Timothy II - Expositional Study
INTRODUCTION
In his book, Introduction to the New Testament, Henry Clarence Thiessen provides us with a comprehensive introduction to 2 Timothy. His scholarly work begins: This is undoubtedly the last of Paul's Epistles that have come down to us. It is mainly personal, only incidentally pastoral, and less doctrinal than the other two Pastoral Epistles. Those who deny the genuineness of the Pastorals generally concede that 2 Timothy contains most of Paul's own work. It is an Epistle of mingled gloom and glory. The Apostle rejoices at the prospect of soon seeing the Lord Whom he so dearly loved and so earnestly served, but he is afflicted by the ignominy of his present condition and immediate prospects. However, he is depressed more by the sense of loneliness – his friends have forsaken him, some for worthy reasons, some for unworthy. In addition to this, he feels the serious times that await the Church in the future.
Background and Addressee
Paul undoubtedly carried out his plans and proceeded to Nicopolis (Tit. 3:12). But since there are eight places that bore that name, we cannot be sure which one is meant. The prevailing opinion is that Paul went to the famous city in Epirus by that name. If this is the place, then he probably chose it for the purpose of the further evangelization of Dalmatia and Illyricum. But by this time the Neronic persecution of the Christians was in full swing, and Paul, deeming it unwise to remain any longer within easy reach of Rome, appears to have fled from Nicopolis across Macedonia to Troas. Here he was entertained by Carpus. Circumstances seem to have made it necessary for him to leave Troas suddenly; for he left his cloak, some books, and the parchments of the Old Testament Scriptures with Carpus (2 Tim. 4:13). It is impossible to reproduce with certainty the Apostle's movements during this period; all that we can do is suggest a plausible course of events. The one thing we know is that he was now arrested and hurried to Rome for trial.
The Apostle's condition was now very different from what it was during the first Roman imprisonment. Then he was accused by the Jews of heresy and sedition; now he is persecuted by Rome and treated as a malefactor. Then he preached to all who came to him in his own hired house and a number of his associates carried on missionary activity in the city and surrounding district; now his friends can see him only with difficulty and none stood by him in court. Then he looked forward to acquittal; now he looks forward to death. It is out of this background that Paul writes 2 Timothy.
Timothy had apparently left Ephesus by this time, for Paul writes that he has sent Tychicus to that city (4:12). He seems to have been engaged in evangelistic work, either in Macedonia or in the province Asia, at the time. Troas was apparently on the way to Rome (4:13), and the fact that Paul warns Timothy against Alexander the coppersmith (4:14, 15) and sends greetings to Onesiphorus (4:19), both of whom lived at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 1:16-18), seems to indicate that Paul expected him to pass through Ephesus also. If Paul's request for Timothy to come before winter implied, among other things, that he would travel by sea, then we may assume that Timothy was somewhere in Macedonia when he received Paul's letter. But he may also have been somewhere in the province Asia and have traveled northward through Troas and Macedonia, on his way to Rome. More than this we cannot say about Timothy's whereabouts at the time.
Occasion and Date
Three things seem to have led Paul to write this Epistle: His concern for Timothy as he was confronted by false teachers of his day; his desire for fellowship with his most trusted and faithful co-worker; and his need of the cloak, books, and parchments which he had left at Troas.
Timothy was fearful and hesitant and needed now and then to be reminded of his responsibility and to have his courage re-enforced. Paul felt that he must once more admonish him to give himself wholly to his task, particularly since the false teachers were multiplying (4:3, 4). They were deceiving the people (3:13), perhaps with magical charms, as the word seems to indicate, and tickling the ears of the people with their "fables" (4:4). Some were even teaching that the resurrection was past already (2:18). Timothy must be urged to stand against these false teachers.
The other two things are of a more private nature. Paul felt lonesome. In Asia all had turned against him (1:15). This probably means merely that at the time of his arrest no one did anything to help him. How careful he is to note the one exception: Onesiphorus of Ephesus had sought him out at Rome (1:16-18)! Of those in Rome, no one stood by him in court, but all forsook him; he prays that it be not laid to their charge (4:16-18). Indeed, at the time only Luke was with him (4:9-11). He is lonely and wants to share his feelings with someone who understands. And then Paul needed his cloak in the cold damp dungeon at Rome, as also the books and the parchments (4:13). These are the things that led Paul to write this Epistle.
Paul seems to have been executed shortly before Nero's death, i.e., before June 8, A.D. 68. It is clear that 2 Timothy was written shortly before Paul's execution. We may, therefore, date this Epistle in the early autumn of 67 or the spring of 68.
Purpose and Plan
Paul undertook to relate his own experiences and expectations and to encourage and instruct Timothy. After the salutation in 1:1-3, he (1) appeals in 1:3-18 for brave adherence to the Gospel and in 2:1-13 for steadfastness and endurance in the work, (2) in 2:14-26 gives instructions concerning Timothy's personal and ministerial conduct, (3) in 3:1-9 warns concerning the grievous times that are coming, (4) in 3:10-13 urges Timothy to follow his example, (5) in 3:14-17 encourages him on the ground of his early training, (6) in 4:1-8 appeals for faithful preaching of the Word in the light of the coming apostasy and his approaching martyrdom, (7) in 4:9-18 expresses his longing for fellowship, and sends greetings. We may arrange these thoughts in the following outline form:
Salutation, 1:1-3
(1) The Appeal for Faithfulness and Endurance, 1:4-2:13
(2) The Instructions Concerning Private and Ministerial Conduct, 2:14-26
(3) The Warnings Concerning the Future, 3:1-9
(4) The Reminder of Paul's Example and of Timothy's Early Training, 3:10-17
(5) The Exhortation to Biblical Preaching in the Light of the Future, 4:1-8
(6) The Intimations of the Apostle's Loneliness, 4:9-18
Conclusion, 4:19-22
