In chapter two, Paul continues to give final instructions to the young evangelist, Timothy. They have been fellow soldiers for a long time now, since Timothy’s own conversion to Christ during Paul’s first preaching journey. He traveled with Paul on the second journey.

He ties the Christian’s strength to God’s grace (verse 1). A proper understanding of God’s grace makes a disciple stronger in the Lord. Realizing that God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you allows one to be bold, aggressive and confident.

Verses 14-26 describe the firm foundation on which a servant of the Lord rests his hope. Paul encourages Timothy (and us) to study God’s word carefully, to not engage in foolish and ignorant disputes and to humbly correct those who oppose the truth.

Outline

• Verses 1-13 – be strong in the Lord
• Verses 14-26 – the solid foundation

--Roger Hillis

Second Timothy was written under different circumstances than First Timothy.

Paul was imprisoned at Rome on two occasions. During his first imprisonment, he wrote the four “prison epistles,” Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

After his release, he wrote several letters, including First Timothy and Titus. If he wrote Hebrews, this was probably also when he did that. He was free for approximately 2-3 years.

Now he is back in a Roman prison and he writes what will prove to be his last letter. Notice that in 2 Timothy 4:6, he is ready for his death.

Outline

• Verses 1-7 – the relationship between Paul and Timothy
• Verses 8-18 – faithfulness to God’s plan

--Roger Hillis

The last chapter of First Timothy contains some final important thoughts.

The primary subject of the chapter is how an evangelist must deal with those who would trouble the people of God, His church. There have always been those who would cause strife and division among the disciples.

If such false teachers are not dealt with in the proper (that is, scriptural) way as God would have them handled, only more trouble will arise.

The faithful child of God must be willing to “fight the good fight of faith.” Remain faithful until He comes again.

Outline

• Verses 1-2 – a faithful servant
• Verses 3-10 – church troublemakers
• Verses 11-21 – keeping the faith

--Roger Hillis

Relationships within the church are an important part of the Lord’s work. Chapter Five deals with several of these relationships.

The first two verses speak to young and older Christians, both men and women. There should be mutual love, respect and devotion. As an evangelist, Timothy had to treat each group of people properly.

Verses 3-16 tell us of four different “kinds” of widows – those with no family, those with family, those who are carnal and those who are to be cared for on a permanent basis.

Verses 17-22 give some specific instructions about the important relationship between an evangelist and the elders.

Outline

• Verses 1-2 – respect for other Christians
• Verses 3-16 – dealing with widows in the church
• Verses 17-22 – elders and the church
• Verses 23-25 – concluding remarks

--Roger Hillis

The theme of First Timothy is the proper conduct of a Christian (3:15). It contains special instructions for an evangelist, to equip him for his work. Many of those specific responsibilities are described in this chapter.

This chapter uses the word, doctrine, four times. Verse 1 warns against false doctrines (“the doctrines of demons”). Verse 6 shows that teaching “good doctrine” is essential to being a faithful servant of the Lord. Verse 13 warns the preacher to pay close attention to his teaching/doctrine. And verse 16 reminds Timothy (and all evangelists) to watch carefully both his life and doctrine.

That concept of teaching sound doctrine is an emphasis in all three of these letters.

Outline

• Verses 1-5 – warning of a coming apostasy
• Verses 6-11 – the need to teach truth and oppose error
• Verses 12-16 – instructions for a young evangelist

--Roger Hillis

The largest section of Chapter Three is taken up with a discussion of the qualifications for elders and deacons. These qualifications are strict, but not impossible. They are demanding, but not unreasonable. These requirements assure that the church will be led by a plurality of godly men, approved by the Holy Spirit, who will diligently watch out for the souls of the members.

The chapter ends with a beautiful and touching description of Christ. There are six facts about Jesus. These six descriptive phrases summarize the entire earthly life of our Lord.

1 Timothy 3:15 describes the theme of the book. It tells us the proper conduct for a disciple of Christ Jesus. It also contains special instructions for an evangelist that help to equip him for his work.

Outline

• Verses 1-7 – Qualifications for elders
• Verses 8-13 – Deacons’ qualifications
• Verses 14-15 – Proper behavior in the church
• Verse 16 – God in the flesh

--Roger Hillis

Chapter 2 begins with a discussion of prayer, with a list of various types of prayers, including supplications, petitions, and thanksgiving.

He speaks a couple of verses about our Mediator in prayer, Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and wants all people to be saved. He is also described as our ransom, the one who paid the price to free us from our sins.

In verses 8-15, the apostle explains, in some detail, the various roles and responsibilities of both men and women.

Outline

• Verses 1-7 – Prayer
• Verses 8-15 – Men and women

--Roger Hillis

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus have been described as “God’s preachers’ manual.” They contain inspired advice from the Apostle Paul to two young evangelists, from a veteran preacher (one who has been there) to younger men (just learning and growing).

These three letters emphasize the importance of standing for the truth. There are two sides to this vital work. One is the preaching of the gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul tells Timothy and Titus to teach only “sound doctrine.”

The second aspect of an evangelist’s work has to do with opposing error. The world is always filled with false teachers who turn aside from sounding teaching to idle talk.

Outline

• Verses 1-11 – Timothy’s work
• Verses 12-17 – Paul’s example
• Verses 18-20 – A warning

--Roger Hillis

Lord willing, beginning on August 1, we will begin posting chapter summaries for the New Testament books of 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. There will be one chapter summarized each day and we hope you will check them out. We do hope that you are finding these postings to be helpful and encouraging to you as you seek to serve the Lord according to the New Testament pattern. Thanks for reading them and feel free to send us a message if you need any additional spiritual help.

--Roger Hillis

Paul begins this section, verses 1-9, by asking the Thessalonians to pray for him (and Silas and Timothy) in order that their work in the gospel might prosper.

They were facing opposition from unbelievers who were determined to undermine the disciples’ influence. He warns them, in verse 6, of the need to discipline unfaithful members (“every brother who walks disorderly”).

In verses 7-9, he points to his own example as one who worked hard to provide for his own needs so as not to be a burden to others.

In earlier passages in these letters, we have noted that some of the Thessalonian Christians had quit working so they could simply await the Lord’s return, which they considered to be imminent. Two thousand years later, we know they were wrong.

Perhaps that should give pause to those today who believe He will return in our own lifetime. He might, but He might not. Nobody knows for sure (Mark 13:32-37). In this last section of the book, Paul gives final instructions for faithful, prepared living.

He teaches in verses 10-12 that a person should work for a living and, if he is not willing to do so, he doesn’t even have the right to eat. He is not talking about someone who is physically unable to work, but those who simply choose not to work and support his family. This subject will also be dealt with in 1 Timothy 5.

Verses 14-15 remind us that, if a person has been “withdrawn from” (verse 6), he is not an enemy, but should be treated as a brother and encouraged to do the right thing. Do not avoid such people, but try to help them get things back in order.

In verse 13, Paul encourages them, and also us, not to “grow weary in doing good.” It is often easy to grow discouraged and the Lord wants us to keep on doing the right thing.

Jesus is coming again. Do you love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8)? Are you ready?

--Roger Hillis