A young pastor learns how to lead.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul addresses his young apprentice as far more than a subordinate; he opens his heart as a mentor to the man who would succeed him. Again and again the apostle urges the young pastor to follow in his footsteps, to repeat the truths “which you have heard from me” (2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2), to “continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (3:14). These are the words of a man who had done his best to prepare a path for those who would come after—and who had accepted the responsibility of passing the torch to a younger generation.
Paul knew that his own work was drawing to a close (4:6). He wrote from prison (1:8), mentioning his chains (1:16); it is possible that at the time of his writing, the apostle was awaiting execution in Rome. Yet his faith does not falter. Paul declares that he knows his God well and trusts Him to keep safe everything he has committed to Him (1:12). Paul also takes comfort in a life well-spent: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (4:7).
Nevertheless, this spiritual triumph is mixed with grief. Paul confides that he is alone except for Luke (4:11). He lists some who have moved on and others who have outright abandoned or harmed him (4:10, 12, 14), and he notes that no one showed up to defend him when he was on trial (4:16). He asks Timothy to bring parchments and a cloak, with a plaintive request to “do your utmost to come before winter” (4:13, 21).
It is Paul’s deep emotional struggle that makes the Book of 2 Timothy truly remarkable. In spite of his personal struggles, the apostle managed to compose an epistle that not only ends with jubilant praise (4:18) but also provides compassionate, discerning advice for pastoral life. Paul instructs Timothy in many key lessons of leading a congregation—principles that continue to guide pastors today. Paul warns against false teaching and urges constant readiness to preach the Word (4:2), implying that pastors should be well-versed in Scripture. Paul also extols the many uses of Scripture and defends its divine inspiration (3:16, 17). And significantly, Paul urges Timothy to complete the very task Paul had completed in him—to pass on his learning to others so that they may carry on the good work of bringing others up in the faith (2:2).
Paul’s letters to Timothy take us back to one of the earliest cases of a church transitioning from one generation to the next. The exact dates of these letters are unknown, but they were probably written late in Paul’s life, and 2 Timothy may have been Paul’s last written work.
Key Verses in 2 Timothy
• “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).
• “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1).
• “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
• “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
• “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).
• “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17).
• “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2).