Faith remembered and the gift stirred
2 Timothy 1:1–7FocusEncouragement without fear
Connection to the wholePaul's remembrance of Timothy's faith leads to the call to stir up God's gift rather than yield to fear.
interpretation 2 Timothy 1:9
KJVWho hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Read it in context
Opening Salutation, Thanksgiving, and Exhortation
Start reading at 2 Timothy 1:1 (2 Timothy 1:1 to 2 Timothy 1:18).
This section serves as the introduction to the letter, establishing Paul's authority, his relationship with Timothy, and the foundational truths upon which his subsequent instructions are built.
- 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
- 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
- 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
- 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
- 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
- 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
- 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
- 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
- 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
- 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
- 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
- 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
- 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
- 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
- 1:17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
- 1:18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Paul is the named author, traditionally understood as writing to Timothy late in his ministry. Biblical references: 2 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 4:6. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Timothy 1:1–4:22): Paul addresses Timothy personally, urging faithful teaching and endurance and asking him to come; coworkers and opponents are named in the circumstances he describes. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Timothy, called Paul's dearly beloved son, with instructions he is to entrust to other faithful teachers. Biblical references: 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:2. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main theme is God's sovereign act of saving and calling believers, which is rooted in His eternal purpose and grace, and is not based on human works.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing that salvation and a holy calling are entirely His initiative, established in His pre-world purpose and grace given in Christ Jesus, independent of human merit or works.
- What is the literary style? The literary style is a pastoral epistle, characterized by personal instruction, encouragement, and exhortation from an apostle to a younger minister.
When
- When was it written? Approximately A.D. 66 to 67.
- When does the event take place? God's purpose and grace were given "before the world began," and His saving and calling of believers occur in time, made manifest by the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Where
- Where did it happen? The spiritual event of God's purpose and grace was established "before the world began." The manifestation of this grace occurred through Christ's appearing.
- Where was the author located? Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote this letter.
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Opening Salutation, Thanksgiving, and Exhortation (2 Timothy 1:1 to 2 Timothy 1:18). Start reading at 2 Timothy 1:1. This section serves as the introduction to the letter, establishing Paul's authority, his relationship with Timothy, and the foundational truths upon which his subsequent instructions are built.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse provides the theological foundation for Paul's exhortations to Timothy in the surrounding passage. Because God has saved and called believers by His power and grace, Timothy should not be ashamed of the gospel or Paul's imprisonment, but rather stir up his gift and hold fast to sound words. interpretation
- How does it point to Christ? The verse explicitly states that God's purpose and grace were "given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," and this grace was "now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." Christ is the agent and revelation of God's eternal plan of salvation. stated in the text
- How do I apply it today? Believers today can find assurance and motivation in knowing that their salvation and calling are not dependent on their own imperfect works, but on God's unchangeable purpose and abundant grace, established in Christ before time began. This should encourage steadfastness in faith and service, even amidst suffering or opposition. interpretation
Cited: 2 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 1:14, 2 Timothy 1:15, 2 Timothy 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:18
Who wrote it, and how we know
Paul the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysPaul names himself in the opening verse.
2 Timothy 1:1
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Paul.
What is debatedGrouped with the other Pastorals in the critical discussion above.
Related passages
- hath Matt 1:21 Acts 2:47 1 Cor 1:18 Eph 2:5,8 1 Tim 1:1 Titus 3:4-5
- called Rom 8:28,30 Rom 9:24 1 Thess 4:7 2 Thess 2:13-14 Heb 3:1 1 Pet 1:15-16 1 Pet 2:9 1 Pet 2:20-21
- not Rom 3:20 Rom 9:11 Rom 11:5-6 Eph 2:9 Titus 3:5
- according to his Deut 7:7-8 Isa 14:26-27 Matt 11:25-26 Luke 10:21 Rom 8:28 Eph 1:9,11
- which John 6:37 John 10:28-29 John 17:9 1 Cor 3:21-22 Eph 1:3
- before John 17:24 Acts 15:18 Rom 16:25 Eph 1:4 Eph 3:11 Titus 1:2 1 Pet 1:20 Rev 13:8
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
2 Timothy 1
Paul writes to Timothy from a setting of suffering and approaching death, urging him to preserve and teach the received message. The personal charge repeatedly joins sound doctrine with endurance and conduct.
2 Timothy 1:1 2 Timothy 1:2 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 4:6
FocusThe gospel and the entrusted pattern
Connection to the wholePaul connects willingness to suffer with God's saving purpose and urges Timothy to keep sound words and the trust through the Holy Ghost.
interpretation Contrasting responses to Paul
2 Timothy 1:15–18FocusDesertion and loyal service
Connection to the wholeThe named examples place the preceding call to courage beside actual cases of abandonment and unashamed care.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
2 Timothy
Paul writes to Timothy from a setting of suffering and approaching death, urging him to preserve and teach the received message. The personal charge repeatedly joins sound doctrine with endurance and conduct.
2 Timothy 1:1 2 Timothy 1:2 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 4:6
FocusCourage and faithful keeping
Connection to the wholePaul recalls Timothy's faith and gift, urging him not to be ashamed and to guard the trust through the Holy Ghost.
interpretation The faithful worker
2 Timothy 2:1–26FocusTransmission, endurance, and gentle correction
Connection to the wholeImages of disciplined service lead into directions for teaching, personal holiness, and patient treatment of opponents.
interpretation Difficult times and the Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:1–17FocusDiscernment and continued learning
Connection to the wholePaul warns about corrupt conduct and deception, then directs Timothy to continue in what he has learned through the holy Scriptures.
interpretation The final charge and farewell
2 Timothy 4:1–22FocusPreaching and finishing the course
Connection to the wholeThe command to preach is set beside Paul's approaching death and personal instructions concerning fellow workers and needs.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.