The Book of 2 Timothy

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy in The New Testament - A Brief Overview

Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657

Introduction to The Book of 2 Timothy

Brief Summary. Paul writes his final letter to his faithful companion Timothy. He ends by saying that his death is at hand, that he fought the good fight, that he finished the course, that he has kept the faith, and there is awaiting for him a crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy was the last of Paul's recorded writings and according tradition he was soon beheaded.

Content. Paul clearly longed for his companion Timothy. He wanted to further instruct his disciple in his battle against false doctrine. Paul also mentions his need for his cloak, his books, and his parchment which it left at Troas. Paul ends his letter to Timothy with a statement that would powerfully speak to anyone suffering for the Lord, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8 ).

Historical Background. Paul's second letter to Timothy was written while Paul was in prison. This is his second imprisonment in Rome, and he is under strict custody. There appears to be no hope of release, and it seems that his death is imminent. Paul in his old age longs for his young companion and coworker in the ministry of Christ, his friend Timothy.

The Last of Paul's Letters. this was the apostle Paul's last letter in recorded history. Soon after, according to tradition, he was led out on the Ostran way where he was beheaded.

Author. Paul the apostle

Date. Paul second imprisonment in Rome came during the persecution of the Emperor Nero, and this would place the date of the epistle to 2 Timothy to be around the beginning of 68 AD. The book was written in Rome, Timothy had left Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:12) and was on his way to Rome. Timothy may have been in Macedonia at the time that this book was written.

The Pastoral Epistles. 1 and 2 Timothy, in Titus are referred to as the pastoral epistles. Most scholars believe they were written between Paul's first and second imprisonments, sometime between 64 and 67 AD.

Timothy. Timothy became a new convert of Paul the apostle on his first missionary journey (1 Timothy 1:2, 18, Acts 14:6-23), and Timothy became a devoted traveling companion of Paul's. Timothy was a native of Lystra, and he was with Paul when he was imprisoned Rome. Paul mentions that Timothy made the journey from Rome to Philippi (Philippians 2:19-23). Sometime later became the minister of the church at Ephesus, and Paul the apostle addresses his epistle to Timothy as a minister at Ephesus.

Outline of the Book of 2 Timothy

Faithfulness - Chapter 1
Devotion and Conflict - Chapter 2
Apostasy and the Word of God - Chapter 3
God Will be Faithful - Chapter 4

The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus" would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A). Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means "The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".

2 Timothy Maps and Resources

Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)

Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)

Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities within Greece in the ancient world during the first century A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like: Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia and Achaia. (Color Map)

Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)