Study Notes

1:1 Paul. See note on Ro 1:1. apostle. See note on 1Co 1:1. in keeping with the promise of life. God’s choice of Paul to be an apostle was in keeping with that promise, because apostles were appointed to preach and explain the good news that eternal life is available to all who will receive it through faith in Christ.

1:2 Timothy, my dear son. See note on 1Ti 1:2. Grace . . . peace. See note on Ro 1:7. mercy. See 1Ti 1:2 and note.

1:3 thank God . . . in my prayers. See note on Php 1:3–4.

1:4 Recalling your tears. Perhaps refers to Timothy’s tears when Paul left for Macedonia (see 1Ti 1:3 and note). long to see you. See 4:9,21.

1:5 your grandmother Lois . . . your mother Eunice. According to Ac 16:1, Timothy’s mother was a Jewish Christian. Here we learn that his grandmother too was a Christian. Timothy’s father, however, was a Greek and apparently an unbeliever (Ac 16:1).

1:6 fan into flame the gift of God. Gifts are not necessarily given in full bloom; they often need to be developed through use. through the laying on of my hands. See 1Ti 4:14 and note. Paul was God’s instrument through whom the gift came from the Holy Spirit to Timothy (see note on 1Ti 1:18).

1:7 timid. Apparently lack of confidence was a problem for Timothy (see 1Co 16:10–11 and note on 16:10; 1Ti 4:12).

1:8 do not be ashamed. Cf. v. 12; Ro 1:16 and note.

1:9 called us to a holy life. See Eph 1:4 and note; 1Th 4:7. not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. Salvation is by grace alone and is based not on human effort but on God’s saving plan and the gracious gift of his Son (see Ro 3:28; see also Eph 2:8–9; Titus 3:5 and notes). before the beginning of time. God’s plan to save lost sinners was made in eternity past (see Eph 1:4; 1Pe 1:20 and notes; Rev 13:8).

1:10 Christ . . . has destroyed death. See 1Co 15:26,54–57 and notes on 15:26,56,57. has brought life and immortality to light. Implying that before Jesus came, the certainty of life after death was somewhat shrouded in darkness (see Ps 11:7; Ecc 3:21; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2 and notes). gospel. See note on Mk 1:1.

1:11 a herald and an apostle. See 1Ti 2:7 and note.

1:12 no cause for shame. Cf. v. 8 and note. what I have entrusted to him. Probably Paul’s commitment to Christ and his gospel (cf. v. 14; 1Ti 6:20 and notes). that day. The day of judgment.

1:13 sound teaching. See Titus 1:9 and note. faith and love in Christ. See 1Ti 1:14; faith and love through union with Christ—another way of saying “Christian faith and love.”

1:14 good deposit . . . entrusted to you. The gospel (see note on v. 12). Paul gives the same command in 1Ti 6:20. Holy Spirit who lives in us. See Ro 5:5; 1Co 6:19 and notes; see also Ro 8:9.

1:15 everyone. Possibly hyperbole, a deliberate exaggeration to express widespread desertion. province of Asia. Timothy was in Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province of Asia (see Introduction to Ephesians: The City of Ephesus; see also map).

1:16 Onesiphorus. He and his family probably lived in Ephesus (v. 18; 4:19).

1:17 Rome. See Introduction: Author, Date and Setting; cf. v. 8; 2:9.

1:18 that day. The day of judgment (v. 12). he helped me in Ephesus. Either on Paul’s third missionary journey (see map) or on his fourth (see map).

2:1 my son. See 1Ti 1:2 and note. strong in the grace . . . in Christ. Enabling power comes from a relationship to Christ (see 2Co 12:9–10; Eph 6:10 and notes).

2:2 The epitome of Christian discipleship. the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses. Refers to Paul’s preaching and teaching, which Timothy had heard repeatedly on Paul’s missionary journeys. reliable people. People characterized by trustworthiness, dependability and faithfulness (cf. Mt 25:21,23 and notes on 25:21; Lk 12:42; 1Co 4:2; Eph 6:21; Col 1:7; 4:7; 1Ti 1:12; 1Pe 4:10; 3Jn 3; Rev 2:10, 13; 13:10; 14:12; 17:14; cf. also Ps 4:3 and note).

2:3–6 Paul gives three examples for Timothy to follow: (1) a soldier who wants to please their commander, (2) an athlete who follows the rules of the game and (3) a farmer who works hard.

2:5 victor’s crown. Cf. 1Co 9:25 and note.

2:6 receive a share of the crops. In this illustration, as in the previous two (soldier, vv. 3–4; athlete, v. 5), the main lesson is that dedicated effort will be rewarded (see 1Ti 5:17 and note).

2:8 raised from the dead, descended from David. Christ’s resurrection proclaims his deity, and his descent from David shows his humanity; both truths are basic to the gospel. Since Christ is God, his death has infinite value; since he is human, he could rightfully become our substitute.

2:9 chained like a criminal. Apparently Paul was awaiting execution (see 4:6 and note).

2:10 I endure everything for the sake of the elect. No suffering is too great if it brings about the salvation of God’s chosen ones who will yet believe. in Christ. See notes on 1:13; Eph 1:1 (see article). eternal glory. The final state of salvation.

2:11–13 Probably an early Christian hymn. The point to which Paul appeals is that suffering for Christ will be followed by glory (Ro 8:17–18).

2:11 trustworthy saying. See note on 1Ti 1:15. If we died with him, we will also live with him. The past tense here assumes that we “died with” Christ in the past when he died for us on the cross, at our conversion, or both. We are therefore assured that we will also live with him eternally (cf. Ro 6:2–11).

2:12 if we endure, we will also reign. Faithfully bearing up under suffering and trial will result in reward when Christ returns (see Ro 8:17 and note; see also article). If we disown him. See Mt 10:33.

2:13 he remains faithful. See La 3:22–23; Ro 3:3–4 and notes.

2:14–18 The wording of vv. 14–16 suggests that the heresy mentioned here is an early form of Gnosticism—the same as that dealt with in 1 Timothy and Titus (see note on 1Ti 1:3–11 and Introduction to 1 John: Gnosticism). Two leaders of this heresy, Hymenaeus (1Ti 1:20) and Philetus (v. 17), denied bodily resurrection (v. 18) and probably asserted that there is only spiritual resurrection (similar to the error mentioned in 1Co 15:12–19; see notes there). Gnosticism interpreted resurrection spiritually, not physically.

2:14 quarreling about words. Not suggesting that words are unimportant (cf. Mt 5:18; 22:31–32; Gal 3:16), but warning against fruitless arguments (cf. v. 23).

2:15 ashamed. See 1:8 and note. correctly. Responsibly, honestly, accurately. word of truth. The gospel (Eph 1:13; Col 1:5), whose truth Timothy was to believe and obey and whose contents he was therefore to preach (4:2).

2:16 godless chatter. See note on 1Ti 1:3–11.

2:17 Hymenaeus. Paul’s earlier discipline of this man had proved unsuccessful (1Ti 1:20).

2:19 God’s solid foundation. The church, which upholds the truth (1Ti 3:15). In spite of the heresy of Hymenaeus and Philetus (v. 17), Timothy should be heartened to know that the church is God’s solid foundation. There are two inscriptions on it: One stresses the security of the church (“The Lord knows those who are his”; here “know,” as often in the Bible, means to be intimately acquainted with), while the other emphasizes human responsibility (“Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness”). sealed. The church is owned and securely protected by God (see Eph 1:13 and note).

2:21 made holy. Set apart to God for use in his service (see 1Co 1:2; 1Pe 1:16 and notes).

2:22 youth. See 1Ti 4:12 and note. peace. See Ro 12:16. pure heart. See 1Ti 1:5 and note.

2:23 The Gnostic heresy is probably in view again (see note on vv. 14–18).

2:24 Lord’s servant. Seems to refer primarily to a person who, like Timothy, is set aside for special service. able to teach. Cf. note on 1Ti 3:1.

2:25 repentance. See Mt 4:17 and note. knowledge of the truth. See 1Ti 2:4.

2:26 trap of the devil. See 1Ti 3:7; cf. Eph 6:11; 1Pe 5:8.

3:1 last days. The Messianic era, the time beginning with Christ’s first coming (see 1Ti 4:1; Heb 1:1–2 and notes; 1Pe 1:20). That “the last days” in this passage does not refer only to the time just prior to Christ’s return is apparent from Paul’s command to Timothy to “have nothing to do” (v. 5) with the unbelieving and unfaithful people who characterize this time.

3:2–5 For similar lists of vices, see note on Ro 1:29–31.

3:2 lovers of money. See 1Ti 6:9–10,17–18.

3:5 godliness. See 1Ti 2:2 and note.

3:6 gullible women. Unstable women who are burdened because of their sins, torn by various evil desires and victims of false teachers.

3:8 Jannes and Jambres. According to Jewish tradition, they were the Egyptian court magicians who opposed Moses (see Ex 7:11 and note). these teachers oppose the truth. The false teachers who are wreaking havoc in the Ephesian house churches by spreading their foolish teachings (v. 9; cf. 1Ti 1:3) into the networks of women (v. 6).

3:11 Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. Three cities in the Roman province of Galatia (see maps here and here) that Paul visited on his first and second missionary journeys (see Ac 13:14, 51; 14:6 and notes). Since Timothy was from Lystra (Ac 16:1), he would have known firsthand of Paul’s sufferings in that region. the Lord rescued me from all of them. Even from execution by stoning (see Ac 14:19–20 and notes).

3:12 in Christ. See notes on 1:13; Eph 1:1. will be persecuted. As Jesus himself promised (Jn 15:18–21; 16:33). The values of the world and those of believers are often incompatible (Jas 4:4), leading to the reality of a persecuted church (see Mt 10:22; Php 1:29 and note; 1Pe 4:12).

3:14 those from whom you learned it. Referring to Eunice and Lois, Timothy’s mother and grandmother (see 1:5 and note), and perhaps a reference to Paul.

3:15 from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. A Jewish boy formally began to study the OT when he was five years old. Timothy was taught at home by his mother and grandmother even before he reached this age (see 1:5 and note).

3:16 All Scripture. The primary reference is to the OT, since some of the NT books had not even been written at this time. (See 1Ti 5:18 and note for indications that some NT books—or material ultimately included in the NT—may have already been considered equal in authority to the OT Scriptures.) God-breathed. The first known appearance of this term (theopneustos) in Greek literature, which may have been coined by Paul. It affirms God’s active involvement in the writing of Scripture, an involvement so powerful and pervasive that what is written is the infallible and authoritative word of God (see 2Pe 1:20–21 and notes).

3:17 servant of God. Or, more formally, “man of God” (see NIV text note). Paul calls Timothy a “man of God” in 1Ti 6:11.

4:1 Paul states his charge to Timothy, aware that he does so in the presence of God the Father and of Christ, who will judge everyone. He is also keenly aware of the twin facts of Christ’s return (“his appearing”) and the coming establishment of God’s kingdom in its fullest expression. Timothy was to view a charge so given as of utmost importance. Jesus, who will judge. See Mt 25:31–33; see also Jn 5:22; Jas 5:9; 1Pe 4:5 and notes.

4:2 be prepared. Be ready in any situation to speak the needed word, whether of correction, of rebuke or of encouragement.

4:3 sound doctrine. See Titus 1:9 and note. itching ears. Ears that want to be “scratched” by words in keeping with one’s evil desires.

4:4 myths. See 1Ti 1:4 and note.

4:6 drink offering. The offering of wine poured out to the Lord (Nu 15:1–12; 28:7). Paul views his approaching death as the pouring out of his life as an offering to Christ (see Php 2:17 and note). my departure. His impending death in ad c. 67/68 (see chart; cf. Php 1:23).

4:7 Paul looks back over 30 years of labor as an apostle (c. ad 36–67/68). Like an athlete who had engaged successfully in a contest (“fought the good fight”; see note on 1Ti 1:18), he had “finished the race” and “kept the faith,” i.e., had carefully preserved the deposit of Christian truth. the faith. See note on 1Ti 3:9.

4:8 crown of righteousness. Continuing with the same figure of speech, Paul uses the metaphor of the wreath given to the winner of a race (see 1Co 9:25 and note). He could be referring to (1) a crown given as a reward for a righteous life, (2) a crown consisting of righteousness or (3) a crown given righteously (justly) by the righteous Judge (see article). that day. The day of Christ’s second coming (“appearing”; see v. 1).

4:10 Demas. See Col 4:14 and note; Phm 24. Thessalonica. See Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Thessalonica: The City and the Church; see also photo. Galatia. Either the northern area of Asia Minor (Gaul) or a Roman province in what is now central Turkey (see note on Gal 1:2). Titus. See Introduction to Titus: Recipient. Dalmatia. Also known as Illyricum (Ro 15:19; see map).

4:11 Luke. A faithful companion of Paul, a physician (Col 4:14), and the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts (see Introduction to Luke: Introduction: Author). Mark. See Introduction to Mark: Mark in the NT. John Mark had deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Ac 13:13). After Paul refused to take Mark on the second journey, Barnabas separated from Paul, taking Mark with him on a mission to Cyprus (Ac 15:36–41). Ultimately Mark proved himself to Paul, indicated by his presence with Paul during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (Col 4:10; Phm 24) and by Paul’s request here for Timothy to bring Mark with him to Rome.

4:12 Tychicus. See Ac 20:4; Eph 6:21 and notes.

4:13 cloak. For protection against the cold dampness (see Introduction: Author, Date and Setting). It was probably a heavy outer garment, circular in shape with a hole in the middle for one’s head. Troas. See Ac 16:8 and note; see also map. scrolls, especially the parchments. The scrolls (see note on Ex 17:14) were made of leather or papyrus, and the parchments were made of the skins of animals. These may have included parts of the OT and what would later become the NT.

4:14 Alexander the metalworker. Perhaps the Alexander mentioned in 1Ti 1:20.

4:16 my first defense. The first court hearing of Paul’s present case, not his defense on the occasion of his first imprisonment (Ac 28). May it not be held against them. Cf. Lk 23:34; Ac 3:17 and note; 7:60.

4:17 through me the message might be fully proclaimed. Even in these dire circumstances Paul used the occasion to testify about Jesus Christ in the imperial court (cf. Ac 16:25; cf. also Php 1:12–14 and notes). delivered from the lion’s mouth. Since, as a Roman citizen, Paul could not be thrown to the lions in the amphitheater, this must be a figurative way of saying that his first hearing did not result in an immediate guilty verdict.

4:18 will rescue me from every evil attack. Since Paul fully expected to die soon (see v. 6 and note), the rescue he speaks of here is spiritual, not physical. heavenly kingdom. Heaven itself.

4:19 Priscilla and Aquila. See Ac 18:2, 18; 1Co 16:19 and notes. Onesiphorus. See 1:16 and note.

4:20 Erastus. See Ro 16:23 and note. Corinth. See Introduction to 1 Corinthians: The City of Corinth; see also map. Trophimus. See note on Ac 20:4. Miletus. A seaport on the coast of Asia Minor about 35 miles south of Ephesus (see map). See Ac 20:15 and note.

4:21 Eubulus . . . Pudens, Linus, Claudia. The only mention of these people in Scripture. Early tradition says Linus was the bishop of Rome after the deaths of Peter and Paul. brothers and sisters. See NIV text note.

4:22 be with your spirit. See note on Gal 6:18. Grace. See note on Ro 1:7. with you. See note on 2Co 13:14. you. As at the end of 1 Timothy (see note on 1Ti 6:21), “you” here is plural (hence NIV “you all”), showing that the letter was intended for public use. The word “your” in the first part of the verse, however, is singular, indicating that it was addressed to Timothy specifically.