2 Timothy: Standing Firm in Truth

By John Stott and Lin Johnson

Study Scripture with John Stott
"Our era is one of theological and moral confusion, even of apostasy. And the apostle summons us, as he summoned Timothy, to be strong, brave and steadfast." In this way John Stott summarizes the message of Paul's second letter to Timothy, a letter about leadership and responsibility. The inductive studies in this newly updated guide speak to all who would stand for Christ in a world of slippery, relative truth. Our call is to bring the only real, solid Word of grace and truth to a world without hope.
John Stott was one of the world's leading and most-loved Bible teachers and preachers. In this Bible study guide you can explore Scripture under his guidance, enhancing your own in-depth study with insights gained from his years of immersion in God's Word.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IVP Bible Studies
• Release date: Jun 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9780830855964

John Stott

The Revd Dr John Stott, CBE, was for many years Rector of All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, and chaplain to the Queen. Stott's global influence is well established, mainly through his work with Billy Graham and the Lausanne conferences - he was one of the principal authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974. In 2005, Time magazine ranked Stott among the 100 most influential people in the world. He passed away on July 27, 2011.

Book preview

Couverture : John R. W. Stott, Lin Johnson, 2 Timothy (Standing Firm in Truth)

2 TIMOTHY

STANDING FIRM

IN TRUTH

8 STUDIES WITH COMMENTARY

FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS

JOHN STOTT BIBLE STUDIES

JOHN STOTT

WITH LIN JOHNSON

Illustration

Contents

INTRODUCING 2 TIMOTHY

1 STAND UP FOR THE GOSPEL

2 Timothy 1:1-10

2 BATTLING FOR THE TRUTH

2 Timothy 1:11-18

3 NO PAIN, NO GAIN

2 Timothy 2:1-13

4 WATCH YOUR TONGUE

2 Timothy 2:14-26

5 LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS

2 Timothy 3:1-9

6 BE DIFFERENT

2 Timothy 3:10-17

7 NO REGRETS

2 Timothy 4:1-8

8 STAND FIRM TO THE END

2 Timothy 4:9-22

GUIDELINES FOR LEADERS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MORE TITLES FROM INTERVARSITY PRESS

INTRODUCING 2 TIMOTHY

In this second imprisonment, Paul was not enjoying the comparative freedom and comfort of his own hired house from which Luke took leave of him at the end of the book of Acts and from which he seemed to have been set free as he expected. Instead, he was incarcerated in some dismal underground dungeon with a hole in the ceiling for light and air (William Hendrikson, The Epistles to Timothy and Titus [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1957], 234). Perhaps it was the Mamertine prison, as tradition says. But wherever he was, Onesiphorus succeeded in finding him only after a painstaking search (2 Timothy 1:17).

The preliminary hearing of Paul’s case had already taken place, and he was awaiting the full trial but not expecting to be acquitted. His own apostolic labors were over. I have finished the race, he could say. But he still had a lot on his mind and heart. Although this letter was an intensely personal communication to his young friend Timothy, it was also—and consciously—his last will and testament to the church.

GETTING TO KNOW TIMOTHY

For over fifteen years Timothy had been Paul’s faithful missionary companion. Not only did Paul have a strong affection for Timothy as a friend whom he had evidently led to Christ, he had also grown to trust Timothy as his co-worker (Romans 16:21).

When the first imprisonment was over, Paul left Timothy in Ephesus as a kind of bishop. Wide responsibilities were given to him. And now still heavier burdens were about to fall on Timothy’s shoulders. For Paul was on the point of martyrdom, and then the task of preserving the apostle’s teaching intact would be his in yet greater measure. Yet, humanly speaking, Timothy was hopelessly unfit to assume these weighty responsibilities.

Timothy was a real human being like us, with all the infirmity and vulnerability that entails. To begin with, he was still comparatively young when Paul addressed this letter to him (see 1 Timothy 4:12)—in his midthirties, which was still within the limits of youth. Second, he was temperamentally shy, needing affirmation, encouragement, and reassurance (2 Timothy 1:7). Third,