Pauline Epistles 2 Samuel Amirtharaj

Historical Background of 2 Timothy

Author
The first verse of 2nd Timothy starts by saying, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of
God. The epistle identifies its author as Apostle Paul. But recently the critical scholars had disagreed
with pauline authorship, and most of the objections are already dealt with in the historical background
of 1 Timothy. There are sufficient evidences that helps us to believe that Apostle Paul is the author of
this Second epistle to Timothy.
The author identifies himself as appointed a preacher, apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles.1
This perfectly fits with Paul as he was chosen by God and anointed specifically to take the gospel to the
gentiles (Acts 9: 15). Of course, there were other preachers who took the gospel to the gentiles, but it
was apostle Paul who was the primary instrument that God chose.
The author accurately mentions that he faced persecutions in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (2
Timothy 3: 11). When we compare this with the available history in the book of Acts, we see that it was
Paul who was suffered persecution at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra.
Most of the church Father acknowledge pauline authorship even though the modern critical
scholars neglect it.2 And for more evidences, refer to Historical Background of 1 Timothy.

Audience
Paul addresses his letter Timothy and regarding whom he gives us few details. He says, his
grandmother was Lois, and his mother was Eunice.3 It was their teaching in scripture that helped
Timothy to grow in the word of God (2 Timothy 3: 15). Timothy's father was a Greek and his mother a
Jewess. From a child he had known the Scriptures. The piety that he saw in his home life was sound
and sensible. The faith of his mother and his grandmother in the sacred oracles was to him a constant
reminder of the blessing in doing God's will. The word of God was the rule by which these two godly
women had guided Timothy. The spiritual power of the lessons that he had received from them kept

1 2 Timothy 1: 11; 4: 17
2 https://bible.org/seriespage/16-2-timothy-introduction-argument-and-outline
3 2 Timothy 1: 5.

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him pure in speech and unsullied by the evil influences with which he was surrounded. Thus his home
instructors had co-operated with God in preparing him to bear burdens.4
For more regarding the relationship between Paul and Timothy, see Historical Background of 1
Timothy

Date
Paul writes that he in in bonds (2 Timothy 2: 9) and before he was going to face death (2
Timothy 4: 6 - 8). Certainly this is not the first imprisonment because in those letters he mentions that
he has plans to visit, but not so in this letter. Also, at the first imprisonment, he was at a house, but
history tells us that at his second imprisonment, he was at a jail cell, this makes sense because
Onesiphorus needed to search for Paul diligently to find him.5 Apostle Paul was put to death in Spring
of AD 68.And apostle Paul tells Timothy to come to him before winter, so then this must be around the
fall of AD 68. 6

Ellen White notes the following: Pauls Second Letter to TimothyThis letter was written to
Timotheus, the first bishop of the church at Ephesus, after Paul had been brought before Nero the
second time to witness with his life to the faith he held. In placing on record this account of his trials
through men who turned from the faith, Paul speaks words which should encourage our hearts as we
pass over the same ground (The Signs of the Times, July 18, 1907).7
It is known that after the great fire at Rome in a.d. 64, Nero persecuted Christians bitterly to
divert the suspicions of the people that he himself had burned the city (see Vol. VI, pp. 83, 84). It is not
unreasonable to think of Pauls second arrest, perhaps two years later, as a result of this persecution.
Peter was also taken into custody about this time and may have been in Rome during at least part of
the time of Pauls imprisonment (see AA 537).8

4 The Acts of the Apostles pg. 203. 2

5 2 Timothy 1: 16, 17.
6 http://www.centerpointbibleinstitute.com/classnotes/Second%20Timothy%20Class%20Notes.pdf
7 7 SDA Bible Commentary (EGW) Pg. 916. 1
8Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 7, pp. 323325).
Review and Herald Publishing Association.

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Occasion/Purpose in Writing
This is commonly called as the last epistle of apostle Paul. The reason is because he says he is at
bonds and that he is about to face a certain death. So, before he is about to face this persecution, he
decides to write a letter with final instructions. The postscript in the King James Bible tells us the
following, The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the
Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time. So, we could
conclude that Timothy would have been in Ephesus which is why Paul calls him unto himself.
There are few reasons why Paul writes these letters.
First of those, Paul reminds Timothy to be faithful to all the blessings that he has received from
his mother, and grandmother (Ch. 1: 5;3: 14), from the Holy Spirit (Ch. 1: 14), from Paul himself (Ch. 1:
13; 2: 1, 2). This idea runs throughout the book. It must have been important for Timothy to be
reminded of these things. This would reinforce the sense of mission in the life of Young Timothy.
Secondly, Paul also tells him to teach these things to other men also (2 Timothy 2: 2). As Paul
discipled Timothy, Timothy has to disciple others. That is why we see commands as, Preach the
word (2 Timothy 4: 2). He also tells to him how and how not to preach them (2 Timothy 2: 14 - 26),
and he also tells him of the dangers from different groups that he would face when he ventured on that
endeavor (2 Timothy 3: 1 - 5; 4: 1 - 5). And Paul, counsels Timothy to stay faithful to the word of God
and to preach it.
Finally, Paul tells timothy to come to him shortly (2 Timothy 4: 9). Paul wanted Timothy to come
and be with him before he was about to face his death. and he tells him to bring the books and
especially the parchments (2 Timothy 4: 13). As many of his other followers have deserted him, Paul
tells to Timothy that he wants to be with him.

Structure
Second Timothy follows the common epistolary structure.
Introduction - Ch. 1: 1 - 2,
Body - Ch. 1: 3 - 4: 18,
Conclusion - Ch. 4: 19 - 22

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Theme
The theme that I have chosen for this epistle is Preach the word and be faithful to the trust.
As mentioned above in the Occasion/purpose, this seems to be the reoccurring words:
5. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother
Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6. Wherefore I put thee in
remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 2
Timothy 1: 5, 6.
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 2
Timothy 1: 14
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
14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of
whom thou hast learned them; 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3: 14, 15.
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine. 2 Timothy 4: 2

Book overview
Because Paul was about to face the end of his life, he takes his time and opportunity to write to
Timothy, his young intern on mission, to fulfill his calling in preaching the gospel and to be faithful to.
He talks about different people and theory that he needed to face. This becomes a pastoral letter for us
to follow.

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