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OCTOBER 28

1:7 a spirit of fear. The Greek word, which can 1:12 I also suffer. Paul had no fear of perse-
also be translated “timidity,”denotes a cowardly, cution and death from preaching the gospel
shameful fear caused by a weak, selfish charac- in a hostile setting because he was so confi-
ter.The threat of Roman persecution,which was dent God had sealed his future glory and
escalating under Nero, the hostility of those in blessing. know whom I have believed.
the Ephesian church who resented Timothy’s “Know” describes the certainty of Paul’s inti-
leadership, and the assaults of false teachers mate,saving knowledge—the object of which
with their sophisticated systems of deceptions was God Himself. The form of the Greek verb
may have been overwhelming Timothy.But if he translated “I have believed” refers to some-
was fearful, it didn’t come from God. power. thing that began in the past and has continu-
Positively,God has already given believers all the ing results. This knowing is equal to “the
spiritual resources they need for every trial and knowledge of the truth” (3:7; 1 Tim. 2:4). He is
threat (Matt. 10:19,20). Divine power—effective, able to keep what I have committed. Paul’s
productive spiritual energy belongs to believers life in time and eternity had been given to his
(Eph. 1:18–20; 3:20; Zech. 4:6). love. This kind of Lord.He lived with unwavering confidence
love centers on pleasing God and seeking oth- and boldness because of the revealed truth
ers’ welfare before one’s own (Rom. 14:8; Gal. about God’s power and faithfulness and his
5:22,25;Eph.3:19;1 Pet.1:22;1 John 4:18).sound own experience of an unbreakable relation-
mind. Refers to a disciplined,self-controlled,and ship to the Lord (Rom.8:31–39).that Day. Also
properly prioritized mind.This is the opposite of called “Day of Christ” (Phil. 1:10), when believ-
fear and cowardice that causes disorder and ers will stand before the judgment seat and be
confusion. Focusing on the sovereign nature rewarded.
and perfect purposes of our eternal God allows
believers to control their lives with godly wis-
dom and confidence in every situation.
15 This you know, that all those in Asia have
turned away from me, among whom are
for I know whom I have believed and am per- Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant
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suaded that He is able to keep what I have com- mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he
mitted to Him until that Day. often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my
Hold fast the pattern of sound words chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought
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which you have heard from me, in faith and me out very zealously and found me. The Lord
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love which are in Christ Jesus. That good grant to him that he may find mercy from the
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thing which was committed to you, keep by Lord in that Day—and you know very well how
the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
DAY 28:Why did Paul write 2 Timothy?

Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment for a short period of ministry during
which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. Second Timothy, however, finds Paul once again in a Roman
prison (1:16;2:9),apparently rearrested as part of Nero’s persecution of Christians.Unlike Paul’s con-
fident hope of release during his first imprisonment (Phil. 1:19,25,26; 2:24; Philem. 22), this time he
had no such hopes (4:6–8).In his first imprisonment in Rome (ca. A.D. 60–62),before Nero had begun
the persecution of Christians (A.D. 64), he was only under house arrest and had opportunity for
much interaction with people and ministry (Acts 28:16–31). At this time, 5 or 6 years later (ca. A.D.
66–67), however, he was in a cold cell (4:13), in chains (2:9), and with no hope of deliverance (4:6).
Abandoned by virtually all of those close to him for fear of persecution (1:15; 4:9–12,16) and
facing imminent execution, Paul wrote to Timothy, urging him to hasten to Rome for one last visit
with the apostle (4:9,21).Whether Timothy made it to Rome before Paul’s execution is not known.
According to tradition, Paul was not released from this second Roman imprisonment but suffered
the martyrdom he had foreseen (4:6).
In this letter, Paul, aware the end was near, passed the nonapostolic mantle of ministry to
Timothy (2:2) and exhorted him to continue faithful in his duties (1:6), hold on to sound doctrine
(1:13,14),avoid error (2:15–18),accept persecution for the gospel (2:3,4;3:10–12),put his confidence
in the Scripture, and preach it relentlessly (3:15–4:5).

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