing his final letter as a charge to his successor.
  • TimothyPaul's dearly beloved son in the faith, ministering in Ephesus, urged to guard the gospel and preach the word.
  • Lois and EuniceTimothy's grandmother and mother, whose unfeigned faith first dwelt in them and then in Timothy.
  • OnesiphorusA believer who often refreshed Paul and was not ashamed of his chain, seeking him out diligently in Rome.
  • DemasA former companion who forsook Paul, having loved this present world, and departed to Thessalonica.
  • LukeThe physician and Gospel writer, the only companion still with Paul at the end.
Verses to remember

Words worth carrying with you

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 · KJV

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16 · KJV

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2 Timothy 4:7 · KJV
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30 questions from the King James Version, all ages welcome. Keep score, then challenge a friend or your whole group.

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2 Timothy Bible Quiz: Preach the Word | 30 Questions