2 TimothyStudy Guide

Chapter 1

Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.

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Scripture

KJV

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3I 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;

4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5When 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.

6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8Be 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;

9Who 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,

10But 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:

11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12For 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.

13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18The 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.

Key Verse2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Overview

Paul writes from prison to his beloved son Timothy, stirring him up to fan into flame the gift of God that is in him. He reminds Timothy that God has not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind, and encourages him not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul as a prisoner. Paul holds up the pattern of sound words and commits the deposit of the gospel to Timothy's faithful keeping through the Holy Spirit.

Key Themes

1

The Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

God's gift to believers is not a spirit of timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline, equipping them for courageous faithfulness.

2

Unashamed Testimony

Paul calls Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or of suffering for it, but to partake of afflictions according to the power of God.

3

Guarding the Deposit

The precious deposit of sound doctrine entrusted to Timothy is to be held fast and guarded by the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers.

Study Questions

1.

How does the truth that 'God hath not given us the spirit of fear' (v. 7) address the fears you face?

2.

What does it mean to 'stir up the gift of God' (v. 6) that is in you?

3.

Why is Paul so insistent that Timothy not be 'ashamed of the testimony of our Lord' (v. 8)?

4.

How does Paul's description of God's purpose and grace 'given us in Christ Jesus before the world began' (v. 9) encourage you?

5.

What does it mean to 'hold fast the form of sound words' (v. 13)?

Connection to Christ

Paul declares that God's grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began, and is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (vv. 9-10).

Personal Reflection

Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 2 Timothy 1. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?

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