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II Timothy Chapter 1

Memory verses for this week:  Psa 121:2  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. Psa 121:3  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 

Introduction:  In chapter 6 of I Timothy, we studied about the relationship between slaves and masters, and discussed how this holds true in employee/employer relationships today.  Paul spoke of how godliness with contentment was a great thing, and urged young Timothy to always teach accurate and sound doctrine.  We begin a study this week on the second letter that Paul wrote to Timothy. 

I.  The Salutation

2 Tim 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 Tim 1:2  To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I love how that Paul always immediately identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ.  We should be so bold in our daily walk to always want people to know that we are a child of the king and serve a risen Savior in Jesus Christ.   You can see how close Paul and Timothy were, as Paul calls him ‘my dearly beloved son.’   Most bible students that have done a lot of study in God’s Word think that Paul was never married.   While it appears to be accurate to me, I read recently where someone said that this verse proved that Paul was married, since Timothy was Paul’s son.   That is a far reach.   Timothy was saved under Paul’s ministry, and there was a close relationship between the two, but Timothy was not the blood son of Paul. 

II.  Paul’s Thoughts of Timothy

2 Tim 1:3  I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

2 Tim 1:4  Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

2 Tim 1:5  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.

Paul was truly grateful for what he saw in this young man.  He said that he prayed for him both night and day.  We see two great things about Paul in verse 3.  First off, he served God with a clear and pure conscience, and that he prayed constantly.   These are things that all of us should be known for doing.   As we read last week in our prior lesson, God’s desire is for us to serve him with pure hearts.  In verse 4, Paul expresses his desire to see this young man again, and remembers the tears they shed when they last parted.  This was perhaps the time when Paul had to leave Ephesus hurriedly.   And Paul remembered the faith that Timothy had, and it filled him with great joy.   Any of you here today that do not think you drastically mold the mind of your child or grandchild, note how that Timothy’s faith was built from his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois.   Our parents and grandparents have a lot to do with how we grow up and the values that we live by.  Timothy was blessed with a Godly mother and grandmother, and their efforts paid great dividends as Timothy grew up to be in the ministry with great faith towards God.

Prov 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

III. Stirring up the Gift in Timothy

2 Tim 1:6  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 Tim 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

It appears that when Timothy was ordained, a special gift was conferred on him at this time.   The gift appears to be the spirit of boldness and courage.   It says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind.  So many times we fear for the worst, when God is not about to let something bad happen to us.   And if bad times come, Satan can only go as far as God allows as we studied in last week’s doctrine lesson.   The Devil had many opportunities given to test Job, but each time, God set the boundaries that Satan could go.   I read something on a bumper sticker last week, and it is so true.  It said: “There is nothing that will come up today that Jesus and I can’t handle. “

1 Timothy 4:14  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

J. Vernon McGee had this to say about stirring up the gifts God had given Timothy.

When Paul put his hands on Timothy, that meant that Timothy was a partner with Paul; he shared with him the gift of teaching the Word of God. I am of the opinion that Paul intended for his mantle to fall upon Timothy. This young man was close to Paul, and when Paul was in prison in Rome, he said of Timothy, “… I have no man likeminded …” (Phil. 2:20). Here was a man who could carry on the teaching and preaching of Paul, and therefore Paul made him his partner. They were together in the ministry.

Now notice that Paul admonishes Timothy to “stir up the gift of God, which is in thee.” This man had a gift, and Paul urges him to stir it up. What would that indicate to you? I wonder if Paul was concerned about Timothy there in Ephesus. Ephesus housed the temple of Diana and was one of the great “sin spots” in the Roman world. Paul had spent three years in Ephesus himself, and he knew that there were many allurements and enticements in the city. I wonder if he was afraid that Timothy might be reluctant and hold back from teaching the whole counsel of God. We can see Paul’s concern for this young man whom he called “my dearly beloved son.” [1]

IV.  Be Not Ashamed of the Lord

2 Tim 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Many people who call themselves Christians are ashamed of Jesus Christ, and do not want to be identified with Him.   That always makes me wonder about a person’s true salvation.  When you look at what Jesus has done for us, we should be eager to tell others about what He has done for us.

Mat 10:32  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 10:33  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Paul was certainly proud to be identified with Jesus Christ, and called himself a prisoner of the Lord.  He was in prison due to his testimony of loving the Lord, but Paul never wavered.   He even spoke of that desire to come to know Jesus in a greater way, and to know the fellowship of His sufferings.

Phil 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Phil 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Phil 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Phil 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Matthew Henry said this about suffering for the cause of the Gospel.

We have no reason to be ashamed either of the testimony of our Lord or of his prisoners; if we are ashamed of either now, Christ will be ashamed of us hereafter. “But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God, that is, expect afflictions for the gospel’s sake, prepare for them, count upon them, be willing to take thy lot with the suffering saints in this world. Be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel;” or, as it may be read, Do thou suffer with the gospel; “not only sympathize with those who suffer for it, but be ready to suffer with them and suffer like them.” If at any time the gospel be in distress, he who hopes for life and salvation by it will be content to suffer with it. Observe, [1.] Then we are likely to bear afflictions as well, when we fetch strength and power from God to enable us to bear them: Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God. [2.] All Christians, but especially ministers, must expect afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the gospel. [3.] These shall be proportioned, according to the power of God (1 Cor. 10:13) resting upon us.

2 Tim 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2 Tim 1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

I praise God that salvation comes to us not by our works, but according to the purpose and grace of God.   In eternity past, God made a covenant with the Son to come and die for the sins of all mankind.  The decision for Jesus to shed His blood for mankind was put into place before Adam was ever created or a sin had been committed.   Verse 10 says that this purpose and grace were manifested by the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Cor 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Cor 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1 Cor 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

1 Cor 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

2 Tim 1:11  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

2 Tim 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul was given special authority from the Lord to deal with the Gentiles, and was known as the apostle unto the Gentiles.   He says in verse 11 that he was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.  I suppose that verse 12 is one of my favorite verses in the bible, probably in my top five.   Like Paul, I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that HE is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.  Thank God it is not I that keeps my salvation, but it is Jesus Christ.  Paul urges Timothy to look at his own example, and says that, amidst all his own trials, he had never seen occasion to be ashamed of the gospel. 

V.  Some Turned Away from Paul

2 Tim 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Tim 1:14  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Paul knew that some had turned away from the truth and he commands Timothy to hold fast that form of sound words which he had heard from him.   We should all as Christians be known as men and women that stand by true doctrine, even though not popular with the world.  I read in the paper yesterday that a certain group was preparing a bible that was going to take out all negative references to the Jews to be less offensive.   I would fear for my life if I set out to destroy God’s Word in order to become more socially acceptable.   We are warned in both the Old and New Testaments to not take away nor add to the word of God.

Deu 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Deu 12:32  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Verse 14 says that the Holy Ghost dwells in the believer and enables us to walk with God and to be well pleasing in His sight.

2 Tim 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

It says that all in Asia turned from Paul.   We should not be surprised when others don’t stay the course.  Even Peter, one of those who was dearly loved by Christ, turned from Jesus on that awful night when they come and took Jesus to be tried for the accusations made against him.  But all were false, but Peter denied Christ 3 times before the cock crew twice, and when it crew, Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him.

Mark 14:30  And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Mark 14:31  But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Mark 14:67  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

Mark 14:68  But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

Mark 14:69  And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

Mark 14:70  And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

Mark 14:71  But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

Mark 14:72  And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

VI.  One Who Was a Blessing to Paul

2 Tim 1:16  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

2 Tim 1:17  But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

2 Tim 1:18  The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Onesiphorus was a blessing to Paul and was one who had often refreshed Paul.    He was one who was not offended by the chains that tied Paul down in the Roman Jail.   Some might have tried to find Paul, and when it was difficult, they might have turned back.  But Onesiphorus kept seeking Paul in those Roman Prisons until he found him.   Paul asks that the Lord bless him special and give him mercy for all the wonderful things he did for him.   And believe me, God did bless Onesiphorus.    Many of the things we do for the Lord are blessed here and now in this life, but if not, we will receive a reward for them during that thousand year millennial reign of Jesus Christ one day.

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Prov 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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