August 23, 2026: A Leader With A Legacy | 2 Timothy 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 2:14-15

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6: 11-12).

Imagine you are imprisoned and sentenced to death.  You know your  time left on earth is short.  The keepers of the prison pay you little attention; you won’t be alive long.  You are cold.  You are deprived.  You are in terrible living conditions.  Your sentence of judgement is not for having murdered anyone, for stealing or for any number of legitimate crimes that warrant death.  You  are simply in prison because people don’t like you.  They disagree with what you believe.  You are turning things upside down and ruining the religious and political system of greed and authority.  What is your crime? You have shared your convictions about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This same Jesus that you declare to be the son of God, the fulfillment of the ceremonial law of Moses, the promised Messiah. 

 Our lesson today is about a younger minister - Timothy.  It is thought that Timothy became a convert on Paul’s second missionary trip through Lystra sometime between 49-52 AD. The dating of this letter (2 Timothy)  is generally believed to be 64-67 AD. Nero is on the throne in Rome.  Paul is in prison.  This is believed to be the last letter that Paul wrote. 

Timothy has been training under Paul and acting as his emissary to the newly established churches for about 15 years.  Paul has sent Timothy to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 4:17), to the Phillipian church (Phillipians 2:19) and to Ephesus (1Timothy 1:3). Paul knows that any day, they will come to kill him.  Paul writes a letter to his  younger protege to remind Timothy of all the important things he needs to know, to focus on truth, to finish his own course fighting a good fight, to beware of those that hinder the cause of Christ.   As we study this lesson, consider what kind of letter you might write if you knew it would be the last one.  What would you want to be sure to share with those you love, as the most important things to remember  in your absence?  

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,  To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

As far as we know, Paul was not married and did not have children.  Scriptures mention his nephew (though not by name), and the two individuals that Paul mentored,   Titus and Timothy.  Timothy has two letters in the New Testament and is considered to be a very dear "spiritual son” of Paul.  But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. (Phillipians 2:19-22).

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

Timothy’s father was Greek.  His mother and grandmother were jewish converts to christianity.  Timothy was brought up in the scriptures from an early age.  Paul understands  his imprisonment and what is about to happen to him, will be very hard on Timothy.  Yet he asks for Timothy to come and see him.  We will see later that Paul also asks for his cloak and his writing supplies and will warn Timothy of individuals that will do him more harm than good.  

In Paul’s imprisonment, he prays for Timothy- continually. The scripture Timothy has learned at the hands of his mother and grandmother and his conversion to Christianity are not to be tossed aside or forgotten. Paul encourages Timothy to embrace the gift/abilities  that God has given to him. Paul believes in Timothy’s ability to carry on the work that Paul will be leaving. Reminding Timothy of Paul’s “laying on of hands” as an act of dedication to a spiritual purpose and  proof of his confidence in the younger preacher.  Timothy is not to be afraid. Timothy is not to become ashamed of what he knows and believes about Jesus  or what he knows is true about his mentor. There will be many who will discredit both.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 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; 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, 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:(2 Timothy 1:7-10).

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Timothy’s  belief in Jesus, his understanding of God’s faithfulness and the truth of God’s word are foundational. Paul encourages Timothy to value God’s word above all things, to defend it, and to rightly interpret it. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).   Paul’s instructions on preaching will follow.  

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4: 2-5).

These words are still often  used today by many church organizations during the ordination ceremonies for new preachers.  The instructions to Timothy are the same instructions to preachers today. 

Timothy learned from the life and death of Paul.  Timothy, like many others will suffer persecutions because of his faith and commitment to Jesus. Tradition says that Timothy died in Ephesus. He died a martyr beaten to death by those celebrating a pagan festival.  His death is said to have taken place around 97 AD just after the exile of John to the Isle of Patmos.  

There are many christians today that are being slandered/ruined,  imprisoned, and killed for exactly the same reasons as Paul.  Today beliefs in  false Gods, that man is his own God or that there is simply no such thing as God, is common.   As Paul continued writing in 2 Timothy, he gave us a warning, a sign if you will, of what to watch for and how bad things would get.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3: 1-7).

This should perk up our ears just a little.  We are now in such a time. In another place, we find scripture saying  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:22) Then as now, many do not like the christian ideology of submitting oneself to Jesus the son of God and living under His authority. However, it is still our job to stand on His word, proclaim His truth.

 God help us as the bride of Christ, to not forget the ones suffering today for the cause of Christ!  Who are you mentoring and encouraging in the work?  Who will carry on when you are gone?  Let our lives be our letter!

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!