1:3 — I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.
This was Paul’s last letter. He knew he would soon be facing death and that he would no longer be able to encourage Timothy and the many who made up the churches that he had helped to establish throughout the known world. But he also knew that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide and lift up the body of Christ. Yet up to the end, the apostle remained faithful to pray for Timothy. Why? Because Paul knew that every spiritual battle was won on his knees in prayer. He testified, “I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him” (2 Tim. 1:12).
1:6 — For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you.
Kindle afresh in this verse means “to incite, stir up, or stimulate.” We are to encourage and motivate others to be faithful to the Lord. God never takes away the spiritual gifts He bestows upon us (Rom. 11:29), but they can lose their effectiveness through our neglect or misuse. God instructs us to use our gifts for the benefit of His people in obedience to Him (1 Pet. 4:10).
1:7 — God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Fear focuses our attention on ourselves and on things we do not need to consider. It fills our minds with hypothetical situations that all end in defeat and ruination. Eventually, it utterly consumes us. This is why we cannot shrink back in obeying God and using the gifts He has given us because He is ultimately in control of our futures, and we are never victims of our circumstances. We are overwhelmingly triumphant in Christ, and we must act like it.
Answers to Life’s Questions
Paul’s words to Timothy are equally God’s words to you. He has given each one of us “a spirit . . . of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7). Therefore, we never should respond to circumstances or people in fear because we have the power of God living within us—the very power that dispels all fear and anxiety.
1. Ask for God’s help.
When fear strikes, immediately ask for God’s help. Tap into His power and allow Him to encourage your heart. Remember when Peter tried to walk on the water to Jesus, but his fear overcame him (Matt. 14:30)? When he found himself in trouble and fear—sinking in the sea—he had the right response. He asked for God’s help. “Lord, save me!” This is your best first response any time you feel fearful.
2. Ask the Lord to fill your heart with a sense of His abiding love.
Love is a powerful antidote to fear. God’s love has the ability to eliminate it. I remember the first time I preached in my home church. I was young and had a “fear attack.” I felt the people would expect more from me than a group of strangers might expect. So what helped me? I read the words of the Lord to Joshua in Joshua 1:5–9, and then I turned my focus to the people of my home church. I felt overwhelmed by how much I loved them and how they had loved me through the years. By the time I stood in the pulpit, the fear had completely drained out of me. John tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Ask your heavenly Father to impart to you more of Christ’s love and to take away any torment you feel. As you do, fear will lose its grip on you.
3. Ask God to give you a sound mind, filled with and operating according to God’s Word.
The basis for a sound mind is the Word of God. The more you know of God’s promises and the more you live according to His commandments, the greater your strength to withstand fear. Use Scripture to speak directly to the source of your fear, just as Jesus quoted Scripture to Satan during His time of temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:1–13).
When you feel gripped by fear, turn your gaze to Jesus, redirect your heart to His love, speak to your fear from the Word of God, and then respond boldly to the situation. The Lord’s desire is for you to “be strong and very courageous” today (Josh. 1:7).
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1:8 — Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.
Sometimes we may be tempted to keep quiet about our faith in Christ because of our fear of what others will think of us. Yet it is a great privilege to represent Him, and we must do so with boldness and enthusiasm, remembering that it may mean eternal life for those who hear our testimony and respond to the Lord Jesus in faith.
1:9 — Not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.
The grace of God did not begin with us—it did not even start at the Cross. The Lord’s plan for our salvation was established before He ever created the world. Therefore, we must trust His eternal plan, which was the divine favor He bestowed upon us at the Cross (John 3:16–18; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5) because that is only way He has provided for our salvation.
1:12 — I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Neither Paul nor any of the disciples could have suffered such hardship and persecution if they had not been fully convinced of the power of God’s truth—that every promise He has made to us, He will keep (Heb. 11:1, 6). They did not merely endure the adversity, they rejoiced in their afflictions because through suffering they could identify with Christ (Acts 5:41; 2 Cor. 12:10; Phil. 3:8–11). If we want to follow Him, we must likewise have absolute confidence in His provision at the Cross and that His Word is infallibly true.
2:2 — The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
We cannot serve the Lord on our own—as believers we have not been called to “go it alone” in our walk of faith. We must choose trustworthy, godly people to follow in our Christian walk and, likewise, choose committed men and women to follow in our footsteps. It is our duty to teach them what we have learned so that they can serve the Lord, too. In that way, we ensure that the work will carry on even when we are gone—and that is absolutely essential when doing ministry (Matt. 28:19, 20).
2:3 — Suffer hardship with me.
We must be absolutely committed and disciplined in our relationship with the Lord—especially as we face trials. Like the solider, we serve at the pleasure of our Commander, and we must be focused on Him and obedient to His orders—despite the hardships and obstacles. Like an athlete, we press through the pain and abide by the rules to reach our goal, which is glorifying Him. And like a farmer, we patiently wait as our seeds of consistent faithfulness bloom into a harvest of righteousness.
2:7 — Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
How do we gain spiritual understanding? First, we have to meditate on what God says in His Word—pondering it and turning it over in our minds. Then we have to ask Him to apply His truth to our hearts in a practical way so we can live it out in obedience. Both work together.
2:13 — If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
There will be times when we stumble in our faith because of the great trials we face. In these times, we must not allow guilt to consume us. We must not fall into the enemy’s trap by believing that we have lost our salvation or that God does not care for us. It is essential to remember that from the moment we believe in Jesus, His Spirit indwells us. We belong to Him and are sealed in Him for eternity. Therefore, instead of fretting, we must immediately seek His forgiveness and commit ourselves to obeying Him anew.
2:14 — Charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
Some believe when they quibble over the details of doctrine, they are defending the faith. But what they are really doing is confusing immature believers and avoiding obeying the Lord in preaching the gospel. Great harm has been done to the church because of useless arguments. Remember Christ’s words, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13), and never forget that laying down our lives sometimes means putting aside our opinions for the good of others.
2:15 — Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
When we stand before Jesus to answer for what we have done, it will become clear what we have done in obedience to Him and what we did for our own glory. When we faithfully obey Him and desire His fellowship, we can look forward to hearing the wonderful words, “Well done, good and faithful slave . . . enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).
2:19 — “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
If we claim to be Christians, then we must live for God according to His calling and standards. His grace does not free us to sin; it gives us the strength and the desire to gladly submit to His will.
2:25, 26 — With gentleness correcting those who are in opposition . . . and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil.
We must consider everything we say and do with the perspective of eternity—especially when others tempt us to anger. Ask yourself, “Is my reaction appropriate? Or will it damage my testimony with this person?” Your gracious response to them may be the key that leads them to faith in the Lord, so be sure not to do anything that would ruin that and leave them ensnared to sin.
3:5 — Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these.
There are those who go through the motions of religion but never genuinely trust the Lord as Savior. Because of their unbelief, the subtle but deadly sins of pride, greed, lust, unforgiveness, gossip, and so forth flow from their lives. To these, Jesus will say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23). They are false prophets who lead people astray, and we should have nothing to do with them.
3:12 — All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
In our earthly reasoning, we sometimes believe that because God is all-powerful and loves us perfectly, He should protect us from all persecution and suffering. We fail to remember that He uses adversity to deepen our relationship with Him. He warns us that we will suffer—not to discourage us, but to prepare us for the inevitable so that we will have faith in Him and rejoice in our identification with Him when the time comes.
3:16 — All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
The word inspired means that Scripture was God-breathed. Throughout history, the Lord chose faithful individuals to communicate His message to the world. Through them, He gave us His Word as an instruction book to guide our lives and as an immoveable anchor to hold us steady in times of storm. The Bible is the final authority for our faith and what we believe, which God reveals to us through His Holy Spirit.
What the Bible Says About
The truth of God’s Word applies to all men and women in every culture, in every age, in every walk of life. It is His supernatural manual that alone reveals His mind and ways so that humankind may know and experience His presence and eternal love.
The Bible is God’s written record of His works through the ages. It provides substantial evidence of His nature, plan, and purposes so that we can confidently place our faith in Him. Because we have His Word, we are not left to archaeological, historical, or theological guesswork. We can know how to live, make decisions, and worship the Lord, for “it is written” in His Word.
Scripture is divinely inspired. This means that He was involved in every detail that was recorded and written. It is God-breathed, and it is life’s final and ultimate authority. The Bible is the “last word” on issues pertaining to God and His will. No individual, institution, or organization can supersede the authority of Scripture. Likewise, the Bible is God’s guide to salvation and wise living. The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (119:105).
That is exactly why we are admonished not to add to or take away from Scripture (Rev. 22:18, 19). It perfectly expresses the decrees and judgments of almighty God. The Bible is authoritative because it is the truth: “The sum of Your word is truth” (Ps. 119:160).
Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Bible enlightens each individual to recognize personal sin, the need for salvation, and the best possible life course. Without the Bible informing and illumining us, we would be hopelessly unable to know and follow the true and living God. When we say, “Oh, I just wish I could hear God speak to me!” we overlook the fact that He has spoken and is still speaking to us through His Word. He is never silent but is actively involved in every aspect of our lives (Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12).
The Bible is also profitable and nourishing. It provides us with an advantage in every department of life—family, business, and personal relationships. It is profitable because it reflects the wisdom of God; and when we abide by its teachings, we learn to live in His peace. As we meditate and consider its truth, our spirits and souls find nourishment. We become established and enriched in every experience of life by living according to God’s perspective.
The Bible is the Book for everyone. It is revelation, inspiration, and communication of the Person and plan of the eternal, living, and powerful God.
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3. God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.
3:17 — So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
God gave us His Word for an important reason: our spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit works through Scripture to rebuke and correct us when we sin, to train us in righteousness, to equip us to do His will, and to grow us into His image so that we can become His effective ambassadors for the gospel.
4:3 — The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.
A time is coming when people will outright reject the truth of God’s Word, picking and choosing what to believe based on their desires and preferences. They will follow the false doctrine of ungodly teachers who preach what they want to hear. As they did in Paul’s time, they will persecute believers. However, we must remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that we don’t answer to them. We are accountable to Jesus, who will “judge the living and the dead” (2 Tim. 4:1).
4:7 — I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
Although Paul had been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned, and even left for dead, he never lost his faith but followed the Lord Jesus based on the truth of His Word and in anticipation of the rewards He had stored up for him. If we wish to end well as the apostle Paul did, we must do likewise, recalling the past with thanksgiving, being wholeheartedly committed to the Lord’s calling, and believing in His promises no matter our circumstances, just as he did.
Answers to Life’s Questions
How can I cope with feelings of loneliness?
Paul endured prison alone, where he felt deeply isolated. In the last months of his life, he gave us the wonderful secret of what to do in times of intense loneliness.
First, he recognized the presence of God. He wrote that the Lord stood with him (2 Tim. 4:17). Paul couldn’t change his situation, but in that lonely, damp prison cell, he remembered that God was with him.
Second, Paul dealt with loneliness by recalling how God faithfully strengthened him (2 Tim. 4:17). The Lord supported Paul, infusing him with strength. The apostle knew that no one could take his life without God’s permission. We often quote Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” It is significant that Paul was confined to prison as he wrote these words. Even though he faced discouraging circumstances, he had an unwavering sense of hope within because he understood the truth that his life was totally under the omnipotent, watchful care of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Third, Paul combated his feelings of loneliness by reminding himself that he had the awesome privilege of fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. What incredible encouragement that is—to know we are part of God’s providential plan! David also found encouragement in the Lord’s presence. Many of the psalms he penned were written as a result of the utmost dire situations. Yet he wrote these words: “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles” (Ps. 34:6).
In his loneliness, Paul treasured the company of his friends. He wrote that Luke remained with him and urged Timothy and Mark to join him. He mentioned four people by name who comforted him: Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia (2 Tim. 4:21). We know nothing about those four people, other than they stuck with the apostle Paul. That has to be one of the greatest compliments they could have been paid.
Finally, Paul asked Timothy to bring some books with him, “especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13). These priceless documents were no doubt the Word of God. Knowing the apostle Paul, we may assume that he hungered for copies of Scripture. In an hour of great loneliness, the Word of God brings great comfort.
The Lord Jesus Christ felt totally alone as He faced His own death. The Bible says, “All the disciples left Him and fled” (Matt. 26:56). And on the Cross He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). Jesus knows all about loneliness. Yet He also knows the joy of being carried through the loneliest of times on the wings of faith, confident that the Father will never abandon us. He stands as the ultimate example of One who faced the perils of loneliness without losing heart.
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Life Examples
Laboring in the Background
We know so little about Luke. The Bible contains only three references to him (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24), but we can catch a glimpse of the man whom God used to write two major New Testament books.
Luke was probably a Greek physician and often traveled with Paul (Col. 4:14). Tradition calls him a native of Antioch and says he died unmarried and childless at the age of eighty-four. He wrote Luke and Acts to fellow Gentiles, reassuring them that Christ came for all mankind. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the manhood of Jesus in all its perfection and stresses the plight of women, children, and the poor, sick, and outcast.
Luke labored without regard to himself or the persecution that raged around him. He did so by dying to self and living for the Lord, whom he came to love more and more through his careful interviews.
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4:11 — Only Luke is with me.
Why do you suppose God chose Luke—a physician—to travel with and encourage Paul in these last years of his life? Surely, it was because Luke was able to minister to Paul’s physical wounds and health needs. Yet there was another reason. Luke learned a great deal from the imprisoned apostle. Like Paul, he ministered to the Gentiles, writing his Gospel account for a non-Jewish audience. Also, by traveling with Paul, he was able to chronicle the history of the church in the Book of Acts.
4:16 — At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
As Paul stood before the Roman tribunal and faced a sentence of death, he was completely alone. No one supported or defended him. True, it was very dangerous for anyone to stand for him because they would also be put on trial. However, Paul was lonely for the love and encouragement of his friends. Likewise, others may forsake us during our time of need. But we must remember Paul’s example and not count it against them. We must forgive them, being confident that the Lord will not desert us—no matter what happens.
4:17 — The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished.
Sometimes, the Lord will remove everyone and everything we depend on to teach us to trust Him more. We learn that when all else fails, the Lord stands solidly at our side. When we feel absolutely spent, He gives us strength. When failure appears inevitable, He steps in and helps us to finish what He gave us to do. No matter what we are going through or how deep the pain, we can always rely on the Lord.