Series: Paul’s Individual Letters
Acts 11:27-30 (Claudius Caesar)
2 Timothy 3-7 ESV
2 Timothy 1:12 ESV
2 Timothy 2:10-13 ESV
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV
Paul’s second letter to his dear adopted son Timothy was filled with warm messages and special requests. While in earlier letters written to the churches Paul made reference to being released, in this second letter to Timothy he now seems resolute to any outcome.
That’s partly because Paul’s tone in this second letter seems to have an urgency about it. Paul mentions many other believers to Timothy. It’s almost like he is trying to make sure that everyone is mentioned.
He also refers to Timothy going on without him.
While Paul was in prison in his latter years, he was living in a house that was guarded by Roman soldiers.
So, who was in power in Rome in Paul’s lifetime?
The Roman Emperor in power at the time Jesus was born was Caesar Augustus. Because of his death he was succeeded by Tiberius Caesar in 14 A.D.
In 37 A.D. his nephew Gaius (called Caligula) assumed the throne. In 41 A.D. he was succeeded by Claudius (see Acts 11:27-30) and because the Jews were fighting about someone the referred to as ‘Cristos’ he expelled all the Jews from Rome.
Roman Emperor Claudius was followed by Nero who became emperor in 54 A.D. It was Nero who blamed the Christians for the great fire in 64 A.D. Peter and Paul were both executed by Nero.(https://www.thebiblejourney.org/biblejourney1/21-the-romanojewish-world-of-the-new-testament/roman-emperors-in-the-new-testament/).
Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy during or after the time of the great fire (64 A.D.). More than likely he would have been aware of the politics in Rome under Nero. While Paul does not specifically state he was aware of what was to come, I believe God would have prepared him for his future.
In 2 Timothy 1:3-7 Paul wrote, “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Reading between the lines we can get a sense of Paul’s urgency when he refers to having a clear conscience. Paul tells his adopted son that he prays for him day and night and he hopes to see Timothy again.
He remembers to pray for his dear son day and night.
He longs to see him and remembers lifelong faith.
Most of all he remembers when he laid hands on him and asked for power, love, and self-control.
Paul’s words were intentionally chosen for Timothy. That makes me realize that after Paul was gone, Timothy would have cherished the letters Paul wrote to him from prison. This relationship between Paul and Timothy was personal. It was filled with love.
In 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul also told Timothy, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”
Paul knew and he was convinced.
In 2 Timothy 2:10-13 Paul gave Timothy words to hold onto. “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us. if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”
Paul told Timothy why he endured everything. In the future he wanted Timothy to know they died with Jesus so they will live and reign with Jesus forever. He reminded Timothy that Jesus is the author of faith. Jesus is always faithful to us.
Then in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul spoke of the efficacy of Holy scripture authored by God. He told Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
I have to wonder if Paul had any inkling that the letters he wrote to Timothy and to the churches would be part of the canon of scripture? I wonder if he knew how much his letters would mean to millions of believers in the future?
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Paul readily gave his all for Christ when he wrote, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Paul knew his time had come and he wrote to Timothy saying he had finished the race and kept the faith. He knew a crown of righteousness was prepared for him and for others who would cross-over to see Jesus.
Paul’s final letter to his dear Timothy gives us a glimpse into the Apostle’s final days on earth. Even while he knew what he was facing he was thinking of Timothy and others. He reminisced about his time with Timothy. He would have known that his death would be very difficult for Timothy and others.
Personally, I don’t think Paul was thinking of himself and what he faced. I believe he was thinking about and praying for those who would be left to carry on the message of Jesus. He was thinking of the future of the church.
He was thinking of us.
Spiritual Practice: Paul
What do you think Paul was thinking about prior to his death?
In God, Deborah
Comments