1.

0 Introduction

The second epistle of Paul to Timothy is an epistle in which Paul has distinctively
explained various theological teachings about the life of a Christian, responsibilities of a
minister, characteristics of the word of God, etc. This letter is categorized as pastoral letter and it
is considered as an important epistle as it was written in the last days of Paul. Scholars like A. T.
Hanson argue that “the author of the Pastorals had no theology of his own. He is a purveyor of
other men’s theology.”1 But the letter to timothy seems to more of Paul’s own personal
instruction and teachings for his beloved son in faith. Thus, the writer here makes an attempt to
deal with the important teachings of Paul in the second epistle to Timothy and tries to understand
their importance in the life of present Christian minister.

1.1 Teachings on Second Epistle to Timothy

1.2 Teachings about Jesus Christ

Our Savior (1:10): Description of Christ Jesus as “our Savior” depicts the nature of Christ’s
incarnation as a saving intervention of God.2 Christ’s work of salvation is characterized by the
destruction of death. By His own death and resurrection, Christ has abolished the death. 3 This
salvation through Jesus is the central theme of the gospel.

The seed of David (2:8): According to the Pauline gospel Jesus, the seed of David

The Master (2:21): Paul introduces Jesus Christ as the Master, the ideal whom one seeks seek to
imitate.

The Lord Jesus Christ (4:1): Paul uses the title ‘LORD’ for Jesus with a special reason. This
usage is also seen in 2 Cor. 4:5. Paul applies the Old Testament texts about Yahweh to Jesus. He
is now the Lord and Master, and we are his servants or slaves. 4 Thus, it is a stunning assertion of

1
A. T. Hanson, Studies in the Pastoral Epistles (London: SPCK, 1968), 110.
2
Philip H. Towner, The Letter to Timothy and Titus (Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,
2006), 460.
3
Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Faithful, Its Always Too Soon to Quit: NT Commentary 1&2 Timothy, Titus and
Philemon (USA: David C. Cook, 2009), 106. (PDF)
4
Andreas J Köstenberger and Terry L. Wilder, eds., Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul’s Theology in the Pastoral
Epistles (Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2010), 199.
Paul that “Christ the subject of his preaching is none other than Yahweh of the Jewish
scriptures.”5

The righteous Judge (4:8): Paul states that the divine prerogative of eschatological judge is
given to Jesus and He is the righteous judge who gives crown of righteousness. 6 Jesus is the king
and Israel’s Messiah, who will come again, judge the world, and establish his kingdom for all to
see.

1.3 Qualities and Responsibilities of the Servant of God

1.3.1 Not ashamed of the Gospel (1:8): The confession of the gospel was accounted infamous;
and therefore Paul forbids that either ambition or the fear of disgrace shall prevent or retard
Timothy from the liberty of preaching the gospel.7 Timothy’s natural timidity might make it easy
for him to avoid circumstances that demanded witness and involved suffering.8 Timothy is
exhorted to take his share of the suffering for the Gospel in the power of God. 9 By nature, no one
enjoys suffering. But being a servant of God, one must not be ashamed of the gospel even if
there is suffering.

1.3.2 Loyal to the Faith (1:13):

1.3.3 An Approved Worker (2:15): The aim of all Paul’s charge and instruction to Timothy is
to ‘present himself to God as one approved’ (a word which implies approved after proving or
testing).10 “Christian faith is an apprenticeship by which one can progress toward greater mastery
of the art of living and The church is like a school of apprenticeship where the knowledge of past
generations is rediscovered and built upon”11 so that the servant of God can become an approved
worker.

1.3.4 Following the Word in all Times (3:10-15): For Paul it is usual to say Timothy regarding
how he should behave with others socially and do ministry along with maintaining the Biblical
5
Ivor Poobalan, “We Preach Jesus Christ [as] Lord,” Journal of the Colombo Theological Seminary, vol. XV
(2019): 57-80.
6
Andreas J Köstenberger…, 199-200.
7
John Calvin, Commentary on the Second Epistle to Timothy (), 16.
8
Warren W. Wiersbe…, 105.
9
Michael Prior, Paul The Letter Writer and the second letter to Timothy (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press,
1989), 63.
10
Frances Young, The Theology of the Pastoral Letters (Cambridge: University Press, 1994), 50.
11
Knute Larson, Holman New Testament Commentary; I&II Thessalonians, I&II Timothy, Titus and Philemon,
edited by Max Anders (Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 335.
spiritual standard in all times. 12 Written Word is one of the means God uses to convey the truth
and bring change. The Bible remains the inspired statements of God. 13 Thus a servant of God
must remain faithful to the word of God amidst of adverse situations.

1.3.5 Readiness to Preach the Word in all Seasons (4:2,3): The most important quality of a
servant of God is the readiness to preach the word in season and out of season. Conjuring up the
image of eschatological judgment and the impending arrival of the kingdom in order to lend
authority and urgency to the exhortations, Paul appeals to Timothy to preach the word. 14 The
earnestness must relate both to the pastor and to the people; to the pastor, that he may not devote
himself to the office of teaching merely at his own times and according to his own convenience,
but that, shrinking neither from toils nor from annoyances, he may exercise his faculties to the
utmost. 15 This is the clear and direct pattern of behavior Paul sets before Timothy that though the
time is coming when people will seek teachers to suit their own desires (4:3), Timothy the
servant of God is not to waver.16

1.4 Teachings on the life of the Believer

1.4.1 soldier (2:4)

1.4.2 athlete (2:5)

1.4.3 farmer (2:6)

1.4.4 student (2:15)

1.4.5 vessel (2:21)

1.4.5 servant (2:24)

1.5 Teachings about the Word of God

Its message is never in chains, though the messenger may be (2:9)

It is to be proclaimed (4:2)

12
Alem P. Sangtam, “Paul’s Principles of Tentmaking,” Mission Intelligence: A Journal of ICRO 21 (April –
June, 2015): 42-76.
13
Knute Larson…, 336.
14
James W. Aageson, Paul, the Pastoral Epistles and the Early Churches (Michigan: Baker Academics, 2008), 62.
15
John Calvin…, 69.
16
James W. Aageson…, 63.
It is to be studied (2:15a)

It is to be correctly interpreted (2:15b)

It has been personally given by God (3:16a)

It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (3:16b)

It will perfect the believer’s character and service for God (3:17)

It is to be passed on to others (2:2)

It will be abandoned and opposed by its enemies in the last days (3:7, 8; 4:3, 4)

1.6 Teachings about the Last Days (3: 1-9)

1.7 Reflections

1.8 Conclusion

Bibliography

Articles

Sangtam, Alem P. “Paul’s Principles of Tentmaking.” Mission Intelligence: A Journal of ICRO

21 (April – June, 2015): 42-76.

Poobalan, Ivor. “We Preach Jesus Christ [as] Lord.” Journal of the Colombo Theological
Seminary, vol. XV (2019): 57-80.

Books