Second Timothy has been called by some “Paul’s swan song”. It is his final message and the last inspired letter he wrote.
Author
Paul wrote this book (1:1) declares it and a whole host of ancient authors confirm that.
Recipient
Acts ends with Paul in prison in Rome. He was released from that imprisonment and went to Ephesus, only to leave there for Macedonia where he probably wrote 1 Timothy from likely from the city of Philippi in 62 AD. Nero, emperor of Rome from AD 54 to 68, was responsible for the beginning of the Roman persecution of Christians. Rumors that they were responsible for the fire that destroyed a large portion of Rome caused him to use the unpopular Christians as his scapegoat. When Paul returned from Spain in 66 AD his enemies used the official Roman position against Christianity against Paul. This time some believers failed to support Paul after his arrest (2 Tim. 1:15) and no one was with him at his first defense before the Imperial Court (2 Tim. 4:16). He was abandoned by almost everyone (2 Tim. 4:10, 11). He was in a cold Roman cell (2 Tim. 4:13), regarded as a criminal and without hope of acquittal (2 Tim. 4:6-8, 17, 18). Under these conditions, Paul wrote 2 Timothy in the autumn of 67 AD, hoping that Timothy would be able to visit him before winter (2 Tim. 4:21). When Paul wrote 1 Timothy, Timothy was in Ephesus dealing with difficult disciples. That situation is the backdrop of 2 Timothy. Potentially facing dark days and potentially martyrdom, a perilous situation, indeed.
Message
The subject of 2 Timothy is to be faithful to the ministry that God has given you (c2 Tim. 4.5b and 1.6). Added to that, throughout the book there is repeated reference to difficult days, that is, the persecution from without (2 Tim. 1:8, and maybe 3:19,4:14), and the defection from within (2 Tim. 1:15, 2:14, 2:1618, 2:25).
Structure
Second Timothy follows the form of an ancient letter with one minor exception. It does not have the customary prayer, which usually follows the thanksgiving. The body of the letter is a series of commands.
I. Salutation 1:1-2
II. Thanksgiving 1:3-5
III. Prologue 1:6-18
IV. Encouragement to Timothy1:17-2:13
V. An approved worker and false teachers2:14-4:5
VI. Paul's last farewell 4:6-22
Purposes
The first purpose of 2 Timothy is to strengthen Timothy. Rome had outlawed Christianity. The apostle Paul was about to be executed. Some had deserted him. Though Timothy was an experienced and seasoned veteran, under this pressure, especially in light of the fact that he was about to lose his spiritual father, he was susceptible to discouragement. Perhaps in chapter 1, there is a hint of the fear and shame he felt (also 2 Tim. 6:8). Thus, Paul writes to Timothy to strengthen and encourage him (see 2 Tim. 1:8-12, 2:3, 4:1-5).
The second purpose of 2 Timothy is to summon Timothy to Rome as soon as possible (2 Tim. 1:4, 4:1, 21a). Perhaps, Paul also needed Mark for ministry (2 Tim. 4:11), as well as his cloak, books, and parchments, which he left in Troas (cf. 2 Tim. 4:13).
Summary:
Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him to fulfill his ministry despite persecution and defection, and to summon him to come to Rome. All believers are to be in the ministry (Eph. 4:12) and they should fulfill that ministry even in dark, difficult days.