2 Timothy 1:1-17
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who 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, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— (2 Timothy 1:1-17 ESV)
Notes for Chapter 1
1.
Ancient letters were written similar to modern day business memos. At the “front” is the “To” and the “From,” but in lieu of the date was some kind of greeting (similar to the “dear” in modern letters) but often quite elaborate and “flowery”. Often, there was something that indicated the authority or capacity of the writer – giving the letter appropriate “weight.” This is more than a simple informal personal letter or likely Paul would have written, “From Paul – your friend.” Because he writes, “an Apostle of Jesus Christ” he means for it to have some weight.
2.
“Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” is Paul’s usual blessing – varying only slightly. Grace, mercy and peace – are in a theological order. First God gives us His undeserved, unmerited love and favor. His mercy flows from that. And peace results – both objective (we ARE reconciled with God) and perhaps subjective (we feel this, and extend it in our relationships with others).
1:3-7
1.
See Philippians 1:3-4. Whether it is Paul’s theology or simply his wise psychology, Paul always beings his communications with PRAISE and THANKSGIVING. What can WE learn from that? Paul also constantly PRAYS for people – and tells them so. What can we learn there? How does that change our relationship to them, from our perspective (and perhaps theirs as they are aware of it)?
2.
What’s being conveyed in verse 4? What can we learn there?
3.
Verse 5. Timothy’s mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) are otherwise entirely unknown, but their names have been recorded by the Holy Spirit in His Scripture for all time – for a very good, very praiseworthy reason: They shared faith with their children. Acts 16:1 indicates that Eunice was a Christian convert from Judaism; so SOME theorize by this praise that Lois converted first, brought the Gospel to her daughter, Eunice who also became a Christian, and that Eunice then brought Timothy to faith. Since Paul seems to be speaking of one faith here – that’s very possible. But some suggest that Paul isn’t speaking SPECIFICALLY of distinctively Christian faith but is simply noting that these mothers brought up their children “in the faith” and thus blessed them; Timothy is now a man of sincere, great faith because his mother taught and modeled such – as did her mother. Either way, Paul is praising parents and noting their importance is bringing up children of faith. Some have said that “faith is more taught than caught” and looking at faith – there seems some truth in that. While it IS possible for people to come to faith IN SPITE OF their parents (happens much more now than before), it is still true that the GREAT majority of Christians were raised as such in Christian homes. The reverse also is largely true. Paul is praising how parents give their children the greatest gift of all, the greatest blessing of all: faith. What does this say to parents today? To those who insist, “I’ll let them choose if they want to believe or not?”
4.
Timothy has his mother and grandmother to thank. Who do YOU have to thank?
5.
Verses 6-7. The “gift” Paul alludes to here is his office as a pastor. This comes from God and is conveyed by ordination (“the laying on of hands). The exercise of this office is not to be marked by “timidity” but by power and love, accompanied by self-discipline. What’s the difference between “timidity” and humility? Do “with power” and “with love” contradict each other? Why is ‘self-discipline” so important here?
1:8-12
1.
Verse 8. OUR “suffering” does NOT save us; we are saved by CHRIST’S suffering for us on the Cross; we don’t contribute or add anything (including our suffering) to Christ’s work to somehow finish it or validate or complete it. However, a point made in several Scriptures, OUR suffering (and more to the point, how we handle that) can be a powerful testimony to others, and a great opportunity for God to convey faith to others. It is not a tool for OUR salvation but God may use it as a tool for that of OTHERS.
2.
Verse 9a. Two DIFFERENT things here: 1) GOD saved us (justification). 2) GOD calls us to grow in love and morality. BOTH because of His love for us. Don’t confuse the two!
3.
Verse 9b – 10. “Grace” is GOD’S unmerited, undeserved, love and favor. It flows from God as a free GIFT. [Beware: Catholics use the word all the time but define it as, “the gas God puts in your tank so you can get where God tells you to get.” Note the nearly opposite meanings] . Grace is “GIVEN” to us, Paul insists, in view of Jesus Christ. But it was “given” before the beginning of time. “Time” is always a difficult issue in theology since “time” doesn’t apply to God at all, but in the Bible, “time” is always mean from OUR perspective (as creatures governed by time and in time), so this could mean “Before Creation, God’s grace existed.” Before Creation, God already knew us and LOVED us. Before Creation, God already knew about the Fall, already knew about the Cross, already readied our gift of faith. What’s “cool” about that? What comfort is there in that? What does that say about our EARNING grace?
4.
Verse 10. But nowhere is grace more evident than in Christ: where Law and Gospel “meet,” where justice and mercy “meet.” Get down on your knees, at the foot of the Cross, if tears permit, see Jesus; hear His words, “Father, FORGIVE them….” We then begin to understand grace….
5.
Verse 11. Paul says it is because of this grace, in view of this grace, as a consequence of this grace that he is a “herald” of Gospel – as an Apostle and as a teacher. It’s the reason for our ministry, too – whatever that may be.
1:13-18
1.
Verses 13-14. Timothy is commanded to be “faithful to the Message.” He is directed to what Paul taught him (we can’t delete Paul and insert me or my denomination here!). We should remember what Jesus and the Apostles taught – that good deposit of faith in Christ. Where do we find their teachings? We are to “GUARD” that Message with the power of the Holy Spirit. Because….. people, the world, the devil will do all they can to mess it up! Really mess it up!
2.
Verse 15. Probably hyperbole, but Paul may have FELT like that! Timothy was in Ephesus – the capitol of the Roman Province of Asia in very western modern day Turkey. Nothing in Scripture, tradition or history is known of the two men specifically mentioned here.
3.
Verses 16-18. See 4:19. Nothing more is known of this man.
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