2_Timothy 1:1~18
THE GIFT OF GOD, Dr. Samuel Lee
A SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-CONTROL
Passage: 2Timothy 1:1~18
Key verse: 7
INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY
This second letter to Timothy is probably Paul's last letter. He wrote in 4:7, 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' He was looking forward to the crown of righteousness which the Lord himself would give him. Paul was living on death row in a Roman dungeon. Most likely, Paul was in prison in Rome two times. The first time is recorded in Acts 28. At that time, he was under house arrest and he could teach the Bible one-to-one freely. After his release from prison, he evidently made a missionary journey which is not recorded in Acts. He may have gone to Spain (Ro 15), visited Crete (Tit 1:5), visited Philemon in Colosse (Phm 22), and spent some time in Philippi (Php 2:23-24; 1Ti 1:3). He returned to Rome. He was evidently alone when he was arrested and arraigned (4:16). As always, he found his trial an opportunity to preach the timeless Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now he was chained like a common criminal (2:9;1:16) in a cold dungeon. Tradition says that he was martyred under Emperor Nero in A.D. 66 or 67. Paul addresses Timothy as 'my dear son.' He longs to see him and asks him to come 'before winter.' Timothy is the pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul wrote this letter to warn him of the dangers and temptations that would assail him, and to encourage him to be faithful to Jesus, and to his ministry, no matter what. Paul's own life backed up his words. He preached the Word in season and out of season. He fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race victoriously, though he was in a Roman prison cell. We can learn from Paul's final letter how to run the race of faith to the end and win the victory!
A SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-CONTROL
Prayer: God, give me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline to do your gospel work and join in Christ's sufferings.
One Word: God's Spirit of power, love and self-control
This second letter to Timothy is probably Paul's last letter. He wrote in 4:7, 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' He was looking forward to the crown of righteousness which the Lord himself would give him. Paul was living on death row in a Roman dungeon. Most likely, Paul was in prison in Rome two times. The first time is recorded in Acts 28. At that time, he was under house arrest and he could teach the Bible one-to-one freely. After his release from prison, he evidently made a missionary journey which is not recorded in Acts. He may have gone to Spain (Ro 15), visited Crete (Tit 1:5), visited Philemon in Colosse (Phm 22), and spent some time in Philippi (Php 2:23-24; 1Ti 1:3). He returned to Rome. He was evidently alone when he was arrested and arraigned (4:16). As always, he found his trial an opportunity to preach the timeless Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now he was chained like a common criminal (2:9;1:16) in a cold dungeon. Tradition says that he was martyred under Emperor Nero in A.D. 66 or 67. Paul addresses Timothy as 'my dear son.' He longs to see him and asks him to come 'before winter.' Timothy is the pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul wrote this letter to warn him of the dangers and temptations that would assail him, and to encourage him to be faithful to Jesus, and to his ministry, no matter what. Paul's own life backed up his words. He preached the Word in season and out of season. He fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race victoriously, though he was in a Roman prison cell. We can learn from Paul's final letter how to run the race of faith to the end and win the victory!
A SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-CONTROL
1. A spirit of power, love and self-discipline (1-7)
Timothy was like a dear son to Paul and a source of joy. Paul entrusted Timothy with the task of caring for God's flock in Ephesus and laid hands on him to commission and equip him. The Holy Spirit whom God gives to all who repent, believe and accept his mission does not make us timid, nor fearful; he gives us the Spirit of power, love and self-discipline to do his gospel work of saving souls.
2. Join with me in the suffering by the power of God (8-18)
Paul invited Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel. He challenged him to testify about Jesus boldly, for Jesus saved us and called us to live a holy life. Paul himself was suffering in chains in a Roman jail for his testimony. But he was not ashamed of his life or situation because he trusted in God. Paul taught Timothy to pattern his life according to sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ. Paul admonished him to do the work entrusted to him with the help of the Holy Spirit. After his arrest some deserted Paul, but Onesiphorus searched for Paul in prison and came to his aid. He had a spirit of power, love and self-control.
Prayer: God, give me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline to do your gospel work and join in Christ's sufferings.
One Word: God's Spirit of power, love and self-control
