the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
Click here to learn more!
Bible Commentaries
Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes Bullinger's Companion Notes
Paul's Encouragement; Call to Faithfulness.Chapter 2
Endurance in Ministry; Qualifications for Leaders.Chapter 3
Perilous Times; Scripture's Usefulness.Chapter 4
Paul's Final Charge; Personal Reflections; Greetings.
- 2 Timothy
by E.W. Bullinger
2Ti THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE. 2 Timothy 1:1-2 . GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION. 2 Timothy 1:3-18 . EPISTOLARY. PRIVATE AND PERSONAL. 2 Timothy 2:1-26 . CHARGES CONNECTED WITH THE GOSPEL. 2 Timothy 3:1-17 ; 2 Timothy 4:1-8 . CHARGES CONNECTED WITH THE APOSTASY. 2 Timothy 4:9-21 . EPISTOLARY. PRIVATE AND PERSONAL. 2Ti 4:-21-22 . GREETINGS. BENEDICTION. THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. INTRODUCTORY NOTES. 1. The Second Epistle to Timothy is the latest of all of Paul''s writings. It was written during his second imprisonment at Rome, within a short time of his martyrdom (2 Timothy 4:6 ), probably at the end of A. D. 67 or early 68. It is thought that at this time Timothy was at Ephesus. The apostle''s regard for his "dearly beloved son" is seen in 2 Timothy 1:4 , and it is affecting to observe the pathetic desire to see Timothy once more before death, 4:9, 11, 21. No further mention is made of Timothy. The tradition that he suffered martyrdom about the end of the first century is only tradition. 2. The prominent feature of this Epistle is the "church''s" departure from the truth (See 2 Timothy 1:15 ; 2 Timothy 2:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:8 ; 2 Timothy 4:4 ). When "all they which are in Asia (cp. Acts 19:10 ) be turned away from" Paul, he exhorts Timothy, his "son", therefore to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus". No more is there heard, as in the First Epistle and in that to Titus, the apostolic guidance for the church rule or administration of any kind. Only two things are possible now, "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2 ), and "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2 ). And, as in the First Epistle, the Holy Spirit through Paul tells of even worse days to come, perilous, or grievous, times "in the last days" (2 Timothy 3:1 ; 2 Timothy 4:3 ), the only charge in connection with which is "Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of" (2 Timothy 3:14 ).
