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Up to this point, Paul's letters were directed to churches. The next four are directed to ministers, Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Timothy and Titus were also evangelists, a lesser order of the Apostles as appears in Ephesians 4:11, some prophets, some apostles and some evangelists. Their duties was much the same as the Apostles, to plant churches and to feed those churches with the Word of God.
Timothy was born and raised in Lystra, of a Greek father and a devout Jewish mother. He was trained in the Hebrew Scriptures. When Paul came to Lystra on his First Missionary Journey, he won the young man to faith in Jesus Christ. Two or three years later, when Paul returned on his Second Missionary Journey, he found that Timothy had progressed in the faith and had the respect of his fellow Christians. Paul, then, ordained Timothy to the Christian ministry.
Timothy served for Paul at Jerusalem, Rome, Corinth, Philippi, Athens, Colossae and Ephesus where he was when Paul wrote these letters. Later, Timothy joined Paul and was with him when Paul was executed. He was then arrested but later released. He was believed to have been small of frame and suffered many health problems. He was timid and needed constant pushing which Paul supplied. In spite of this, Timothy was one of the greatest and most useful of the New Testament workers. According to tradition, he died a martyr, protesting a pagan parade. It also declares that he was the first Bishop of Ephesus.
Second Timothy is chronologically last in order of the tree Pastoral Epistles. In First Timothy and Titus, he was free to make travel plans and to move about. In this letter, he is a prisoner and the end is rapidly approaching. Where Paul was arrested the second time and for what reason is not known. He writes Second Timothy from Rome where he is awaiting execution. All had forsaken him but Luke. He wanted Timothy who was probably at Ephesus, to come to him before winter. Four specific charges are addressed to Timothy that have to do with his personal life as a minister.
| The Pastoral Appeal. | |
|---|---|
| Courageous Enthusiasm | 1:1-7 |
| Do Not be Ashamed | 1:8-12 |
| Spiritual Loyalty | 1:13-18 |
| The Practical Appeal. | |
| Be a Good Steward | 2:1-2 |
| Be a Good Soldier | 2:3-4 and 8-13 |
| Be a Good Athletic | 2:5 |
| Be a Good Farmer | 2:6-7 |
| Be a Good Worker | 2:14-18 |
| Be a Good Container | 2:19-22 |
| Be a Good Servant | 2:23-26 |
| The Prophetic Appeal. | |
| Turn From the False | 3:1-9 |
| Turn to the True | 3:10-12 |
| Continue in God's Word | 3:13-17 |
| The Personal Appeal | |
| Preach the Word | 4:1-4 |
| Fulfill Your Ministry | 4:5-8 |
| Be Diligent and Faithful | 4:9-18 |
| Conclusion | 4:19-22 |
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