It was three years later (A.D. 67), and Paul was sitting in a cold, damp dungeon, lonely and awaiting the surety of death. Just three years before he had experienced the joy of release and the pleasure of serving the Lord once again, but now he experienced the sorrow of imprisonment and a coming execution. As he sat destitute and near death Paul remembered his most loyal and trustworthy companion, a young preacher named Timothy, and once again picked up the pen to write to him one last time. Before, in his first epistle Paul offered Timothy timeless words of advice about how to proceed in his work as a preacher. Now, in his second epistle to Timothy and the last of his life, Paul offers to Timothy the encouragement he would need as he embarked upon the greatest work in all the world, the preaching of the gospel.
Paul’s passion was preaching. Throughout his life he had dedicated himself at all times to serving God, previously misguided, but since time in complete faithfulness. When he first heard and obeyed the gospel, his immediate reaction was to personally begin preaching it himself (Acts 9:19ff). Since that time his dedication was to God and the proclamation of His word, even amidst the most formidable of foes. He faced the highs of joy and the lows of sorrow; but through it all he knew one thing—the gospel must continue to be preached. His days were short, for he had but a very little time before he would face his execution. Thus he called upon his trusted friend, his son in the gospel, and his protégé to keep up the great fight against sin, to preach the word.
We all need a pat on the back and a word to pick us up every now and then, but these final words Paul penned to young Timothy epitomize what should be the will and desire of every child of God. And it is thus through each chapter that Paul relates great words of Christian encouragement to young Timothy with all of the expectation in the world that the work would be done, souls would be saved, and God would be glorified.
First, in chapter one, Paul begins by expressing his feelings of pride in young Timothy for his work’s sake. He recalled with great joy and thanksgiving his association with him and his desire to see him one last time in this life. Paul, no doubt, shed tears of joy as he remembered meeting Timothy when he was only a boy who had been taught the scriptures and had been encouraged in the faith by Lois and Eunice, his grandmother and mother. They had reared him to have unfeigned faith, and it is upon that faith that Paul calls young Timothy to serve God unashamedly. The fullness of Paul’s plea to him seems to be summarized in verse thirteen, where Paul begged him to, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” Implied is the fact that already there were unsound words being proclaimed both near and far. Paul’s hope was that Timothy would always tightly cling to the truth and preach it to all the world.
Second, in chapter two, Paul goes on to invoke not only a dedication to the faith in Timothy, but likewise a strength. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (vs. 1). Paul recognized that not only would Timothy need unfeigned faith, but unswerving dedication to stand face to face with evil and not budge an inch. As much as could anybody, Paul understood the dangers that accompanied the preaching of the gospel, but even facing death he recognized the blessings to far outweigh any threats that he faced. He recognized that the cause he served and the word he preached was greater far than himself, and thus expounded: “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (vs. 13). Thus did Paul encourage Timothy to flee temptation and follow after righteousness as a faithful and strong servant of God.
Third, in chapter three, Paul warns Timothy of perilous times that would come. These perilous times would be evidenced by widespread apostasy and an increase in ungodliness. A simple plea followed: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of…” (vs. 14). From a young age Timothy had been taught the scriptures which were inspired of God, and Paul reiterates to him the power of those inspired words that can perfect a man and furnish him throughly unto all good works (vs. 16-17). Timothy knew the truth, and there was no need or benefit in forsaking that truth for the “pleasures” of the world.
Then, fourth, in chapter four, Paul gives Timothy a final charge that is epitomized in three words: PREACH THE WORD. Many would not listen, but Paul said preach it anyway. As one who spoke from experience, Paul’s seasoned advice was, “…watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (vs. 5). Paul had done just that and was sitting in a Roman prison awaiting death, BUT his soul was ready to meet his Lord. No greater blessing can be enjoyed than the assurance of hope after awhile.
The book of II Timothy allows you to experience every emotion from joy to sorrow, but all the while encourages you to fight the same good fight, finish the same course, and keep the same faith, looking forward to the same crown of righteousness that can be bestowed on us in the last day. Read it with joy, read it with sorrow, but read it with hope; and thereby is the blessing of God.