2 Timothy 1-2

2 Timothy 1
1-2 Salutation
From Paul to Timothy:

• By the will of God
• For the sake of the promise of life

3-18 Thanksgiving and Encouragement
Personal to Timothy:

• I thank God when I remember you in my prayers.
• I long to see you.
• I remember your faith, which you received from your mother and grandmother.
• Rekindle the gift God gave you through the laying on of my hands.
• Do not be afraid to testify of God, but join me in suffering for the gospel.
• Hold to the standard of sound teaching.
• Guard the good treasure entrusted to you.

Of Paul's status

• I suffer for the gospel, but I am not ashamed.
• I know the one whom I trust, and know he will guard what I have entrusted to him.
• All in Asia have turned from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
• Onesiphorus, though, refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; you may remember how useful he was in Ephesus.

2 Timothy 2
1-13 A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ

• My child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ.
• Entrust to faithful people what you have heard from me, and they will teach others.
• Share in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ.
• Remember Jesus Christ. Though I am chained, his word is not.
• Remember:

If we have died with him, we will live with him.
If we endure, we will reign with him.
If we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful,
For he cannot deny himself.

14-25 A Worker Approved by God

• Warn others to avoid wranglings over words, particularly Hymenaeus and Philetus. A repeat of what Paul wrote in his first letter (6:4-5), but here he names names!
• Present yourself as one approved by God...the Lord knows who are his. These are excerpts from verses 15 and 18, connected by warnings against loose talk and false teaching. So no matter what nonsense is going on around you, stand firm, know what you are talking about, make sure you stand approved by God. To quote frontiersman and Congressman David (Davy) Crockett, "Always be sure you are right, then go ahead." In this case, I suppose we'd say, "Always be sure you are right with God."
• If you cleanse yourself of this loose talk, you will become a useful "utensil" in the house of God.
• Shun youthful passions.
• Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies.
• Be kindly toward everyone.
• May God grant repentance to those who are otherwise, that they may escape the snare of the devil.