2 Timothy
Paul's last letter — a dying charge to a young leader: "preach the word," and keep the faith.
Overview
2 Timothy reads like a last letter. Writing from prison and expecting to die, Paul pours out final encouragement to his young colleague Timothy: guard the faith, endure hardship "as a good soldier," hold to the Scriptures, and above all "preach the word." It ends with Paul's own testimony: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course."
Book facts
- Author
- Paul (traditionally)Addressed from Paul to Timothy; part of the Pastoral Epistles, whose authorship is debated.
- Date written
- c. AD 64 (traditional)Written from prison, traditionally near the end of Paul's life.
- Original language
- GreekPersonal and urgent.
- Setting
- To Timothy, from prisonA mentor's final words to his protégé.
How it came to be
2 Timothy is addressed from Paul to Timothy. It is the most personal of the three Pastoral Epistles, written from prison.
Its tone is that of a farewell — Paul expects his life to end soon.
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What this chapter covers |
|---|---|
A final charge — endurance, the Scriptures, and "preach the word," chapters 1–4 | |
| Chapter 1The unfeigned faith | Paul reminds Timothy of his sincere faith and urges him not to be ashamed of the gospel. |
| Chapter 2The good soldier | Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ, and be a workman who rightly handles the truth. |
| Chapter 3The last days | A warning about the last days, and the value of the God-breathed Scriptures. |
| Chapter 4The finished course | "Preach the word"; and Paul's own testimony: "I have finished my course." |
All 4 chapters. Start reading →
Worth knowing
The apostle who wrote the letter, and the young leader it was written to.
Timothy was leading the church here.
Some of the best-known verses in 2 Timothy — tap the verse to read it.
- "All scripture is given by inspiration of God"2 Timothy 3:16
- "Preach the word"2 Timothy 4:2
- "I have fought a good fight"2 Timothy 4:7