2 Timothy by Chris Hearty (2022)

Paul encourages Timothy to rekindle the spiritual gift he received from God. Perhaps fear was causing Timothy to shrink back from the mission God had entrusted to him. Paul, confident in Timothy's faith, reminds him he did not receive a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind. The sufferings of Paul and Timothy should encourage us as we see how they did not let fear stop them from accomplishing all God had for them to do.

In Christ Jesus, we have been saved from the penalty of our sin. This is an action completed in the past. We are saved from the power of our sin, presently and ongoing. In the future, in heaven, we will be saved from the presence of our sin. If we really understand the tremendous value of the Gospel, we would guard it as a treasure and would not be ashamed of it. Truly know Jesus should remove all shame.

Paul encourages Timothy with the message to stay strong in the grace God has given him. Paul entrusted him to pass on the Biblical truths he had learned from Paul with the goal of multiplying Christ-followers. Jesus' plan to multiply disciples by one-on-one mentoring may seem slow at first but multiplication results in much greater numbers over time than simple addition.

Paul writes to Timothy to persevere in suffering and reflects on three metaphors to illustrate this point. The first being a soldier trying to please his commanding officer, the next being an athlete that competes according to the rules, and the last being a hard-working farmer receiving a share of his crops. Paul urges us to call on God for insight into perseverance through suffering.

Paul writes to Timothy to have hope in Christ, even if our circumstances our bad, reminding ourselves of our eternal salvation. He urges us to turn away from wickedness and watch out for false teachers. Lastly, Paul calls us to pursue a life of righteousness, peace, faith, and love so that we may be used as instruments to the Lord.

Paul warns Timothy about the difficult times preceding Jesus' return, stating that people will be hypocrites, without love, and unforgiving. Paul tells us to have nothing to do with such people, but to instead strive for a Christ-like character. \r\n

Paul warns against false teachers and deceivers that prey on vulnerable members of the community. Paul then calls on the believers to know the Lord's teachings, and to endure through persecution.

Paul emphasizes the importance of the scriptures, while simultaneously claiming that they are inerrant and divinely written. He then charges believers to preach and know the word, and be alert in the face of false teachers.

Paul writes to Timothy about those who have deserted him, but then moves on to praise God's faithfulness to him. He requests his friends to come to him and bring some of his belongings, and reflects on his walk with God. \r\n