Hey everybody this is Steve and this is a brief introduction to Paul's 2nd letter
to Timothy.
2 Timothy is one of the 13 epistles attributed to St Paul, and one of the 27 books and letters
that make up the New Testament canon.
The Apostle Paul is, of course, the author.
And, as you might guess, he wrote this letter to St Timothy.
Timothy was a very important person in Paul's life.
He's actually mentioned, by name, as a co-author in 6 of Paul's letters.
Timothy was born to a Jewish mother and, like Paul, was taught to read the Scripture, meaning
the Old Testament, daily.
This is one of the good practices that Paul encouraged in Timothy in the years ahead.
You see, Paul wrote his 2nd letter to Timothy while he was in jail in Rome, awaiting his
imminent martyrdom.
A majority of contemporary scholars date the letter to between the years 64 and 67AD.
And, though he asks Timothy to visit him in Rome and bring him a few things, this letter
is more than a simple correspondence between friends; it's a sort of spiritual testament,
something personal he wants to pass on to his spiritual son.
Paul loved Timothy, becoming his spiritual father when Timothy was still young.
Paul entrusted Timothy to join him in the important work of preaching and teaching,
traveling with Paul, writing letters with Paul.
Paul was a mentor and example to Timothy and, when he was ready, Paul left Timothy behind
in Ephesus to lead the Church there as bishop.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul speaks very highly of Timothy, saying he has no one
else like him.
And this fatherly love and tenderness is present throughout Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy, as
he prepares his spiritual son to continue his work even after Paul's martyrdom.
As we wrap it up, here are 2 things to keep in mind when you read to help give you a bit
of context and better understand Paul's second letter to Timothy.
First, Paul emphasizes the importance of focusing on the truth, remaining unwavering from the
gospel that has been preached to us.
The truth, he tells us, is a treasure given to us by the Holy Spirit that we, with God's
grace, should guard faithfully.
Paul tells Timothy, and us, that the Scripture can help keep us focused on the truth, even
when may be tempted by teachings that would lead us away from Christ and His gospel; when
we may, as Paul writes in the letter, have itching ears that seek teachers who will give
us the myths we desire rather than the truth we really need.
Since finding Christ in the Scripture is exactly what we're trying to do with Live the Word,
it's a really great lesson to keep in mind as we proceed.
And second, Paul makes no secret of the persecutions that are part of the Christian life.
Christ warned His disciples that, if the world persecuted Him then it would certainly persecute
them as well.
Because the servants are not greater than the master.
Similarly Paul, writing in chains, locked up in Rome, doesn't skip over the difficult
times in his ministry with Timothy.
In fact, he asks Timothy to come and see him once again in chains, this time for the last
time, because his martyrdom is imminent.
Yet just as Paul is certain that persecutions await both him and Timothy, he is also hopeful
in the deliverance that only the Lord can offer.
As you are reading along with us, keep these two points in mind: 1.
Our commitment to the Truth; and 2.
How we can respond to persecution with hope.
Tell us in the comments how you notice these two things as you begin to engage with the
Scripture; and then join us in our weekly video series, Live the Word.
Most importantly, I hope you'll celebrate with us this Sunday and every Sunday, to hear
the beautiful Scripture readings proclaimed during the Divine Liturgy and to learn how
you can Live the Word.
Thanks for watching.
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