THE PARENTHETIC PERSONAL EPISTLES

2 TIMOTHY

Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, is perhaps the last letter from his pen.

In all his other epistles he looks forward to further service.  Now he tells Timothy that he had finished his career. “ I have contended the ideal contest, I have finished my career, I have kept the faith” 2Tim. 4:7. 

The period of his disillusionment was imminent. “For I have already a libation, and the period of my dissolution is imminent.” 2 Tim 4:6. The whole epistle takes character from this fact.

· The first epistle was probably written at that great crisis in the apostle’s ministry, when he first formed his purpose to go to Rome. ( Acts 19:21 )

             Its subject is service.  Its object was the organisation of   

             the ecclesias to uphold God’s truth.

· The subject of the second epistle is suffering. “Suffer evil with me as an ideal soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 2:3.

The ecclesias themselves had become filled with evil. Separation from the evil becomes the duty of all who wish to please God.

The Lord’s ‘slaves’ should especially prize this letter in these last days, for the apostasy which began even in Paul’s time has become worse with each succeeding century.

The practical question, “How shall we serve in the midst of  present day departure?” is fully answered in this, Paul’s last letter.

The remedy for the present distress is clearly shown in the literary framework.

· The epistle proper begins with an exhortation to have the pattern of sound words. “Have a pattern of sound words, which you hear from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”  2 Tim. 1:13.

· It’s central subject contains the command to “CORRECTLY PARTITION” the word of truth. “Endeavour to present yourself to God, qualified, an unashamed worker, correctly partitioning the word of truth”. 2 Tim.2:15.

· It closes with the charge to proclaim the word. “Proclaim the word, standby it, opportunely, inopportunely, expose, rebuke, entreat, with all patience and teaching”. 2 Tim. 4:2.

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES ARE THE ONE GREAT NEED FOR THESE DEGENERATE DAYS.

“All scripture is inspired by God, and is beneficial for teaching, for exposure, for correction, for discipline in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped, fitted out for every good act. “

2 Timothy 3;16,17.

The aim of each believer should be to furnish a pattern of sound words without which the truth will elude us, and to correctly partition the truth, assigning each truth it’s proper place, out of which it becomes dangerous error.