Background:
Paul after his release from his first Roman imprisonment, visited Nicopolis (Titus 3:12), from there he went to Troas where he seems to have left his cloak, books and parchments (2 Tim. 4:13). He made a quick round of other churches viz. Colossians where he saw Onesimus and other churches he founded.
He was arrested again, when Emperor Nero had unleashed terrible persecution against Christians. This time Paul’s arrest was final. He was kept in deep dungeon unlike the house of rest in his first imprisonment. Only doctor Luke was with him. In the 2 Timothy, he urges Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible. He replaces Tychicus in place of Timothy in Ephesus. Although Timothy had difficulty in pastoring the Ephesian church, Paul encourages him to be steadfast and reminds him of his testimony. It appears that Alexander the copper smith who makes idols and sells in the market did a great harm to Paul (Acts 19:33; 2 Tim. 4:14).
The situation was slowly deteriorating. Roman Emperor Nero was descending into madness since AD 54. He allowed a great fire at Rome in AD 64 that burned half of the city. With the residents of Rome in uproar, he conveniently put the blame on Christians. Believers became the scapegoats for Nero’s lack of preparedness and a great persecution broke up. In this process, many were killed and Apostle Paul was beheaded by Roman officials.
Key verses:
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (1:9).
“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you, guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us” (1:14).
“ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2:15).
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (3:16-17).
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (4:7-8).
Paul wrote this letter from Prison sensing his imminent execution.
Outline:
| Ch. no | Title |
| 1 | A Pastoral appeal. |
| 2 | The duties of a pastor. |
| 3 | The Prophetic appeal. |
| 4 | The final charge. |