2 Timothy — Chapter 1

Loading ESV text...

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.

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

2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day

4longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also.

6For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

7For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

8Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;

9who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

10but hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

11whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.

12For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.

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

14That good thing which was committed unto [thee] guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.

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

16The Lord grant 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 diligently, and found me

18(the Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

1From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

2to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

3I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day.

4As I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

5I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.

6Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands.

7For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.

9He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

10but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!

11For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.

12Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.

13Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

14Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

15You know that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment.

17But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me.

18May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.

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

2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day

4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.

6For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

8Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,

9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

11For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.

13Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,

17but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me

18(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Paul urges Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God within him, not to be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul's chains, and to guard the good deposit by the Holy Spirit — for God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul the Apostle (v.1). Written from prison in Rome, approximately AD 66-67. This is Paul's final letter — written shortly before his execution under Emperor Nero. Unlike his first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28, a rented house), this is a cold dungeon (4:13, 21). Paul knows death is near (4:6).
Recipient: Timothy — Paul's "dearly beloved son" (v.2). Still in Ephesus, facing opposition and perhaps growing discouraged. Paul writes to strengthen him for the challenges ahead.
Purpose: Paul's last will and testament to his spiritual son. He encourages Timothy to be bold (not ashamed), to guard the gospel deposit, to endure suffering, and to continue faithful ministry. The letter is deeply personal — a dying father's final words to his son.
Theme: Endurance in ministry despite suffering, opposition, and abandonment. "Be not ashamed" echoes throughout (vv.8, 12, 16).

Map & Geography

  • Rome (v.17): Capital of the Roman Empire that ruled Israel in NT times.
  • Ephesus (v.18): Major city in Asia Minor (modern Turkey); location of a key early church.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers Paul's encouragement to Timothy, the spirit of power, unashamed testimony, and guarding the deposit.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "I Know Whom I Have Believed" on v.12 (MTP Vol. 5, No. 265) "I KNOW — not 'I hope,' not 'I think,' not 'I wish' — I know. WHOM I have believed — not what, but whom. A person, not a doctrine. And I am PERSUADED — fully convinced, settled, unshakeable. That HE IS ABLE — not that I am able, but He is. To KEEP — guard, protect, preserve. That which I have committed — my soul, my life, my eternity. Against THAT DAY — the day of judgment. This is the confidence of a man about to die." Sermon: "Power, Love, and a Sound Mind" on v.7 (MTP Vol. 29, No. 1713) "Not the spirit of fear — cowardice, timidity, shrinking back. But power — to do what must be done. Love — to do it with the right motive. A sound mind — to do it with wisdom and self-control. These three cover everything a minister needs: strength for the task, love for the people, and wisdom for the decisions."

Videos

The Bible Project — 2 Timothy Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "Stir up the gift of God" (v.6). Is your spiritual gift burning brightly or smoldering? What would it look like to "fan it into flame" — to actively cultivate and use what God has given you?
  • 2. "God hath not given us the spirit of fear" (v.7). Where does fear hold you back — fear of failure, rejection, suffering, or the future? Remember: that fear is NOT from God. He gives power, love, and a sound mind.
  • 3. "Be not ashamed" (v.8). Are you ever ashamed of the gospel — in your workplace, with certain friends, in public? What would bold, unashamed faith look like in your context?
  • 4. "I know whom I have believed" (v.12). Can you say this with Paul's confidence? Is your faith in a Person (Christ) or just in principles? Do you KNOW Him?
  • 5. "Hold fast the form of sound words" (v.13). Are you guarding sound doctrine? In a world of shifting beliefs, what are you holding fast to? How do you evaluate what you hear?