Frameworks:
2 Timothy 1
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a simple comment of what is
happening)
[Note:
Because it is sometimes difficult to follow the flow
of a letter like this, we have added a synopsis of each chapter
& passage to help clarify where Paul is going with his writing.]
Why
Read 2 Timothy:
It is a book of challenge in the context of apostolic encouragement.
First (Ch.1) in a family context remembered in prayer, then in
a reminder of the God-given gifting Timothy has. The challenge
there is that we will have been gifted but we need to stir up
that gifting and hold on to it, even if times seem tough. Opposition
is to be resisted (Ch.2) and we need to work to be always available
to the Lord to exercise the gifting He has given us. The same
is true of persecution (ch.3) and final chapter 4 gives us a rare
insight into the personal upheavals that even someone like Paul
encounters in this battle for the kingdom. Yes, a reminder of
spiritual warfare that even impacts on personal relationships.
The oversall call is to persevere in the face of all these things.
[Chapter
1 Synopsis: Encouragement for Timothy through Paul praying
for him, and an exhortation to stir up his gift and hold onto
the gospel]
v.1-2
Greetings
v.3-5
Paul praying for Timothy
v.6-14
Appeal to Adhere to his Calling
v.15-18
Contrasting Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty
v.1-2
Greetings
v.1
(Paul the apostle
called by God) Paul, an apostle
of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise
of life that is in Christ Jesus,
v.2
(to his young
protégé Timothy) To
Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
v.3-5
Paul praying for Timothy
[Passage
Synopsis: praying for Timothy is a joyful experience as he remembers
him and his family]
v.3
(he thanks
God for Timothy whenever he prays) I
thank God , whom I serve,
as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day
I constantly remember you in my prayers.
v.4
(he remembers
all about him joyfully) Recalling
your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
v.5
(he remembers
his godly family) I am reminded
of your sincere faith,
which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother
Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
v.6-14
Appeal to Adhere to his Calling
[Passage
Synopsis: boldly fire up God's gift in you, even though suffering,
that's the gospel from the beginning of creation, so hold on to
the gospel, guard it with the Spirit's help]
v.6
(so stir up
God's gift in you) For this
reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is
in you through the laying on of my hands.
v.7
(the Spirit
wants you bold) For the Spirit
God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and
self-discipline.
v.8
( … and not
ashamed) So do not be ashamed
of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather,
join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
v.9,10
(according to
His own plan from before the world began, now revealed in Jesus,
we are called to holy living) He
has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything
we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace
was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but
it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour,
Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel.
v.11
(this is the
gospel I was given) And of this
gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
v.12
(which is why
I'm suffering as I am but He will keep me) That
is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,
because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he
is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
v.13
(so what I shared
with you, hold on to) What you
heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith
and love in Christ Jesus.
v.14
(hold on to
it with the help of the Spirit) Guard
the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help
of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
v.15-18
Contrasting Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty
[Passage
Synopsis: most left me in Asia, but not Onesiphorus]
v.15
(you know I
was abandoned) You know that
everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus
and Hermogenes.
v.16-18 (though
not by all) May the Lord show
mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed
me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he
was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May
the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!
You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
(CONTINUE
to CHAPTER 2)