Page 75 - Pastoral Epistles student textbook

Onesiphorus lived in Ephesus, and Luke tells us that the other two stayed there when Paul
sailed for Judea.

The main purpose of this letter is to strengthen Timothy both in the faith of the Gospel and in
his pure and constant preaching of it. The particular circumstances of that time add special
weight to these instructions. Paul faced imminent death and was prepared to suffer as a
witness to the Gospel. So, everything that we read in this letter about Christ’s kingdom, the
hope of eternal life, the Christian warfare, confidence in confessing Christ, and the certainty of
doctrine should be seen as written not merely in ink but in Paul’s lifeblood. He is prepared to
offer the pledge of his death for everything he writes about. So this letter may be seen as a
solemn and urgent ratification of Paul’s teaching.
It is important to remember, as we pointed out in the case of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, that
the apostle was not just writing for one man but was giving teaching that had a general
application and that Timothy could later pass on to others.

Excerpt taken from: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus by John Calvin.

Paul wrote this letter as he awaited execution. Despite all that Paul was facing—death, the end of his
ministry, abandonment by most of his friends for fear of persecution—he faithfully directed his
spiritual son Timothy to the hope that is in Christ. As he exhorted Timothy to boldness, endurance, and
faithfulness in the face of false teaching, Paul showed his customary concern for sound doctrine.
Scripture, said Paul, is “breathed out by God” and is sufficient in all things pertaining to the faith and
practice of Christians (3:16-17). Older believers, therefore, should be eager to pass on their knowledge
of Scripture to those who are younger in the faith (2:2). Paul probably wrote from Rome, AD 67 or 68.

2 Timothy 1:1-5. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with
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the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear son:
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Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and
day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you,
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so that I may be filled with joy. I am 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.

Two things to consider from this paragraph.
V3. We need to have people praying for us.

V5. Our faith must be sincere.
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2 Timothy 1:6-7. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which
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is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make
us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

When we put our faith in Jesus for our salvation the Holy Spirit enters our life and at that moment, we
receive our Spiritual Gift(s).

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