2 Timothy 1: Stir Up the Gift
Why was the promise of life in Jesus so popular among the enslaved, the poor, and the afflicted?
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2 Timothy 1:1–2 Paul, God’s special messenger of Christ, sent to tell people about the promise of life in Jesus, is writing to his beloved son Timothy. May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ bring you favor, mercy, and peace.
King James
2 Timothy 1:1–2 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.
Why were Paul and Timothy such good friends?
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2 Timothy 1:3–4 For you I praise God, whom my ancestors worshiped with pure hearts, and I always mention you in my prayers. I remember your tears when we parted, and my heart will overflow with joy when I see you again.
King James
2 Timothy 1:3–4 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;
How are people influenced by the examples of others?
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2 Timothy 1:5 When I think about the unwavering faith I saw in your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice, I am convinced that you have the same commitment to Christ.
King James
2 Timothy 1:5 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.
What does it mean to “stir up God’s gift”? How do we do that?
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2 Timothy 1:6 So don’t forget to stir up God’s gift that you received through the laying on of my hands.
King James
2 Timothy 1:6 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.
If God’s not responsible, where does fear come from?
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Psalm 23:4 As I walk through the most trying times of my life, a dark valley of the shadow of death, I still don’t have to fear, because you’re at my side. Like a shepherd who protects his lambs, your rod and your staff keep me safe.
Psalm 27:1 Lord, you are my light of knowledge, wisdom, and inspiration. You are my salvation from all that would pull me down, so who is left for me to fear? My life is in your hands, so I have no reason to be afraid.
Romans 8:31 What does all this mean to us? With God fighting for us, we cannot lose as long as we maintain our desire to please him.
2 Timothy 1:7 A spirit of fear is not from God, for in him we have power, love, and a sound mind.
King James
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Why might Christians be ashamed of the gospel?
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Romans 1:16 With great pride, I declare the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, for it has the power to restore our fellowship with God, beginning with the Jews and then reaching out to everyone else.
Romans 5:5 No matter where we are, how much or how little we might have, or what transgressions might be a part of our past, we need not be ashamed, because God’s love for us is made obvious in his gift of the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts.
2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore, don’t hesitate to tell how God has changed your life. Don’t be ashamed of the message you heard from me, his prisoner. In his mighty power, accept whatever afflictions come from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
King James
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2 Timothy 1:8 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;
What do good works have to do with our salvation?
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2 Timothy 1:9 To fulfill God’s purpose before the world began, we were saved by grace and called to good works in Christ Jesus.
James 2:14–18 My friends, what good is a declaration of faith if you don’t have the actions that show you really believe? Can words alone save you? Suppose a brother or sister has no coat and nothing to eat. If people say, “You have my blessing. Go in peace and be warm and satisfied,” but they do nothing to help, what did they gain? So you see, a declaration of faith alone is dead without the actions that give it life. If someone said, “Faith and works exist independently, so show me your faith apart from works,” I would say, “That’s impossible. Only my actions can reveal what I truly believe.”
King James
2 Timothy 1:9 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,
James 2:14–18 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
How did Jesus’ coming make God’s purpose obvious?
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John 10:10 “The thief comes with one purpose: to steal, kill, and destroy. I came to bring the fullness of life.”
2 Timothy 1:10 God’s purpose became obvious at the coming of our Jesus Christ our Savior, who abolished death. Through his message, we have light to show the way to eternal life.
King James
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
2 Timothy 1:10 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:
Why was Paul “appointed” for his unique ministry?
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Matthew 5:15–16 “People do not light a lamp and hide it under a bowl. It is placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, you should let your kindness shine before men so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”
Matthew 20:16 “So it is with the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who were thought to be least important are first, and the first are last. Many are called, and few are chosen.”
2 Timothy 1:11 I became God’s special messenger, appointed to preach and teach the good news to the nations.
1 Peter 2:9 You are a chosen people of the royal order, a pure and holy multitude in a unique position to exalt the one who has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
King James
Matthew 5:15–16 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
When Paul went to a city where he’d never been before, where did he typically go for his first days of ministry? Why?
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Acts 13:15 After reading from the Law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue turned to Paul and Barnabas. “Brothers, if you have an exhortation, please speak to us.”
Acts 14:1 At the Jewish synagogue in Iconium, a huge number of Jews and foreigners believed the message of Paul and Barnabas concerning Jesus Christ.
Acts 17:1, 10 After traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they stopped at a synagogue in Thessalonica.
Acts 17:10 That night, Paul and Silas were sent by the believers to Berea, and they went to the synagogue there.
Acts 17:16–17 While Paul waited in Athens, he was deeply troubled when he saw the city so dedicated to the worship of other gods. Therefore, he reasoned with Jews in the synagogue, devout pagans in the marketplace, and anyone else who might show up.
Acts 18:1, 4 Next, Paul left Athens for Corinth . . . Every Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogue, where he earned the confidence of both Jews and foreigners.
Acts 18:19 At Ephesus, he left Priscilla and Aquila to their tent making and entered the synagogue to reason with the Jews,
Acts 19:1, 8 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul was met with followers of Christ in Ephesus, after traveling through the interior region. . . . For three months, Paul spoke forcefully in the synagogue, reasoning with the Jews and convincing many of truths about Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 1:11 I became God’s special messenger, appointed to preach and teach the good news to the nations.
King James
Acts 13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews . . .
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17:16–17 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
Acts 18:1, 4 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth . . . And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Acts 18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
Acts 19:1, 8 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples . . . And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
What is shameful about suffering?
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2 Timothy 1:12 In my suffering, I am not ashamed, because I know the Lord and trust him completely, positive that my reward in him is secure until the day he returns.
1 Peter 2:20 You deserve no recognition when you suffer for doing wrong, but if you patiently endure pain in doing good, God is well pleased.
1 Peter 3:17 Suffering for doing good, if God allows it, is much better than suffering for doing evil.
King James
2 Timothy 1:12 For 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.
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
What reasons could Paul give to prove his teaching was “sound”?
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2 Timothy 1:13 Hold on to the sound teaching you received from me concerning faith and love in Christ Jesus.
King James
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
How could Timothy recognize a “priceless truth” from the Holy Spirit?
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2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the priceless truths you have received by the Holy Spirit within.
King James
2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Why might Phygelus and Hermogenes have forsaken Paul?
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2 Timothy 1:15 As you know, the believers in Asia have forsaken me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
King James
2 Timothy 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
What made Onesiphorus different from the Christians who didn’t have anything to do with Paul?
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2 Timothy 1:16–18 May the Lord show kindness to Onesiphorus and his household, for he has been such a frequent visitor and encourager, not ashamed of my imprisonment. When he arrived in Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. You well know how much he helped me in Ephesus. May he be abundantly blessed when Jesus returns.
King James
2 Timothy 1:16–18 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The 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.