Bullet Point Bible - 2 Timothy 1

Paul's Apostolic Greeting

¹ From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus,² to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

Paul immediately establishes his God-given authority as an "apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God."
His apostleship is directly linked to proclaiming the "promise of life in Christ Jesus," setting a hopeful tone despite his circumstances.
The address "my dear child" conveys deep personal affection and highlights the spiritual father-son relationship between Paul and Timothy.
The expanded greeting "grace, mercy, and peace" (compared to Paul's usual "grace and peace") is characteristic of the Pastoral Epistles, perhaps reflecting the difficult circumstances faced by Timothy.
Blessing is sourced equally from "God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord," affirming Christ's divinity and co-equality with the Father.
This formal yet affectionate opening grounds the following exhortations in apostolic authority and divine blessing.

Thanksgiving for Timothy's Faith and Call to Fan the Flame

³ I 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.⁴ As I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.⁵ I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.⁶ Because of this I remind you to rekindle God's gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands.⁷ For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Paul expresses gratitude for Timothy, emphasizing his constant prayers, showing deep pastoral care even from prison.
He connects his service to God with his Jewish heritage ("as my ancestors did"), suggesting continuity in faithful worship.
Timothy's faith is described as "sincere" (Greek: *anypokritou*, unhypocritical), a genuine faith passed down through his maternal line (Lois and Eunice, cf. Acts 16:1).
This legacy of faith serves as both an encouragement and a basis for Paul's challenge to Timothy.
The core exhortation here is to "rekindle God's gift" (Greek: *anazōpyrein*, stir up the embers), implying Timothy's spiritual gift for ministry needed renewed vigor, possibly due to intimidation or hardship.
The "laying on of my hands" likely refers to Timothy's ordination or commissioning for ministry (cf. 1 Tim 4:14).
Paul provides the theological antidote to fear: the Holy Spirit empowers believers with "power (*dynamis*), love (*agapē*), and self-control (*sōphronismos*)," not timidity (*deilia*).
This reminder of the Spirit's nature is foundational for the call to boldness in the face of suffering.

Do Not Be Ashamed: The Gospel's Power and Purpose

⁸ So 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.⁹ He 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,¹⁰ but 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!¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.

Building on the Spirit's empowerment (v. 7), Paul directly commands Timothy: "do not be ashamed" (*mē epaisynthēis*).
This shame could relate to the gospel message itself or to association with Paul, who was imprisoned for that message.
The positive command is to "join... in suffering for the gospel" (*synkakopathēson*), indicating that hardship is an expected part of faithful ministry.
Suffering is to be endured "by the power of God," linking back to the Spirit's provision (v. 7).
Verses 9-10 provide a rich, condensed summary of the gospel:
Paul reaffirms his divine commission ("appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher") specifically for this gospel, justifying his suffering and authority.
Understanding the nature and basis of the gospel is key to overcoming shame and embracing suffering for it.

Paul's Confidence and Timothy's Responsibility

¹² Because 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.¹³ Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.¹⁴ Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

Paul presents himself as a model of unashamed suffering, rooted in his personal relationship with Christ ("I know the one...").
His confidence (*pepeismai*) rests not in himself, but in God's power to "protect what has been entrusted to me" (*tēn parathēkēn mou phylaxai*).
This "deposit" (*parathēkē*) likely refers to the gospel message, Paul's life/soul, or the fruit of his ministry, kept safe until "that day" (Christ's return/judgment).
Paul charges Timothy to "Hold to the standard (*hypotypōsin*) of sound words"—the reliable pattern of apostolic teaching he received.
Faithfulness requires not just doctrinal adherence but also "the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
Timothy receives a parallel charge: "Protect that good thing entrusted to you" (*tēn kalēn parathēkēn phylaxon*), referring specifically to the gospel deposit.
This vital task is accomplished not by human effort alone, but "through the Holy Spirit who lives in us," again linking faithfulness to divine empowerment.
The concept of guarding the apostolic "deposit" is central to the Pastoral Epistles' concern for doctrinal fidelity.

Contrasting Examples: Desertion and Loyalty

¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment.¹⁷ But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me.¹⁸ May 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.

Paul uses real-life examples to illustrate the choice between faithfulness and desertion in difficult times.
The widespread desertion by those "in the province of Asia" (likely referring to believers known to Timothy from that region) highlights the pressure and danger associated with Paul.
Phygelus and Hermogenes are named as specific, perhaps prominent, examples of those who abandoned Paul.
Onesiphorus (meaning "profit-bringer") stands in stark contrast as a model of loyalty and courage.
He "often refreshed" Paul, providing practical support and encouragement in prison.
Significantly, Onesiphorus "was not ashamed of my chains," directly embodying the faithfulness Paul urged upon Timothy (v. 8).
His "diligent search" for Paul in Rome underscores the personal risk he took.
Paul's prayer for mercy for Onesiphorus "on that day" (the day of judgment) and the focus on his household have led some scholars to believe Onesiphorus may have died by this time.
Mentioning Onesiphorus's prior service in Ephesus reinforces his consistent character.
These contrasting figures serve as a powerful, practical lesson for Timothy, urging him to emulate the loyalty of Onesiphorus.

The Bullet Point Bible

2 Timothy 1