The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

  Timothy’s Faith and Heritage

  3I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my cforefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

  4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,

  5when I call to remembrance dthe 2genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and eyour mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

  6Therefore I remind you fto stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

  7For gGod has not given us a spirit of fear, hbut of power and of love and of a sound mind.

  Not Ashamed of the Gospel

  8iTherefore do not be ashamed of jthe testimony of our Lord, nor of me kHis prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

  9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, lnot according to our works, but maccording to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus nbefore time began,

  10but ohas now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

  11pto which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher 3of the Gentiles.

  12For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, qfor I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

  Be Loyal to the Faith

  13rHold fast sthe pattern of tsound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

  14That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

  15This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

  16The Lord grant mercy to the uhousehold of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;

  17but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.

  18The Lord vgrant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord win that Day—and you know very well how many ways he xministered 4to me at Ephesus.

  2 Timothy 2

  Be Strong in Grace

  1You therefore, amy son, bbe strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

  2And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

  3You therefore must cendure1 hardship das a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

  4eNo one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

  5And also fif anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

  6The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

  7Consider what I say, and 2may the Lord ggive you understanding in all things.

  8Remember that Jesus Christ, hof the seed of David, iwas raised from the dead jaccording to my gospel,

  9kfor which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, leven to the point of chains; mbut the word of God is not chained.

  10Therefore nI endure all things for the sake of the 3elect, othat they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

  11This is a faithful saying:

  For pif we died with Him,

  We shall also live with Him.

  12qIf we endure,

  We shall also reign with Him.

  rIf we deny Him,

  He also will deny us.

  13If we are faithless,

  He remains faithful;

  He scannot deny Himself.

  Approved and Disapproved Workers

  14Remind them of these things, tcharging them before the Lord not to 4strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

  15uBe diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

  16But shun profane and 5idle babblings, for they will 6increase to more ungodliness.

  17And their message will spread like cancer. vHymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

  18who have strayed concerning the truth, wsaying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

  19Nevertheless xthe solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord yknows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of 7Christ depart from iniquity.”

  20But in a great house there are not only zvessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

  21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, 8sanctified and useful for the Master, aprepared for every good work.

  22bFlee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  23But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

  24And ca servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, dable to teach, epatient,

  25fin humility correcting those who are in opposition, gif God perhaps will grant them repentance, hso that they may know the truth,

  26and that they may come to their senses and iescape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

  2 Timothy 3

  Perilous Times and Perilous Men

  1But know this, that ain the last days 1perilous times will come:

  2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

  3unloving, 2unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

  4btraitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

  5chaving a form of godliness but ddenying its power. And efrom such people turn away!

  6For fof this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

  7always learning and never able gto come to the knowledge of the truth.

  8hNow as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: imen of corrupt minds, jdisapproved concerning the faith;

  9but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, kas theirs also was.

  The Man of God and the Word of God

  10lBut you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

  11persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me mat Antioch, nat Iconium, oat Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And pout of them all the Lord delivered me.

  12Yes, and qall who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

  13rBut evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

  14But you must scontinue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

  15and that from childhood you have known tthe Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

  16uAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, vand is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for 3instruction in righteousness,

  17wthat the man of God may be complete, xthoroughly equipped for every good work.

  2 Timothy 4

  Preach the Word

  1I acharge you 1therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, bwho will judge the living and the dead 2at His appearing and His kingdom:

  2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. cConvince, drebuke, eexhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

  3fFor the time will come when they will not endure gsound doctrine, hbut according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

  4and they will turn their ears aw
ay from the truth, and ibe turned aside to fables.

  5But you be watchful in all things, jendure afflictions, do the work of kan evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

  Paul’s Valedictory

  6For lI am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of mmy departure is at hand.

  7nI have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

  8Finally, there is laid up for me othe crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous pJudge, will give to me qon that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

  The Abandoned Apostle

  9Be diligent to come to me quickly;

  10for rDemas has forsaken me, shaving loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

  11Only Luke is with me. Get tMark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

  12And uTychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

  13Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

  14vAlexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.

  15You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

  16At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. wMay it not be charged against them.

  The Lord Is Faithful

  17xBut the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, yso that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered zout of the mouth of the lion.

  18aAnd the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. bTo Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

  Come Before Winter

  19Greet cPrisca and Aquila, and the household of dOnesiphorus.

  20eErastus stayed in Corinth, but fTrophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

  21Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

  Farewell

  22The Lord 3Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

  2 Timothy Commentaries

  2 Timothy 1

  1:1, 2 Paul reminded Timothy that, despite their intimate spiritual relationship, the apostle wrote to him with spiritual authority given him by God. This established the necessity that not only Timothy, but also all others comply with the inspired mandates of the epistle.

  1:1 apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. See note on 1 Tim. 1:1. His call was according to God’s sovereign plan and purpose (cf. 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1). promise of life…in Christ Jesus. The gospel promises that those who are spiritually dead but by faith embrace the gospel’s message will be united to Christ and find eternal life in Him (John 3:16; 10:10; 14:6; Col. 3:4).

  1:2 Timothy, a beloved son. See note on 1 Tim. 1:2. Grace…our Lord. See note on 1 Tim. 1:2. More than a standard greeting by Paul, this expressed his genuine desire for God’s best in Timothy’s life.

  1:3 I thank God…in my prayers. See notes on Phil. 1:3, 4. pure conscience. See note on 1 Tim. 1:5.

  1:4 greatly desiring to see you. Because of Paul’s affection for Timothy and the urgency of the hour in Paul’s life, as he faced death, Paul had an intense yearning to see Timothy again (cf. 4:9, 13, 21). mindful of your tears. Paul perhaps remembered this occurring at their latest parting, which occurred after a short visit to Ephesus, following the writing of 1 Timothy, and prior to Paul’s arrest at Troas (see note on 4:13) and his second imprisonment in Rome. Years before, Paul had a similar parting with the elders at Ephesus (Acts 20:36–38).

  1:5 Lois…Eunice. Mention of their names suggests that Paul knew them personally, perhaps because he (with Barnabas) led them to faith in Christ during his first missionary journey (cf. Acts 13:13—14:21). The women were true OT Jewish believers, who understood the Scripture well enough to prepare themselves and Timothy (3:15) to immediately accept Jesus as Messiah when they first heard the gospel from Paul.

  1:6 stir up the gift of God. This seems to indicate Paul was unsatisfied with Timothy’s level of current faithfulness. “Stir up” means lit. “to keep the fire alive,” and “gift” refers to the believer’s spiritual gift (see notes on Rom. 12:4–8; 1 Cor. 12:7–11; regarding Timothy’s spiritual gift, see notes on 4:2–6; 1 Tim. 4:14). Paul reminds Timothy that as a steward of his God-given gift for preaching, teaching, and evangelizing, he could not let it fall into disuse (cf. 4:2–5). laying on of my hands. See notes on 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; cf. 6:12. Paul might have done this at the time of Timothy’s conversion, in which case it would have corresponded to when Timothy received his spiritual gift. The expression may also refer to an extraordinary spiritual endowment, which was received or enhanced at some point after his conversion.

  1:7 a spirit of fear. The Gr. word, which can also be translated “timidity,” denotes a cowardly, shameful fear caused by a weak, selfish character. The threat of Roman persecution, which was escalating under Nero, the hostility of those in the Ephesian church who resented Timothy’s leadership, and the assaults of false teachers with their sophisticated systems of deceptions may have been overwhelming Timothy. But if he was fearful, it didn’t come from God. power. Positively, God has already given believers all the spiritual resources they need for every trial and threat (cf. Matt. 10:19, 20). Divine power—effective, productive spiritual energy belongs to believers (Eph. 1:18–20; 3:20; cf. Zech. 4:6). love. See note on 1 Tim. 1:5. This kind of love centers on pleasing God and seeking others’ welfare before one’s own (cf. Rom. 14:8; Gal. 5:22, 25; Eph. 3:19; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 4:18). sound mind. Refers to a disciplined, self-controlled, and properly prioritized mind. This is the opposite of fear and cowardice that causes disorder and confusion. Focusing on the sovereign nature and perfect purposes of our eternal God allows believers to control their lives with godly wisdom and confidence in every situation (cf. Rom. 12:3; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:2).

  1:8 the testimony of our Lord. The gospel message concerning Jesus Christ. Paul did not want Timothy to be “ashamed” to name the name of Christ because he was afraid of the potential persecution (cf. vv. 12, 16). me His prisoner. See Introduction: Author and Date; see notes on Eph. 3:1; Phil. 1:12–14. Being linked to Paul, who was a prisoner because of his preaching of the gospel, could have put Timothy’s life and freedom in jeopardy (cf. Heb. 13:23).

  1:9 with a holy calling. As always in the NT epistles, this calling is not a general invitation to sinners to believe the gospel and be saved (as in Matt. 20:16), but refers to God’s effectual call of the elect to salvation (see note on Rom. 1:7). This calling results in holiness, imputed (justification) and imparted (sanctification), and finally completed (glorification). not…works, but…grace. This truth is the foundation of the gospel. Salvation is by grace through faith, apart from works (see notes on Rom. 3:20–25; Gal. 3:10, 11; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:8, 9). Grace is also the basis for God’s sustaining work in believers (cf. Phil. 1:6; Jude 24, 25). according to His own purpose. God’s sovereign plan of election (see notes on 2:10; John 6:37–40, 44; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:29; 9:6–23; Eph. 1:4; 3:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 1:1, 2; 1 Pet. 1:2). in Christ Jesus. His sacrifice made God’s salvation plan possible, because He became the substitute sacrifice for the sins of God’s people (see notes on 2 Cor. 5:21). before time began. The same Gr. phrase appears in Titus 1:2. The destiny of God’s chosen was determined and sealed from eternity past (John 17:24; cf. Eph. 1:4, 5; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:2).

  1:10 appearing. “Epiphany” is the Eng. equivalent of this Gr. word, most often used of Christ’s second coming (4:18; 1 Tim. 6:14; Titus 2:13), but here of His first coming. abolished death…immortality to light. “Abolished” means “rendered inoperative.” Physical death still exists, but it is no longer a threat or an enemy for Christians (1 Cor. 15:54, 55; Heb. 2:14). It was not until the incarnation and the gospel that God chose to fully make known the truth of immortality and eter
nal life, a reality only partially understood by OT believers (cf. Job 19:26).

  1:11 preacher…teacher. See notes on 1 Tim. 2:7.

  1:12 I also suffer. Cf. v. 8; see notes on 2 Cor. 4:8–18; 6:4–10; 11:23–28; Gal. 6:17; Phil. 3:10. I am not ashamed. See notes on v. 8; Rom. 1:16; 1 Pet. 4:16. Paul had no fear of persecution and death from preaching the gospel in a hostile setting, because he was so confident God had sealed his future glory and blessing. know whom I have believed. “Know” describes the certainty of Paul’s intimate, saving knowledge—the object of which was God Himself. The form of the Gr. verb translated “I have believed” refers to something that began in the past and has continuing results (see note on Rom. 1:16). This knowing is equal to “the knowledge of the truth” (3:7; 1 Tim. 2:4). He is able to keep. See notes on Jude 24, 25. what I have committed. Paul’s life in time and eternity had been given to his Lord. He lived with unwavering confidence and boldness because of the revealed truth about God’s power and faithfulness, and his own experience of an unbreakable relationship to the Lord (Rom. 8:31–39). that Day. Cf. v. 18; 4:8; see notes on Phil. 1:6. Also called “Day of Christ” (see notes on Phil. 1:10), when believers will stand before the judgment seat and be rewarded (see notes on 1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Pet. 1:5).

  1:13 sound words. Cf. 1 Tim. 4:6; 6:3. The Scripture and the doctrine it teaches (see notes on 3:15–17). from me. Paul had been the source of this divine revelation (cf. 2:2; 3:10, 14; Phil. 4:9; see notes on Eph. 3:1–5). faith and love…in Christ Jesus. “Faith” is confidence that God’s Word is true, and “love” is kindness and compassion in teaching that truth (cf. Eph. 4:15).

  1:14 That good thing…committed to you. The treasure of the good news of salvation revealed in the Scripture (see note on 1 Tim. 6:20).

  1:15 Asia. A Roman province that is part of modern Turkey; this is not a reference to the entire region of Asia Minor. Phygellus and Hermogenes. Nothing else is known about these two men, who apparently had shown promise as leaders, had been close to Paul, and were well known among the Asian churches, but deserted Paul under the pressure of persecution.