“…the time of my departure has come” (II Timothy 4:6).

This is about the Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy.  These are Paul’s last recorded words.

It’s good to know when your task is complete and that you are about to be recalled home.  It concentrates the mind, as they say.

Paul knew he was on schedule, that his earthly ministry was coming to an end and the bus home was about to arrive.

There is a peace about his pronouncements in Second Timothy, even when he speaks of his coming re-trial before Caesar.  The Lord had been alongside him during the first and will be there during the second, even though Paul does not expect to be set free.  The apostle knows where he is and how things are done in Rome.  But far from growing bitter toward the government–Christians in America might want to take note!–his eyes were on Jesus Christ and the things of God.

There is much to love in this little epistle. It is unlike anything else in Scripture and, in some respects, the most passionate thing we have from the hands of Paul.

Paul is about to die. And, in the words of Dr. Samuel Johnson, nothing concentrates the mind like knowing you’re going to be hanged “in a fortnight.”

Now, one of the most helpful things a teacher can do is to help students get a handle on the book under study.

And, there are numerous ways to attempt that.

We keep in mind that this is a letter from Paul to his son-in-the-ministry Timothy, and not an essay built around a neat outline.  Paul’s trains of thought weave in and out and overlap.

Here are four ways we might try to get a handle on The Epistle of Second Timothy….

First–Notice three layers of meaning and understanding.

Think of this short epistle as being composed of THREE LAYERS of concerns from its writer: on the surface, underneath the surface, and the bottom layer.

1) Surface:  Paul is concerned about Timothy in chapter one, his responsibility as a pastor in chapter two, the troubled state of church in the future in chapter three, and his own personal situation in chapter four.  The surface material is obvious.

2) Beneath the surface: Underneath all of this lurk his thoughts concerning his own situation. Paul is in prison, he’s facing a trial, he expects to die, and he knows Heaven awaits. This colors everything he says to Timothy.  This material is stated, not just implied, and essential to understanding the epistle.

3) Underlying it all:  the reality of Jesus Christ and the victory that He achieved. In some places, this is implicit but it is the overriding fact of everything.

In chapter one, Jesus “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” in chapter two Jesus Christ is “risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship….”  In chapter three, the Lord has given us the inspired Word of Scripture. Then, in chapter four,  the faithful Lord has laid up for us all “a crown of righteousness…”

Second–one could take the traditional outline approach.

For those who prefer a more traditional outline for the four chapters, we offer this…

Chapter one: REMEMBERING YOU.  Paul is remembering his forefathers in the faith, his son-in-the-ministry Timothy and his mother and grandmother, and his friend Onesiphorus.

Chapter two: REMINDING THEM. Paul emphasizes the importance of godly leaders who are taught well and who will pass along the gospel truth. Nothing is more important for the future health of the church than this.

Chapter three: REALIZING THIS. Bad times are coming, so don’t panic and do not let it sway you from your duty.  Hold to the infallible, fully adequate Word.

Chapter four: RECAPPING MY MINISTRY. I’m about done, the end is near, the Lord is faithful, and all is good.

Third–Prospecting for gold.

This approach is like wandering across a field and picking up gems (and recalls the parable of Matthew 13:44).  This “Second Timothy Field” is loaded, with many treasures just lying out there in the open waiting for the layman without a sliver of experience or theological knowledge to pick them up and take home. That’s one reason why anyone can benefit from reading the Bible; it works at every level of human understanding.

For instance, in chapter one, we have these treasures…

–Vs 5 The statement that Timothy’s faith was derived from his mother and grandmother.  Like the rest of us, he owes a great debt to those who came before him and raised him well.

–Vs 6 Timothy is to “stir up the gift” that is within him.  Fifty years ago, my pastor (Dr. John L. Smith) said that this text reminded him of a kid being told by his mother at the dinner table, “You do not need any more sugar in your tea. Stir up what you have.”  It’s an unforgettable image.

–Vs. 7 God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.  That is as good as it gets and deserves to be memorized and lived by the Lord’s people.

–Vs. 10 Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to life through the gospel.  One can reflect on that for years and rejoice in it forever.

–Vs. 12 Hymns have been built around this glorious testimony that “I know whom I have believed….”

And in chapter two these treasures….

–Vs. 2 Timothy is to pass along what Paul taught him to faithful servants who will keep it going.

–Vs. 15 Some of us memorized this as children, but as “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed.” We did not know the word translated as “study” means to concentrate on something, to commit oneself to it, and hardly involved study halls and books!

–Vs. 19 “The foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His.'”  That’s one of my favorites. Aren’t we glad He does!  The devil doesn’t, you know. (See Acts 19:15.)

And from chapter three….

–Vs. 14-17 All Scripture has been inspired by God and is thus profitable for everything believers need.  There is nothing else in the Bible like these verses.

Lastly, from chapter four…

Two passages in particular are especially worthy of being remembered forever.

–Vs. 6-8 Paul’s work is over, his ministry is finished, and just beyond the veil waits a faithful Lord with a crown of righteousness.

–Vs. 16-18 Paul was so disappointed that at his first trial before Caesar, all his friends in Christ found other things to do that day and he went it alone. Nevertheless, the Lord was there with him and all was well. In the same way, He will be alongside Paul next time too.

Four–Find the problems or questions in this epistle.

As with any Scripture, there are questions for which we wish we had answers.  Here are some from this epistle….

1:6 Some interpret this to read as though Paul is saying God’s gifts were actually bestowed on Timothy when Paul laid his hands on him.  Others say “the laying on of hands” is symbolic.

1:10 Paul says Jesus “abolished” death. And yet in First Corinthians 15:26, he says “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

2:11-13 Is this a statement of faith memorized and chanted (or spoken) by early believers? It sure looks like it.

2:17 Who are Hymenaeus and Philetus and what exactly did they do?

2:23-24 We’re told to avoid foolish and ignorant speculations, but what exactly does this cover?  How about prophecy interpretations, the Second Coming, the Antichrist, etc.

3:12 Paul, do your truly believe that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted?” If so, what about those of us who aren’t?

4:3 This ear-tickling business. Whose ears want to be tickled, the hearers or the preachers or both?

4:13 You wanted Timothy to bring your cloak and your books. So apparently, you were not expecting your homegoing to be imminent. Or were you just wanting to be prepared? And in 4:21, you wanted him there before winter. That Roman prison could sure be cold, I’ll bet. (I’ve been in the Mamartine Prison, and wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.)

Let none of this deter us from loving the contents of this little letter and heeding its teachings. It’s a precious epistle and we are so grateful it has been preserved over the centuries for our edification.