2 Timothy — Chapter 1

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1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life 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 with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.

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

5I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

9He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

10And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,

11to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

12For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

13Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

14Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

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

16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.

17Indeed, when he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me.

18May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day. You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.

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
Articles
Reflection

Summary

Paul greets Timothy, his beloved son in the faith, and recalls praying for him constantly, longing to see him, and remembering the sincere faith passed down from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (vv. 1-5). He urges Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God given through Paul's laying on of hands, since God has given believers a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline (vv. 6-7). Timothy should not be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul's imprisonment, but share in suffering for it, relying on God who saved and called believers by His own grace, now revealed through Christ's appearing, who abolished death and brought life to light (vv. 8-10). Paul, though suffering for his appointed role as preacher and teacher, is unashamed because he trusts God to guard what he's entrusted to Him (vv. 11-12), and he charges Timothy to hold to sound teaching and guard that same good deposit by the Holy Spirit (vv. 13-14). He closes by noting that many in Asia deserted him, but praises Onesiphorus, who searched him out in Rome and faithfully served him (vv. 15-18).

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).
Classification: Epistle — Pauline, Pastoral Epistle
Key Themes: Faith inherited through a grandmother and a mother, a gift needing to be stirred into flame, power and love and a sound mind against fear, a deposit committed and kept, and companions who turned away while one man did not
Greeting and a Remembered Household (vv.1-5): This is almost certainly the last of Paul's surviving letters, written from a harder imprisonment than the first. He recalls Timothy's tears and traces his faith through Lois and Eunice, grandmother and mother. Citing two women as the pedigree for a man holding contested office is unusual, and it is offered as genuine ground for confidence rather than as warmth before business.
Stir Up the Gift (v.6): The verb describes fanning a fire back into flame, which presupposes embers rather than ashes. The gift is present and needs rousing, not replacing. That Paul has to say it at all suggests Timothy had gone quiet under exactly the pressure the rest of the chapter goes on to name.
Not Fear, But Power, Love, and a Sound Mind (v.7): The alternative to fear comes in three terms, and the third is not what a list about courage would predict: a sound mind, self-command, clear judgment. Courage here is not a surge of feeling but the composure to keep thinking straight, which is the first thing a frightened leader loses.
Be Not Ashamed of the Testimony (vv.8-11): Shame is the chapter's real subject and it is named outright. Timothy is told to take his share of affliction rather than avoid it, on the ground of a purpose given “before the world began” and a Saviour who “hath abolished death”. Paul states his appointment as preacher and apostle in the same breath as his chains, declining to treat the two as contradicting each other.
I Know Whom I Have Believed (v.12): The confidence rests on a person rather than an outcome — “I know whom I have believed”, not what. Whether the thing kept is what Paul entrusted to God or what God entrusted to Paul, the grammar permits both, and the next verse turns the same term around so that Timothy is holding a deposit of his own.
Keep the Deposit (vv.13-14): The pattern of sound words is to be held onto, and “that good thing which was committed unto thee” is guarded by the Holy Ghost rather than by vigilance alone. The image is of goods left with a custodian: valuable, and not his. That is how the letter treats doctrine throughout — something received and passed on intact rather than developed.
Onesiphorus, and Those Who Turned Away (vv.15-18): The chapter ends with names. All those in Asia turned away, Phygellus and Hermogenes among them. Set against that, Onesiphorus searched Rome until he found Paul and “was not ashamed of my chain” — the same word as v.8, which is why the story sits here rather than in the closing greetings. He refreshed Paul often, and the wish for mercy on his household reads like a man who had learned to count his visitors.

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.

Places on this map

  • RomeRome, ItalyFifteen miles up the Tiber from its port at Ostia, about 1,400 miles from Jerusalem by sea and road. Reaching it is the destination Acts is aimed at from chapter one, because from Rome the roads ran everywhere else. Wikipedia
  • Ephesusnear Selcuk, TurkeyThe largest port of Roman Asia, at the mouth of the Cayster on the west coast of Asia Minor, and home to the temple of Artemis. Its harbour silted up and the ruins now sit several miles inland, which is why a great seaport has no sea. Wikipedia
  • Asia MinorTurkeyThe peninsula between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, a high dry plateau ringed by mountains with the Greek cities on its western coast. Roman Asia, the province Paul worked from Ephesus, was only its western end. Wikipedia

Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers Paul's encouragement to Timothy, the spirit of power, unashamed testimony, and guarding the deposit.
  • Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
  • Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.

Videos

Book of 2 Timothy Summary: A Complete Animated Overview
BibleProject

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13 | The Apostle Paul’s Last Letter | Bible Study
Spoken Gospel

1 & 2 Timothy: The Bible Explained
Spoken Gospel

2 Timothy 1:1-12 - A Spirit of Boldness
David Guzik

2 Timothy 1:13-2:13 - Holding Fast to a Faithful God
David Guzik

Articles

  • GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of 2 Timothy -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.

Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.

Reflection

  • Stirring Up the Gift Within You (v.6) — Paul urges Timothy to actively fan into flame the gift God placed in him rather than letting it go dormant. What has God equipped you to do that you've let go cold from neglect?
  • Power, Love, and a Sound Mind (v.7) — Paul reminds Timothy that fear isn't from God; what He gives instead is strength, love, and self-control. Where is fear currently shaping your decisions more than these three things are?
  • Unashamed of the Gospel (v.8) — Paul calls Timothy to share in suffering for the gospel rather than shy away from association with it. Is there a setting in your life where you quietly downplay your faith to avoid discomfort?
  • Confidence in a Person, Not Just a Belief (v.12) — Even facing death, Paul's confidence rests not in what he knows but in whom he has trusted. Is your faith built on a real relationship with Christ, or mostly on ideas about Him?
  • Holding to Sound Teaching (v.13) — Paul tells Timothy to keep a firm grip on the pattern of truth he was taught. What are you actively doing to hold onto sound teaching amid competing voices?