Consideration of Paul’s Epistles
- Pioneer – Historical Interval of Acts
- Gospel, Gathering, Glory (Gal, Rom, 1&2 Cor, 1&2 Thess)
- Prisoner – House Imprisonment in Rome
- Ephesians – Position
- Colossians – Preeminence of the Head
- Philippians – Practices of Local Assembly
- Philemon – Piety of Individual
- Pastoral – Hovering Imminence of Death
- 1 Timothy – Behavior in the House – Protect the Doctrine
- Titus – Beautifying the House – Practice the Doctrine
- 2 Timothy – Balance of the Man of God – Preach the Doctrine
Character of 2 Timothy
- Pastoral letter
- Paternal
- Prison
- Parting letter – Farewell addresses: Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David, the Lord Jesus, and now Paul
- Prophetic
- Practical
Circumstances Which Motivated the Letter
- Imprisonment of Paul – these are his last words for last times
- Inconsistency of all in Asia
- Inroads of Evil – Christianity was on the verge of annihilation, humanly speaking
- Imminence of his death
Concerns in Writing
- Impart Courage
- Inspire Devotion
- Instruct Doctrinally
- Influence for God
Contents
Ch.1 – Loyalty – Don’t be Discouraged by Defection
Ch.2 – Labor – Don’t be Distracted by the Demand
Ch.3 – Learn the Truth – Don’t be Deceived by Deceivers
Ch.4 – Likeness – Don’t be Delinquent in your Duty
Or
Ch.1 – Man of God and His Trust – Fidelity
Ch.2 – Man of God and His Tests – Sanctity
Ch.3 – Man of God and His Treasure – Sufficiency
Ch.4 – Man of God and His Triumph – Ministry
Common Words and Thoughts
- God our Savior, Christ our Savior; faithful sayings, teacher, teaching, doctrine, deposit, good works, godliness
- Elijah’s mantle passed to Elisha; notice the cloak of ch.4
- Trace: Paul, a picture of Christ – forgotten, falsely accused and misunderstood, persecuted, forsaken
- Bequests: An Unfailing Savior; Sure Foundation; Infallible Guide; Confident Hope
- Someone has outlined chapter 1 as Stir Up, Stand Up, Speak Up
Assembly Imperatives
- Having the Truth (1:14; 2:15) – assembly must be a place where “pillar and ground” character is seen; truth of God preserved and maintained there. Will need to be some who are willing to “study…”
- Hold the Truth (1:13) – goes beyond simply knowing the truth of God but allowing that truth to shape and control everything we do as an assembly.
- Hand Down the Truth (2:2) – handing it down to another generation. Truth does not die with us. We are responsible as stewards to hand it down. God will maintain it (divine side – 2:19), but we must also be responsible in our handing down.
- Herald the Truth (4:1-3)
Family Influences
- A Life of Faith (1:4-5) in a mother and grandmother. It was:
- Real – could be seen in day-to-day life
- Resident (“dwelt”) – i.e., it was at home; nothing put on for show
- Reigning – controlled every decision and choice; controlled the character of the home
- Reproducing – seen in three generations; salvation and faith not inherited but a life of faith may beget a life of faith (eg., Moses’ parents and Moses)
- A Legacy of Faithfulness (1:16-18) – Onesiphorus: What legacy do I leave my children?
- Care for others – where will children learn this if not from parents first
- Courage of Convictions – put his own life on the line for others despite having a family and what it might mean for them
- Concern – “sought me out very diligently” – not an easy task; meant effort and problems
- Consistency – in both Ephesus and Rome
Personal Ingredients (ch.1)
- Consciousness of Divine Purposes
- He was Fitted (v6)
- He was Fortified (v7) – God will enable for His service
- His service was Framed by God (v9) – invests my labor with eternal value
- Confidence in Divine Power
- He is able to Preserve Truth in the future (v12) – Sovereignty of God
- He is able to Preserve Testimony in the present (v14) – Responsibility of the Servant
- Courage Amidst Human Opposition
- Difficulties to be Faced (v8)
- Desertions to be Feared (v15)
- Consistency of Character
- Unfeigned Faith (v5)
- Unfaltering Grace (2:1)
- Unfailing Love (1:1)
