*2 Timothy 1:1-18
Paul reminds Timothy of his spiritual heritage, encourages him to be faithful in ministry despite opposition, and instructs him to guard the truth.
- Greetings and Thanksgiving:
- Paul begins his letter by identifying himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and he addresses Timothy as his beloved child.
- He expresses gratitude for Timothy’s sincere faith, which he first observed in Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.
- Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God, which he received through the laying on of Paul’s hands.
- Exhortation to Boldness:
- Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given him a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
- He encourages Timothy to embrace this spirit and to boldly proclaim the gospel, despite any challenges or opposition he may face.
- The Gospel and Suffering:
- Paul urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of Paul, who is imprisoned for the sake of the gospel.
- He reminds Timothy that God has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
- Paul emphasizes that suffering for the gospel is part of this calling, but it is not cause for shame, as God is able to guard what has been entrusted to us until the day of Christ Jesus.
- Hold Fast to Sound Teaching:
- Paul instructs Timothy to hold fast to the pattern of sound teaching that he has heard from Paul, in faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
- He urges Timothy to guard the good deposit entrusted to him with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within him.
- Examples of Faithfulness:
- Paul mentions that many in Asia turned away from him, including Phygelus and Hermogenes, but also highlights the loyalty of Onesiphorus, who frequently refreshed Paul and was not ashamed of his chains.
- Paul prays for mercy for Onesiphorus’ household and for him to find mercy from the Lord on that day.
2 Timothy 1:1-18 encourages us to be bold in our faith and not be afraid to share God’s truth. Paul reminds Timothy that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control, not fear. Even when facing challenges, we can trust that God is with us. We can apply this by standing firm in our beliefs, sharing God’s love with confidence, and relying on His strength when we feel weak or discouraged.
2 Timothy 1:1-18 (WEB)
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3 I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day 4 longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, in you also.6 For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 8 Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News. 11 For this I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this cause I also suffer these things.Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.13 Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.15 This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, 17 but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me 18 (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.