New Testament · Letters of Paul · The Pastoral Letters · World English Bible
2 Timothy
"For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control."
— 2 Timothy 1:7 
The Reading LensEvery verse pulled to the top of a book is chosen by three questions: Where is God’s heart here? Who is He protecting? Who is being saved by the action? It marks the place where those answers come into clearest focus — a “look at this, in this book.”
About the Letter
The most personal of the three Pastoral Letters and presented as the last — written from prison, with the expectation that this time there will be no release.
The tone is valedictory and, in places, lonely. Names are given of those who have left; a cloak and some books are asked for; and the note that everyone deserted him at his first defence is followed immediately by the hope that it will not be held against them.
The instruction to Timothy is about continuity: what you heard from me, entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others — four generations of handing on, in a single sentence.
4 Chapters
Fan Into Flame
The faith Timothy inherited from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Not a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control. Then the names — those in Asia who turned away, and Onesiphorus, who searched Rome until he found him.
A Worker Approved
The soldier, the athlete and the farmer as three pictures of the work. Avoid quarrels about words, which ruin the hearers — and correct opponents with gentleness.
Difficult Times
A long list of what the last days look like, most of it about self-interest wearing the appearance of godliness. Then the reminder of what Timothy learned and from whom, and that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful.
Finish
Preach the word in season and out. The time will come when people will not put up with sound teaching. Then the ending — the fight fought, the course finished, the faith kept — and a request for the cloak left at Troas, and the books, especially the parchments.