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[Timothy,] this is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you (2 Timothy 1:6, NLT).
In 2 Timothy the Apostle Paul writes to his disciple Timothy. It’s the last letter that He writes in the New Testament.
Through the years while reading 2 Timothy, I’ve found it unusual that Paul’s last epistle would be personal and pastoral. The Apostle John went big in his last book with the Book of Revelation. If I was Paul’s editor, I would have said, “Brother Paul, look how popular John’s Revelation has become. This apocryphal stuff sells well. You’ve been in the third heaven! Let’s outdo John with a book entitled A Third Heaven Elegy**.”
And this is probably why God ordained my birth in AD 1953 instead of AD 67 (when 2 Timothy was written).
My favorite Bible professor once told me, “Grant, as you become a pastor, study 2 Timothy to find out what Paul says to Timothy about a successful ministry.”
I did, beginning, and hopefully maintaining, this lesson in my preaching.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
Though 2 Timothy was written in the first century, there is an end-days thread in the book that lends relevancy today. . .
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money … consider nothing sacred … be unloving and unforgiving … have no self-control … betray their friends … hate what is good … and be religious with no power (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
In AD 67, the book is prophetic preparation for the first upcoming empire-wide persecution of the church by Emperor Nero in AD 70. Paul writes to Timothy in the first century church, and to the last century church (those living now).
If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:12-13a).
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Timothy 3:16. . .
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
After reading what Paul says to Timothy about the Word of God, we should shout, “Amen!”
Paul’s last letter, not a theological tome like Romans, or a grandiose vision of the end times like Revelation, but a simple and straightforward letter to a disciple! In this context —teacher to student and friend to friend — Paul shares his personal eulogy.
My life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:6-8a).
I love 2 Timothy. What a way to end a writing career and life!
*OG stands for Old Guy.
** I hope you caught the interplay of the word “elegy” as another famous person in the news wrote a book with this word in the title. Do you know the name of this person?