Revised by Mary Hinkle Shore, 10/23
SUMMARY
The ApostleDerived from a Greek word meaning “one who is sent,” an apostle is a person who embraces and advocates another person’s idea or beliefs. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus called twelve apostles to follow and serve him. Paul became an apostle of Jesus… More PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More addresses TimothyThe companion on Paul’s later journeys for whom two pastoral epistles are named. More as his “beloved child” and speaks of him as one whom he has ordained. This letter begins and unfolds as the most intimate of the three so-called Pastoral EpistlesThe Pastoral Epistles are the New Testament letters of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. They are described as pastoral because they are addressed to individual persons rather than churches; they deal with matters of leadership and church governance. More, which also include 1 Timothy and Titus. In its references to Paul and his suffering, the Second Letter to Timothy appears to have been written, at least in part, to elicit sympathy for the apostle. The letter is an exhortation not to be ashamed of the gospel and to stand firm even if that would mean suffering on its behalf.
SO WHAT?
The primary sources on the life and theology of the Apostle Paul are his seven undisputed letters (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon). The utility of the Acts of the Apostles as a secondary source has been disputed by scholars. 2 Timothy has also been important for understanding Paul, portraying him as an apostle who was not only a proclaimer of the gospel but one who was willing to suffer for it. Paul is portrayed as the ideal Christian and apostle.
WHERE DO I FIND IT?
The Second Letter to Timothy is the 16th book in the New Testament. Clustered with 1 Timothy and Titus (the other two “Pastoral Epistles”), it stands near the end of the “Pauline corpusThe Pauline corpus is the body of New Testament letters known to have been written by the apostle Paul. The seven epistles generally accepted as being by Paul are 1 Thessalonians, Philippians, Philemon, Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Romans. The authorship of the remaining… More,” the collection of letters attributed to the Apostle Paul (the books of Romans through Philemon).
WHO WROTE IT?
According to the letter, it was written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned at Rome to Timothy, who appears to be at Ephesus. Yet, this letter is generally regarded as pseudonymous, meaning that it was written after the death of Paul by an anonymous writer who sought to impersonate Paul in a post-Pauline situation.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?
The Second Letter to Timothy is widely considered to be pseudonymous, written after the death of the Apostle Paul. Since the letter has terminology that is found generally in certain Christian writings of the second century, it is considered to have been written late in the first century or even early in the second.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
By appealing for Timothy to imitate the Apostle Paul, who is in prison and faces possible martyrdom, the Second Letter to Timothy prescribes sound teaching, opposition to false teaching, and good order in the church.
HOW DO I READ IT?
Read the letter as one written to impersonate Paul in a situation that the author faced in his own time and place. Seeking to represent Paul to give authority to what he has to say, the author calls upon readers (ostensibly Timothy, but implicitly a wider audience) to imitate Paul in his fidelity to the gospel, even in trying circumstances. In order to do this letter justice, one should read it (as well as the other Pastoral Epistles) in light of the seven undisputed letters of Paul, where one finds quite different emphases and teachings.
