Author

The apostle Paul wrote the book of Second Timothy (1:1).

To Whom Written

He wrote to his son in the faith, the evangelist Timothy (1:2)

When and Where Written

Apparently, after writing First Timothy, Paul was in Nicopolis, on the border between Macedonia and Thrace (Titus 3:12). Nero was then Emperor, and Christians, particularly around Rome, were being severely persecuted. Paul left Nicopolis for Troas, where Carpus was his host (4:13). It seems that he was arrested there and taken to Rome in such haste that he had to leave his cloak, books, and parchments behind (Ibid).

Now the conditions for the old soldier of the cross have changed markedly worse. In his first imprisonment, he had his own hired house and received visitors at will (Acts 28:30-31). Now he is in prison with only Luke the beloved physician with him (4:11). No one dared stand with him when he appeared in court (4:16). Some have forsaken him; others are gone to duties elsewhere (4:10-12). He faces the miserable prospect of winter in a cold prison with no cloak (4:13,21). Then he was accused by the Jews of being a troublemaker (Acts 24:5-6); now he is accused by Nero of being an enemy of the state. Then he confidently expected release (Philippians 1:25; Philemon 22); now he is resigned to a violent death (4:6).

The aged apostle, knowing his own death is near, fearful for the future of the church (3:1-13), anxious for the faithfulness of his beloved Timothy (1:8; 2:1), is lonely for his companionship (1:4) and sends for him to come (4:9).

Since Nero died in the spring of A.D. 68, Second Timothy was written before then, perhaps in late 67 or early 68

Theme

Although Second Timothy is intently personal, Paul summarizes the work of the evangelist more succinctly in this letter than in any other epistle. The little four chapter letter abounds in great passages of weighty import. But the theme of Second Timothy is found in Paul’s solemn charge to Timothy, “Preach the word”! (4:2) When all has been said, those three words summarize and epitomize the duties of a preacher.

Consider the gravity of the command. Paul calls God and His Son, Christ Jesus, Who shall judge us on that last great day, as His witnesses. The work is God’s work (2:24), the divine message has the power to save (3:14-17), and the purpose is the salvation of men (1:8-11).

The dying words of a great man are cherished and long remembered. Every gospel preacher should make these, the last words of perhaps the greatest servant of Christ, his theme of life. They should be so etched in his mind and soul that they constitute the sum of his life’s work and the purpose of his daily tasks. Only by faithful fulfillment of this commission may he with clear conscience whisper in death Paul’s magnificent summary of his own life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (4:7) Only then may he, with the beloved apostle, lay claim to the victor’s crown, the crown of life (4:8).

Outline

Each chapter of the epistle shows a different responsibility of the evangelist to the word.
1. Hold It Fast - chapter 1 (cf. 1:13)
2. Teach It - chapter 2 (cf. 2:24)
3. Continue In It - chapter 3 (cf. 3:14)
4. Preach It - chapter 4 (cf. 4:2)