This 2 Timothy 1 Bible study contains outlines, cross-references, commentary, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
2 Timothy 1 Bible Study Commentary And Questions
Outline
I. Greetings (1-2)
II. Affirmation of Timothy (2-7)
III. Stand Firm in the Face of Persecution (8-18)
Background:
2 Timothy was Paul’s final epistle. Often we place special importance on people’s “famous last words.” These are the last recorded words of Paul. In 2 Timothy 4:6-9 he expresses his belief that he would die soon, that his journey as an apostle was almost over. Paul had been imprisoned in Rome before from around 61 to 63 AD. Most scholars believe he was temporarily released, and traveled on another missionary journey before being arrested and imprisoned again. We learn in Acts 28 that Paul’s first imprisonment was akin to house arrest and he still enjoyed some amount of freedom.
Now it is likely 66-67 AD and he is in prison again. We see in 2 Timothy 2:6 that Paul is in chains, showing his second imprisonment is much more severe than his first. We see his loneliness starting in 4:9 and his longing to see his brothers and friends again. He mentions that Luke alone is with him and asks that Timothy come quickly. At the end of his life Paul is no longer allowed to travel on long missionary journeys. But his service to the Lord continues.
His heart is in making disciples. This had been the core of his ministry for decades. Nearing his death, the importance of discipleship was magnified even more. Paul’s disciples would carry on the ministry of reproduction after he left. Because he had made disciples effectively and trained up men like Timothy the work could continue even without Paul. In this book we will take an in-depth look at the final instructions Paul leaves with his dearest disciple.
I. Greetings (1-2)
Discussion Questions
- How and why did Paul become an apostle according to verse 1?
- Why is this significant?
- How did he view his relationship with Timothy?
- What can we learn about Timothy from the fact Paul called him his “beloved son?” Why did Paul call him this?
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Paul was chosen to be an apostle by God – In 1 Timothy 1:1, he says, “by the command of God.” It wasn’t Paul’s choice. It wasn’t Paul’s plan. God chose Paul to do this task and Paul was compelled to obey.
What has God called you to do? Do you do it to the best of your ability?
2. To Timothy my beloved son – Paul clearly loved Timothy. Most scholars agree that Paul never married or had children. Timothy was like the son he never had. This is the kind of son every man should aspire to have. A son who loves God. A son who shares the same vision. A son who can do ministry together with the father. Paul trusted Timothy. He sent him to far away cities and gave him challenging tasks, believing that through God’s grace he was up to the task.
While Paul affirms and empowers Timothy, he also continues to support him. He offers advice. He prays for Timothy. He is there for Timothy as a counselor and a mentor. If you want an example of how a father/son should relate to each other after the son has already grown up, Paul and Timothy are a good model to follow. If you have no children, you can still have the vision to raise up disciples (men or women) like Timothy.
II. Affirmation of Timothy (3-7)
Discussion Questions
- What do we learn in these verses about Paul’s relationship with Timothy?
- Can we learn any “secret ingredients” of discipleship?
- How would you describe Paul’s emotions toward Timothy?
- What did Paul’s feelings of affection toward Timothy cause him to do?
- How does Paul affirm Timothy starting in verse 5
- What do we learn about how Timothy came to faith?
- What does he mean to “kindle afresh the gift of God?”
- What does the term “kindle afresh” imply about the dangers of complacency?
- Do you think believers are more excited about their faith in the first year or tenth year after believing in Christ?
- Why do new believers have that excitement and passion? Why do older believers sometimes lack that?
- How can we avoid becoming complacent in our Christian walks?
- In what ways might a timid spirit show itself? How can we demonstrate “power, love, and discipline?”
Cross-References
On spiritual gifts:
Romans 12:4-8 – For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11- Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Romans 12:11 – Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Isaiah 59:17 – He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
Philippians 1:27 – Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
Hebrews 6:12 – We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. I thank God – When I grew up, my parents always told me to be thankful when people did kind things for me. Here we see that the reverse is also true. Parents should verbally express gratitude when their kids do well. They can express thanks to God for the good in their children’s lives. They should also express thanks directly to their children. How is this similar or different to how parents treat their children in your culture?
Sometimes parents like to get together and complain about their children. A lot of pressure is put on children to live up to certain expectations. Pressuring, blaming, and comparing are all commonplace. Please do not follow the culture around you in raising your children. You can be an authority and discipline your children while still being kind and gracious to them.
Do you say “thank you” to your children? Do you say “please” to your children? Do you affirm your children when they do well? Do you thank God for the good in your children’s lives? Or do you blame, complain, grow frustrated, and lose your temper?
Application: We should be polite and gracious and thankful. This applies not only to our physical children, but to our spiritual children, to disciples. Let us have a positive attitude. Let us “believe all things” and look for the best instead of focusing on the worst.
2. I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day – Discipleship (or raising children) is not easy. It takes a lot of work and effort. What kind of work goes in to discipleship? One of the most important areas about discipleship or raising children is prayer. Prayer is what goes on behind the scenes that the disciples or the children may never see or know about. But prayer is perhaps the most important ingredient of all. No matter how well you teach your children, you cannot make them believe in Christ. No matter how well you model a Christian life for your children, you cannot make them become an actual disciple of Christ. No matter how well you discipline your children and control their external behavior, you cannot control their heart.
The same applies to discipleship. You cannot make your Bible study students love God’s word. You cannot make them pray. You cannot make them share the gospel. You cannot make them start fellowships. You cannot make them obey the Word. You cannot even make them do their homework. You cannot change people’s hearts.
But God can. God is in the business of changing hearts. If you want someone’s heart to change, pray for them. Don’t just say a short prayer every now and then. Follow Paul’s example to pray for that person night and day.
3. Longi