The Epistles · Chapter 1 of 4

2 Timothy 1

Paul opens his last letter with warmth and courage. He remembers Timothy's tears and the genuine faith passed down through his grandmother and mother, urging him to stir up the gift of God. Because God gives a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind, Timothy must not be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul's chains.

What happens in 2 Timothy 1

Writing as an apostle by the will of God, Paul greets Timothy as his beloved son and thanks God for him in prayer. He recalls Timothy's tears and longs to see him, remembering the unfeigned faith that lived first in Lois and Eunice and now in Timothy. Paul urges him to fan into flame the gift of God given by the laying on of hands, because God has not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Timothy should not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul the prisoner, but share in the gospel's afflictions by God's power.

God saved and called us by His own grace, given in Christ before the world began and now revealed through the Saviour who abolished death. Paul, though suffering, is unashamed, sure that God can keep what he has entrusted. He commends loyal Onesiphorus, who refreshed him and sought him out in Rome.

2 Timothy 1 in context

This is likely Paul's final letter, written from a Roman prison as he faces death. Timothy is a timid younger pastor whom many have abandoned, and desertion is spreading through the churches of Asia.

Paul writes to strengthen his spiritual son, grounding real courage not in his temperament but in the God who first called him and faithfully keeps him.

Main themes of 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1 (KJV)

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Verses to carry from 2 Timothy 1

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”2 Timothy 1:7

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”2 Timothy 1:9

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”2 Timothy 1:12

Reflection

Fear can quietly smother a gift. Where has yours grown cold? Paul's remedy is not to try harder in your own strength but to remember the Spirit already given, power, love, and a sound mind, and to fan the embers into flame by using what God placed in you.

A prayer from 2 Timothy 1