" And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2nd Timothy 2:2)
In this final letter before his death in AD 66-67, Paul wrote again to Timothy to encourage him to remain faithful to Christ. It is more intimate than his first letter, with more personal references and advice. Paul urges Timothy to continue to preach the gospel and maintain sound doctrine, despite any trials. He speaks of his own suffering and how through his persecution the Lord stood by him and strengthened him - even though men had abandoned him. He tells Timothy, "Do not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God" (2nd Timothy 1:8). Paul warns Timothy not to "strive about words to no profit" and to "shun profane and idle babblings" because it results in "the ruin of the hearers" (2nd Timothy 2:14,16).
Paul also briefly describes the last days: "Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money ... unloving, unforgiving ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of Godliness but denying its power" (2nd Timothy 3:2-5). He warns Timothy that people will gather around themselves teachers willing to say whatever suits their audience's desires. Paul therefore gives Timothy this charge: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2nd Timothy 4:2). Paul wrote this letter from a dank Roman prison, and he knew that his execution, approved by Emperor Nero, was approaching: "I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2nd Timothy 4:6). Still he expressed the confidence that "the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for this heavenly kingdom" (2nd Timothy 4:18). Even as the hour of our own death approaches, we can have the same hope.
Paul also briefly describes the last days: "Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money ... unloving, unforgiving ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of Godliness but denying its power" (2nd Timothy 3:2-5). He warns Timothy that people will gather around themselves teachers willing to say whatever suits their audience's desires. Paul therefore gives Timothy this charge: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2nd Timothy 4:2). Paul wrote this letter from a dank Roman prison, and he knew that his execution, approved by Emperor Nero, was approaching: "I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2nd Timothy 4:6). Still he expressed the confidence that "the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for this heavenly kingdom" (2nd Timothy 4:18). Even as the hour of our own death approaches, we can have the same hope.
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