Bible Commentaries
2 Timothy

Mr. D’s Notes on II TImothy

Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.

Copyright 2003

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author, except as provided by U.S.A. copyright laws. Do feel free to make copies for friends that might be interested as long as you do not make profit from the copies. This is God’s work and I don’t want anyone to profit from it in a material way.

OUTLINE OF II TIMOTHY

I. LIVE ABOVE IT (The world) 1:1-2

II. LIVE LIKE IT (The upbringing and teaching) 1:3-18

III. LIVE THROUGH IT (The suffering) 2:1-26

IIII. LIVE BECAUSE OF IT (The Scripture) 3:1-17

V. LIVE ACCORDING TO IT (The doctrine) 4:1-22

II TIMOTHY

An overview

Paul introduces himself and immediately reminds Timothy of a few things that were mentioned in his first letter: Paul is an apostle, because of God and Christ and that grace mercy and peace come from God.

His prayers for Timothy are mentioned – seemingly as an encouragement to the young representative. Paul reminds him of his spiritual heritage – a reminder that we all need from time to time so that we can realize the importance of others in our lives.

Further reminder is given concerning Timothy’s abilities/gift which he is supposed to be using for God. Paul has reminded Timothy of his ability and spiritual roots to encourage him to not be ashamed of his ministry nor Paul’s imprisonment. This is followed by a reminder of our position in Christ which further relates to being bold in our witness.

Further, he states his own confidence in all that he is as a believer/apostle, and that he is neither ashamed of his ministry nor his present circumstance. A final encouragement for Timothy to hold fast to what he has in Christ is given.

Verse fifteen mentions Paul’s loss of some acquaintances and the goodness of another. Based on the straying of some and quality of others, Timothy is encouraged to commit what he has learned to others that they might teach others to do the work of the Lord – the overall purpose of life for the believer – disciple others that they might disciple others.

Verse eight of chapter two introduces the thought of suffering, but also the believer’s proper response to it – walking with the Lord and continuing to do His work.

Fourteen to eighteen mention the false teaching that is still around and the results of that same false teaching – the misleading of people. However, those that are built on the foundation of Christ will succeed and be honored by their Lord (19-21). Good works and righteous living is the key to walking with Him (22-26).

In chapter three Paul moves to the fact that in the last times things will become quite corrupt and many sins will be rampant resulting in some falling by the way. He continues in verse ten to remind Timothy of Paul’s example in life and that persecution/suffering will come, but that if we live Godly, all will be as it should be.

Paul ends the chapter with that great passage relating to the importance of the Scripture and its inspiration. It is the key to all Godly living and is the key to preparing believers for good works.

Again in chapter four Paul gives Timothy a heavy charge to live Godly and to hold onto/teach sound doctrine. This is the basis of all Christian living/work. He continues on to share with his son in the Lord that he thinks his end is near and gives him some instructions concerning the near future.

He ends the book with greetings and a reminder of some that had caused him grief and asks Timothy to come to him for the stated purpose of bringing his cloak, books, parchments and Mark. The request of these items even in light of his coming death, pictures one that is busy about the Lord’s work right to the end of this life.

What a picture for the believer in this day. Withstand the false doctrine, withstand being persecuted and enduring suffering, withstand the falling away of those you’ve taught, withstand those that leave you, withstand all for Christ’s sake and continue to walk with Him in his ministry for you to the end of this life.

I was told of a young student asking a missionary what kind of retirement plan the mission offered. The old missionary thought for a moment and said, “Well they let you be buried by the mission station.” This is our calling – serve Him till he comes for you.

GENERAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

(Dating the books is approximate at best.)

MATTHEW

AUTHOR: Matthew WRITTEN TO: Jews relating Christ as the King of the Jews DATE: 50-60 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: North Israel or Syria

MARK

AUTHOR: Mark WRITTEN TO: Romans relating Christ as servant DATE: Some suggest 62-68 A.D. but likely earliest of the books. LOCATION OF WRITING: Rome

LUKE

AUTHOR: Luke WRITTEN TO: To Greeks relating Christ as the perfect Man. DATE: 60-64 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Caesarea

JOHN

AUTHOR: John WRITTEN TO: Hebrew Christians relating Christ as the Son Of God DATE: 85-90 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Antioch or Alexandria

ACTS

AUTHOR: Luke WRITTEN TO: Theophilus and interested believers DATE: 60-62 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Rome

ROMANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Christians at Rome DATE: 56 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Corinth

I CORINTHIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Christians at Corinth DATE: 56-57 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Ephesus

II CORINTHIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Christians at Corinth DATE: 57 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Macedonia

GALATIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Those in area of Galatia DATE: 55-56 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Ephesus

EPHESIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Church at Ephesus DATE: 62 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Prison at Rome

PHILIPPIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Church at Philippi DATE: 63-64 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Prison at Rome

COLOSSIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Church at Colossae DATE: 60-62 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Prison at Rome

I THESSALONIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Church at Thessalonica DATE: 51 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Corinth

II THESSALONIANS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: Church at Thessalonica DATE: 52 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Corinth

I TIMOTHY

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: To Timothy at Ephesus DATE: 64-66 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Macedonia

II TIMOTHY

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: To Timothy at Ephesus DATE: 67 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Prison at Rome

TITUS

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: To Titus at Crete DATE: 64-66 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Macedonia

PHILEMON

AUTHOR: Paul WRITTEN TO: To Philemon at Colossae DATE: 61-62 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Rome

HEBREWS

AUTHOR: Paul? Apollos? James? WRITTEN TO: DATE: 65-70 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Unknown

JAMES

AUTHOR: James WRITTEN TO: Scattered Jews DATE: 45-50 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Jerusalem

I PETER

AUTHOR: Peter WRITTEN TO: Scattered believers DATE: 63 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Babylon (Either Babylon or figurative of Rome )

II PETER

AUTHOR: Peter WRITTEN TO: Scattered believers DATE: 66 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Uncertain

I JOHN

AUTHOR: John WRITTEN TO: Churches in Asia Minor DATE: 90 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING:

II JOHN

AUTHOR: John WRITTEN TO: The church DATE: 90 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING:

III JOHN

AUTHOR: John WRITTEN TO: DATE: 90 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING:

JUDE

AUTHOR: Jude WRITTEN TO: Gaius DATE: 90 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING:

REVELATION

AUTHOR: John WRITTEN TO: Churches of Asia DATE: 96 A.D. LOCATION OF WRITING: Isle of Patmos

Index for II Timothy

Week 1. 2 Timothy 1:1-5

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS PRAISED

Week 2. 2 Timothy 1:6-12

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS CALLED

Week 3. 2 Timothy 1:13-18

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS GROUNDED (in doctrine and walk)

Week 4. 2 Timothy 2:1-7

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS COMMITTED (to discipleship)

Week 5. 2 Timothy 2:8-13

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS PERSECUTED

Week 6. 2 Timothy 2:14-19

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS APPROVED

Week 7. 2 Timothy 2:20-26

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS PREPARED

Week 8. 2 Timothy 3:1-7

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS SEPARATED

Week 9. 2 Timothy 3:8-13

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS EXAMPLED (Paul was Timothy’s example)

Week 10. 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Timothy 4:1-2

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS WORKED

Week 11. 2 Timothy 4:3-8

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS REWARDED

Week 12. 2 Timothy 4:9-15

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS EDUCATED

Week 13. 2 Timothy 4:16-22

A FAITHFUL SERVANT IS STRENGTH

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