Category: 2 Timothy

Paul brings this letter to an end by giving Timothy and his church family encouragement.

This chapter reads like a hopeful farewell, and it is.

God expects his mission to be carried out even while the messenger is staring down death.

When times get tough people can get spooked and abandon God’s mission and God’s faithful servants.

Finish strong.

It is very interesting that Paul’s closing encouragement to Timothy was “preach the Word” (v.2). Paul’s request was to have his scrolls and parchments brought to his jail cell. Even approaching death, Paul was faithfully carrying out the mission God set before him.

Lord, empower me to be faithful to the end, for your glory.

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The Godly will be persecuted. It is vitally important for Christ-followers to fortify their faith by knowing and obeying God’s Word- especially as the pressure intensifies.

The early church was feeling the squeeze of persecution and it only got harder.

God fully equips his saints.

Nobody enjoys struggle- but that is part of this life.

Be equipped. Stay equipped.

This kind of encouragement helps us not be surprised when life is hard, because duh, it is! Deal with it! God equips us!

Father, I trust you no matter how difficult life becomes. Help me remember and rely on you.

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Avoid the wickedness of the last days!

Even though this kind of dirt existed in Paul and Timothy’s day, this behavior today is exponentially more common, normalized, and celebrated.

God’s character is the opposite of all of these traits.

Sin separated us from a right relationship with God.

Don’t conform to these patterns. Constantly have your mind renewed lest you fall into the most worn path (that resembles these character traits).

One would be hard pressed to argue that this isn’t the obvious direction of modern culture.

Father, thank your for your “otherness”. Help me find satisfaction in you and be transformed to look more and more like Jesus.

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The big takeaway here is don’t waste words and time on topics that are of little consequence.

False teachers and shallow faith were as common then as they are now.

God is sovereign and chooses whoever he wills to use for his glory.

There is no shortage of wickedness, false teacher, and those eager to follow them.

Avoid the foolishness mentioned here.

The summary of verses 22-26 is reject this sinful behavior, pursue the Lord with purity, and patiently help others do the same.

Lord, help me be gentle on #onpurpose like Jesus.

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Paul unloads three metaphors to help Timothy grasp how and why he needs to stand strong in the faith.

Metaphors only work if they are relatable. These were then and they are now.

God is always faithful.

We [I] need to be reminded of important truths that I already know but don’t think about or put into practice enough.

Be strong in grace.

There is some rich discussion to be had in these three metaphors.

Father, spiritually speaking, enable me to be a loyal soldier, a disciplined athlete, & a productive farmer for your glory.

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Paul establishes his letter with a strong greeting to encourage Timothy.

The tone here implies that Timothy was down about Paul’s imprisonment and how that was going to end.

God equips his servants with exactly what they need exactly when they need it.

It is easy to lose focus of God’s sovereign and omnipotent picture and be distracted by temporary hardships.

Focus on God and trust him above all.

Timothy’s “shame” wasn’t because of Paul, rather Paul’s circumstances. It just didn’t seem right that a faithful friend and mentor would suffer like this.

Father, no matter what circumstances I find myself in, may my focus be completely on you.

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