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II Timothy

Author

Like Ephesians, scholars disagree whether Paul wrote II Timothy or not. (The information below assumes that Paul did write the letter.)

Place and Time of Writing

Unknown location, but a good guess would be Rome.
Paul wrote this letter sometime at the end of his life when he knew that he would soon die.
Paul may have been in prison in Rome for a second time. If that is true, this time he was most likely in a prison and not under house arrest.
Possibly in 65, in the year that Paul died. This was right after the fire in Rome when Nero persecuted the Christians.

Unique Characteristics

One of the Pastoral Epistles.
The last letter that Paul wrote.

Audience

Timothy
Paul knew his life was nearly over, and he hoped Timothy could visit him soon.

Theme

Paul knows he will soon die and so encouraged Timothy to continue in his ministry with the instructions that Paul had given him.

More details about II Timothy

Why did Paul write the letter?

Paul, at this point, knew his life would soon end. He mentioned that Luke is with him, the same Luke that was with Paul during his Second and Third Missionary Trips. It is likely that this letter was written in Rome after the fire that occurred in Rome, and so Rome was in turmoil with Christians being arrested, tortured, and killed. Paul felt the weight of his impending death, and wanted to write a last letter to Timothy. In this letter the reader can tell that Paul knew his death was imminent.

Verses from II Timothy

2:1, 2: “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth.”
3:16, 17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful to teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the Christian may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
4:7, 8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
4:11: “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
4:13: “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.”

Outline

1:1-2: Greetings
1:3-2:26: Encouragement to be faithful
3:1-9: Warning about the last days
3:10-4:5: Paul’s charge to Timothy
4:6-18: Paul’s last words about his upcoming death
4:19-22: Closing remarks

Quiz with hover answers (Hover doesn't work for some smart phones and pads, so questions and answers here)

1. II Timothy is the last letter that Paul wrote.

Timeline up to the book of II Timothy

Dates are approximate.

Year	Event
63 B.C.	Romans conquer Israel.
27 B.C.	Pax Romana began and lasted until A.D. 180.
4 B.C.	Jesus born.
	All dates after this are A.D.
27	Jesus baptized.
30	Jesus crucified, buried, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Apostles travel to Jerusalem and choose Matthias to replace Judas as an Apostle. Day of Pentecost: Peter assumes leadership of Christianity.
30-50	Peter was leader of Christianity.
33	Paul had a vision of Jesus and became a Christian.
48-50	Paul's First Missionary Trip.
50	Council of Jerusalem; Paul became main Christian leader.
50-55	Paul's Second Missionary Trip.
51-53	Galatians, I & II Thessalonians, and I & II Corinthians written
55-60	Paul's Third Missionary Trip.
55	Romans written.
60-62	Paul arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Rome. Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome.
62-63	(Not in Acts) Paul probably released from prison during this time.
63-65	(Not in Acts) Paul probably traveled. He may have gone to Spain.
63	I Timothy written
64	Fire in Rome and Christians persecuted by Emperor Nero.
65	II Timothy written (Not in Acts)Paul back in Rome; he and Peter arrested and martyred: Peter crucified upside down and Paul beheaded.
67	Gospel of Mark written.
70	Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Romans (it has not been rebuilt).
80	Gospels of Matthew and Luke written.
90	Gospel of John and book of Acts written.
95	Christians persecuted by Emperor Domitian; Apostle John exiled on island of Patmos where he wrote Revelation.
96	Emperor Domitian died; Apostle John probably moved to Ephesus.
100	Apostle John died; he was the last Apostle to die.
390's	New Testament canon "closed" at Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397).
1200's	Chapters added to the New Testament.
1500's	Verses added to the New Testament.

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