II Timothy 1, Suffering and Not Ashamed

We have preserved two of Paul's letter addressed directly to Timothy, a young convert and eventual minister of the gospel.  The second later was probably written quite a bit later than the first, as in the second letter, Paul seems aware of pending death.

2 Timothy 1: 1-2, Greeting in Jesus

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

A fairly typical greeting from Paul, emphasizing the role of Jesus.

2 Timothy 1: 3-5, Affection, Eunice, Lois

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.  I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Paul expresses his affection for Timothy and recalls the legacy provided Timothy by mother and grandmother, presumably Jewish women, who knew the same Jewish "forefathers".

2 Timothy 1: 6-10, Continue in the gospel; join me in suffering for God

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.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. 

But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Timothy has received certain gifts from God, and although relatively young, he is to go forward with confidence in his ministry.  Paul emphasizes the undeserved gift of grace from God and gets excited, rambling a bit on the attributes of God.

2 Timothy 1: 11-12, Yet He uses me!

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.  That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Paul circles back to his own confidence and excitement about his own role in the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 1: 13-14, Stay sound!

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

So Paul reminds Timothy to continue to be consistent, stable, sound.  Timothy is to practice good sensible doctrine, guided by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1: 15-18, Two deserters, one committed brother

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 

May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Two personal stories end this section, a sad one and an encouraging one.  Paul will say more at the end about some of the travelers who left him or opposed him.  Here he spends some time praising Onesiphorus for his commitment and faithfulness.