1 “Second Timothy” Lesson 1 Introduction to Second Timothy Greeting Workbook by Reg Ginn Pages 1-7 Lesson 1 Introduction to Second Timothy Greeting Workbook

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““Second Timothy”Second Timothy”““Second Timothy”Second Timothy”

Lesson 1Lesson 1

Introduction to Second TimothyIntroduction to Second Timothy

GreetingGreetingWorkbook by Reg GinnWorkbook by Reg Ginn

Pages 1-7Pages 1-7

Lesson 1Lesson 1

Introduction to Second TimothyIntroduction to Second Timothy

GreetingGreetingWorkbook by Reg GinnWorkbook by Reg Ginn

Pages 1-7Pages 1-7

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The History:The History:

Paul preaches in Lystra and Derbe on first Paul preaches in Lystra and Derbe on first missionary journey (Acts 14:6,7)missionary journey (Acts 14:6,7)

He was driven out of Iconium (Acts 13:50) and He was driven out of Iconium (Acts 13:50) and was stoned and left for dead at Lystra (Acts was stoned and left for dead at Lystra (Acts 14:19)14:19)

Paul comes to Lystra and Derbe in Acts 16:1 and Paul comes to Lystra and Derbe in Acts 16:1 and finds Timothy already a disciple, well reported of finds Timothy already a disciple, well reported of good worksgood works

Timothy was circumcised because of the Jews Timothy was circumcised because of the Jews (Acts 16:1-3)(Acts 16:1-3)

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Timothy joins Paul in Athens when he was sent to Timothy joins Paul in Athens when he was sent to Thessalonica (1Thess. 3:1, 2)Thessalonica (1Thess. 3:1, 2)

He was with Paul in Corinth coming from He was with Paul in Corinth coming from Macedonia (Acts 18:5)Macedonia (Acts 18:5)

Timothy is mentioned in the salutation of both of Timothy is mentioned in the salutation of both of the letters to the Thessaloniansthe letters to the Thessalonians

He was with Paul on the third missionary journey, He was with Paul on the third missionary journey, was present at Ephesus, and went into was present at Ephesus, and went into Macedonia (1Cor. 16:10; Acts 19:22)Macedonia (1Cor. 16:10; Acts 19:22)

Timothy was included in Paul’s letter to the Timothy was included in Paul’s letter to the Romans (Rom. 16:21)Romans (Rom. 16:21)

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Timothy was one of those who went with Paul to Timothy was one of those who went with Paul to Jerusalem with the contribution for the poor saints Jerusalem with the contribution for the poor saints (Acts 20:4)(Acts 20:4)

He shared some of the time with Paul in his He shared some of the time with Paul in his Roman imprisonment since he is mentioned in Roman imprisonment since he is mentioned in Paul’s letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Paul’s letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and PhilemonPhilemon

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The Greeting:The Greeting:

Paul wrote two letters “to Timothy, my own son in Paul wrote two letters “to Timothy, my own son in the faith” (1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2)the faith” (1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2)

Paul also said Timothy was “…as a son with his Paul also said Timothy was “…as a son with his father, he has served with me in the gospel” (Phil. father, he has served with me in the gospel” (Phil. 2:22)2:22)

Paul was an apostle by the commandment of God Paul was an apostle by the commandment of God and of Christ (2Tim. 1:1)and of Christ (2Tim. 1:1)

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The Circumstances:The Circumstances:

Paul wrote both First and Second Timothy while in Paul wrote both First and Second Timothy while in prisonprison

Both letters were written to the “young” preacher Both letters were written to the “young” preacher TimothyTimothy

The question arises: Was this letter written during The question arises: Was this letter written during his first and only imprisonment in Rome, or during his first and only imprisonment in Rome, or during a second imprisonment which is not recorded in a second imprisonment which is not recorded in Acts?Acts?

This question does not affect our study of the This question does not affect our study of the letter itself but deserves further study.letter itself but deserves further study.

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Some scholars conclude that both were written Some scholars conclude that both were written during Paul’s first imprisonment:during Paul’s first imprisonment:– With no mention in Acts, there was not a secondWith no mention in Acts, there was not a second– Timothy was still “young” (indicating a short period Timothy was still “young” (indicating a short period

between the two letters)between the two letters)– No one stood with Paul at first but later some returned No one stood with Paul at first but later some returned

to him as he wrote the second letter to Timothyto him as he wrote the second letter to Timothy

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Some scholars conclude that this letter was Some scholars conclude that this letter was written during Paul’s second imprisonment:written during Paul’s second imprisonment:– Paul had an entirely different outlook about his release Paul had an entirely different outlook about his release

in the second letterin the second letter– In the first imprisonment, several offered him comfort In the first imprisonment, several offered him comfort

and assistance. In the second, those individuals are and assistance. In the second, those individuals are missing (first hearing at his second imprisonment)missing (first hearing at his second imprisonment)

– Timothy and Mark was with Paul when Colossians was Timothy and Mark was with Paul when Colossians was written; now Timothy is in Ephesus and Mark was not in written; now Timothy is in Ephesus and Mark was not in Rome.Rome.

– Demas was with Paul but now he had forsaken Paul Demas was with Paul but now he had forsaken Paul and gone to Thessalonicaand gone to Thessalonica

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Some scholars conclude that this letter was Some scholars conclude that this letter was written during Paul’s second imprisonment:written during Paul’s second imprisonment:– All, except Luke, had deserted him by nowAll, except Luke, had deserted him by now– Erastus stayed in Corinth (another trip Paul made to Erastus stayed in Corinth (another trip Paul made to

Corinth)Corinth)– Trophimus left sick in Miletus (another trip Paul made to Trophimus left sick in Miletus (another trip Paul made to

Miletus)Miletus)– Paul left books and a cloak in Troas (a few years since Paul left books and a cloak in Troas (a few years since

Paul was in Troas so another visit is probable)Paul was in Troas so another visit is probable)– Early secular writers affirm that Paul was released and Early secular writers affirm that Paul was released and

returned to Rome a second timereturned to Rome a second time– Paul felt his life was short in this letter Paul felt his life was short in this letter

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The Place:The Place:

So Paul was in imprisoned Rome So Paul was in imprisoned Rome

Timothy was still in Ephesus teaching and Timothy was still in Ephesus teaching and defending the pure gospeldefending the pure gospel

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The Time:The Time:

It is generally thought that Paul was executed in It is generally thought that Paul was executed in 67 or 68 A.D.67 or 68 A.D.

Paul said his departure was “at hand”Paul said his departure was “at hand”

His death may have been part of the cover-up of His death may have been part of the cover-up of the fire in Rome which Nero started yet blamed the fire in Rome which Nero started yet blamed Christians Christians

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The Imprisonment:The Imprisonment:

Luke's account of Paul’s work ended after Paul Luke's account of Paul’s work ended after Paul had been imprisoned for two whole years (Acts had been imprisoned for two whole years (Acts 25:30)25:30)

It is speculated that Paul returned to the island of It is speculated that Paul returned to the island of Crete at Titus’ request when he learned of the Crete at Titus’ request when he learned of the persecutions of the Christians in Rome (Titus 1:5)persecutions of the Christians in Rome (Titus 1:5)

Paul wanted Titus to come to him in Nicopolis Paul wanted Titus to come to him in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12)(Titus 3:12)

Then, he was arrested a second time by the Then, he was arrested a second time by the Roman authorities because he became active in Roman authorities because he became active in support of the Christians theresupport of the Christians there

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The Purpose:The Purpose:

Paul’s urgent request for Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, hopefully “before winter” (2Tim. 4:21)

He wanted Timothy to bring Mark with him (2Tim. 4:11)

Only Luke was with him when he wrote the second letter

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The Significance:The Significance:

This was the last recorded message of the apostle This was the last recorded message of the apostle Paul before his deathPaul before his death

To a young minister of the gospel, this epistle is To a young minister of the gospel, this epistle is invaluableinvaluable

Paul selected topics that lie nearest his heart, and Paul selected topics that lie nearest his heart, and that he deems most importantthat he deems most important

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The Theme:The Theme:

Second Timothy is a highly personal letterSecond Timothy is a highly personal letter

Even though Paul wanted Timothy to come to him Even though Paul wanted Timothy to come to him immediately, Timothy had things to do in Ephesus immediately, Timothy had things to do in Ephesus for the church and with little time to do themfor the church and with little time to do them

Paul offered comfort and encouragement to help Paul offered comfort and encouragement to help the young preacher meet his responsibilities in the the young preacher meet his responsibilities in the gospelgospel

If Paul was executed before Timothy arrives, If Paul was executed before Timothy arrives, these will be the these will be the last wordslast words to Timothy to Timothy

These will be the “FAMOUS LAST WORDS” of These will be the “FAMOUS LAST WORDS” of PaulPaul

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The Outline:The Outline:“FAMOUS LAST WORDS”

Chapter One

I. Greeting--1:1,2

II. Remembering Timothy--1:3-5

III. “Stir up...”--1:6,7

IV. “Share...”--1:8-12 A. Suffering for gospel--1:8,12

B. God’s purpose--1:9-11

V. “Hold fast...”--13-18 A. Sound words--1:13,14

B. With others’ help--1:15-18

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The Outline:The Outline:

“FAMOUS LAST WORDS”

Chapter Two

I. “Be strong...”--2:1,2 A “Endure...”--2:3-8 B. Paul’s example of enduring--2:9,10

C. Basic truths about enduring--2:11-13

II. “Present..”--2:15 A. “Remind...”--2:14

B. “Shun and Avoid...”--2:16-18; 23,24

C. “Depart...”--2:19-21

D. “Flee..” --2:22

E. “Correct...”--2:25,26

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Chapter Three

I. “Know...”--3:1-9 A. Perilous times--3:1-8

B. Folly will be manifest--3:9

II. “Follow...”--3:10-17 A. Paul’s example--3:10-13

B. Paul’s teaching--3:14

C. Timothy’s early training--3:15-17

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Chapter Four

I. “Preach...”--4:1-8 A. The word--4:1.2

B. Filling a need--4:3.4

II. “Filfill...” 4:5

III. “Come...” 4:6-16 A. When--4:9, (21)

B. Why--4:6-8, 10-16

1. Paul’s demise--6-8

2. Paul’s isolation--10-16

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Chapter Four

IV. “[The Lord] Stood...”--4:17,18 A. For “full” preaching--4:17a

B. For Gentile hearing--4:17b

C. For future deliverance--4:18

V. Closing--4:19-22 A. Personal remarks--4:19-21

B. Farewell--4:22

Documents

1 “Second Timothy” Lesson 1 Introduction to Second Timothy Greeting Workbook by Reg Ginn Pages 1-7 Lesson 1 Introduction to Second Timothy Greeting Workbook