Compare and contrast the background matters of 1 Timothy to 2 Timothy. Include situations of writer and recipients, purpose, location, etc.
COMPARE: There are a number of similarities between 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy; for example, Paul establishes his apostleship in the first verse of both letters. In both letters, Paul also refers to Timothy as his spiritual child/son (1Ti 1:2, 2Ti 1:2, 2:1) and regards Timothy and himself as guardians of the truth (1Ti 6:20, 2Ti 1:14, 4:15). Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear conscience for each member of the church, for Timothy in the execution of his duties and in his walk with the Lord, and also in Paul’s own life (1Ti 1:5, 19, 3:9, 4:2, 2Ti 1:3). In his first letter, Paul encourages Timothy, who is somewhat timid and young, to “fight the good fight,” as Paul declares himself to have fought it in his second letter (1Ti 1:18, 6:12, 2Ti 4:7).
CONTRAST: Paul’s first letter to Timothy was written under very different circumstances than his second letter. The first letter, although written to Timothy, was directed more to the church at Ephesus. In that letter, Paul confronts the church concerning the very serious problem of false teaching and then lays out his comprehensive program for combating it. In 1Ti 3:14, Paul mentions that he plans to join Timothy at Ephesus. Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written directly to, and for the benefit of, Timothy and was of a more personal nature. Paul intends to encourage Timothy, who has pastored the church in Ephesus for some time now, to be faithful in his duties as the church’s senior elder. Paul is writing from prison and is facing death (2Ti 4:6) and is giving final instructions to Timothy who will carry on his work. 2 Timothy may, in a sense, be considered Paul’s last will and testament.
From 2 Timothy 1, what are the 4 ways that Paul attempted to kindle afresh God’s gift (2 Timothy 1:6) in Timothy?
Paul wanted to fan the flame of Timothy’s faith and commitment to serve to God. 1st – Paul refers to his own example as an apostle who was put into service by the will of God and thus must not falter in his duties. He also points out that his own conscience is clear regarding his service to God, as was that of his forefathers (2Ti 1:1, 3). 2nd – Paul appeals to his relationship with Timothy which is rooted in love, calling Timothy his “beloved son,” continually praying for him, expressing his longing for Timothy’s companionship, and even reminding Timothy that he has seen Timothy’s tears. (2Ti 1:2, 4). 3rd – Paul reminds Timothy of his godly heritage (2Ti 1:5), referring to Timothy’s mother, Eunice and his grandmother, Lois, who were faithful themselves and who taught him the Scriptures from infancy (2Ti 3:15). 4th – Paul also reminds Timothy that, in persevering, Timothy may rely upon and draw from the power (dunamis – from which we get dynamite), love (agape – the love of choice, unmotivated by merit) and discipline (sophonismos – self-control amid difficult circumstances) available to him through the Holy Spirit, stressing that he need not fear/be timid because he is not laboring alone, but is accompanied by the Paraclete.
According to 2 Timothy, what were titles that Paul expressed as part of his calling? Explain the significance of these titles related to his call.
Preacher – literally, a herald or barker (kerux). In Paul’s case, he is a proclaimer to the culture of the truth on behalf of the Sovereign Authority, God.
Apostle – sent forth, put into service, directly by Christ Himself as an ambassador to the Gentiles. Teacher – of the true doctrines of God according to the Great Commission, making disciples of all nations.
Referring back to 1 Timothy as well, explain the significance of being entrusted with a sacred deposit. Note scriptures, define the deposit and explain the ancient tradition.
Scriptures and Definitions: Paul was entrusted with the Gospel (1Ti 1:11). Paul entrusted Timothy with the command to “fight the good fight” in his service to God at Ephesus (1Ti 1:18). Timothy has been entrusted with the Gospel and with protecting it from the heretics, by resisting them and leading a godly life, having been instructed to “guard the deposit” (paratheke – a banking term describing funds placed on deposit) (1Ti 6:20). Paul entrusted Christ with the results of the work to which Paul was called (2Ti 1:12). Paul entrusts Timothy to carry on the work which Paul began, namely the proclamation, preservation and defense of the true Gospel of Christ, which cannot be done in his own power, but through the Holy Spirit (2Ti 1:14).
Ancient Tradition: In ancient culture, the term described a person being left with the safe-keeping of some treasured possession of another while the person was away. The one entrusted was being charged with a sacred and binding duty for the care, preservation and protection of the possession. The modern term, “fiduciary,” adequately conveys the idea. At the time, it was considered among the highest obligations or responsibilities in the society. The Old Testament law equated fiduciary failure to theft, robbery, extortion and swindle, and it required specific compensatory and punitive restitution, as well as, a special guilt offering/sacrifice (Lev 6:1-7)
What were the 3 word pictures of spiritual stamina from 2 Timothy 2 designed to motivate disciple makers? How did each example reveal particular values.
A Soldier – was not to concern himself with personal comfort, but should be devoted to the affairs of his commander. Timothy should be willing to endure hardship and not waver or become overly concerned about matters not related directly to his calling.
An Athlete – could only consider himself worthy of reward if he competed according to the rules and avoided disqualification. Paul underscores the value of the godly life in achieving what God has set before Timothy since no one can be successful in service to God who lives a displeasing and ungodly life. Some ancient games required athletes to train for nearly a year and to have good reputations in their communities as decent citizens.
A Farmer – is the first to reap the benefits of his labor. The steadfast, diligent and hardworking Timothy, who has farmed, cultivated, tilled, planted, watered, fertilized and harvested the fields of God in Ephesus will indeed be rewarded for his labor in eternity, his effort is not in vain.
Contrast the way God is primarily portrayed in 2 Timothy with that of 1 Timothy.
1 Timothy – God is represented as “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1Ti 1:17), and “God, who gives life to all things . . . He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (1Ti 6:13-17). God is the initiator of orders to Paul who, in turn, instructs Timothy, who then must war the good warfare on behalf of the Supreme Commander.
2 Timothy – God is the “Righteous Judge,” (2Ti 4:8) the one before whom we solemnly testify (diamartyromai – 2Ti 2:14, 4:1). God is the one who ultimately oversees and judges our service and our heart (2Ti 2:15). This representation of God as the one who approves efforts and motives began toward the end of 1 Timothy (5:21, 6:13).
Contrast (in an in-depth manner) the false teachers with the truth tellers.
False Teachers: wrangle about words (logomachein = execute violently), their teaching is not useful (chresimon), and it leads to the ruin (katastrophe) of their hearers and further ungodliness (asebia) (2Ti 2:14, 16, 3:5). Their teaching spreads like gangrene, killing the body by cutting off the supply of truth (blood being the metaphor) (2Ti 2:17). They go astray and upset the faith of believers (2Ti 2:18) and deny the power of the resurrection (2Ti 3:5).
Truth Tellers: show themselves to approved of God and unashamed, and they correctly discern and accurately teach (orthotomeo = cut a straight path to proper/orthodox doctrine) the Word of God (2Ti 2:15). The correct teaching of God’s Word leads to wisdom and salvation (2Ti 3:15), and it is edifying (Eph 4:29) and profitable/useful (ophelimos) (2Ti 3:16) to the hearer, whereas false teaching is harmful and is profitable for no good thing. Ironically, the aim of true doctrine is to advance godliness (eusebia) (1Ti 4:7-8); false teaching results in advancing (prokopsousi) ungodliness.
Contrast the two ways men are taken alive according to the New Testament. By what process did Paul instruct Timothy to lead someone out of Satan’s captivity?
In the biblical sense, being taken alive refers to being compelled into service by another. First, Christ referred to men being taken alive (zogreo) through repentance and conversion, committing themselves to Himself (Luke 5:10). Converts become captive to Christ and desire to do His will (being indwelt by the Holy Spirit). Second, Paul refers to men being taken alive (zogreo) by Satan through the deception of false teaching (2Ti 2:26), which results in their being kept from true knowledge and salvation, ultimately leading to their spending eternity separated from God. Such men desire to do the will of Satan (as they are devoid of the Holy Spirit). Paul’s antidote is that “the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses…” (2Ti 3:24-26). Essentially, Paul told Timothy to identify the false teaching, correct it and teach the truth of God’s Word, for by the power of the Spirit, it is the means of conviction, remorse, repentance and conversion.
Explain the value of Scripture according to 2 Timothy.
“and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” (2Ti 3:15-16).
Because God inspired all Scripture, it is absolute truth and is completely authoritative. Scripture imparts truth, which when correctly applied, becomes the wisdom that leads to conversion. After conversion, Scripture is the source of all expressed true doctrine, which may be used to confront false doctrine and correct it. In sanctification, Scripture is the means of conforming one to the image of Christ through instructing him in righteousness. False doctrine is either subversion or denial of true doctrine, and it offers none of the valuable benefits of true, scriptural doctrine.
Contrast Demas with Mark, utilizing not only 2 Timothy 4, but Colossians 4 and Acts 15. What was Paul’s self-evaluation at the point of writing 2 Timothy, while anticipating a pending death?
Demas was an early fellow laborer with Paul (Col 4:14, Phm 1:24), but later went to Thessalonica having deserted him because he “loved this present world” (2Ti 4:10).
John Mark, by contrast, deserted Paul early on at Pamphylia (Acts 15:38) after serving only briefly (Acts 12:25), but later rejoined him (2Ti 4:11). John Mark also wrote his Gospel according to Mark. Paul, on the other hand, was confident in the consistency and quality of his service to God declaring that “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (2Ti 4:6), which meant that he was giving everything he had to the cause of Christ, including his very life (the wine of the libation was a symbol of his life blood being sacrificially poured out on the fiery alter of service to God). He also stated that he had not wavered in his commitment, regardless of the many difficulties he encountered in his work for Christ (2Co 11:23-30), when he stated “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2Ti 4:7-8). Demas served well early, but deserted later. Mark deserted early, but served well later. Paul served faithfully throughout and ended well.
