Second Epistle to Timothy
The Second Epistle to Timothy is
one of the three Pastoral Epistles, traditionally
attributed to Paul, and is part of the canonical
New Testament. Even those who reject 2 Timothy's
authenticity, however, generally agree that whoever the
author really was, he also wrote 1 Timothy and
Titus--all three referred to collectively as the
Pastorals.
Evangelical tradition generally regards 2 Timothy as
having been written late in Paul's life, c. 60-67 CE,
during a period of imprisonment. Critical scholars often
suggest dates much later, well after Paul's death (c.
64-67); ranges in the first half of the second century
are frequently offered.
In his letter, Paul urges Timothy to not have a "spirit
of timidity" and to "not be ashamed to testify about our
Lord" (1:7-8). He also entreats Timothy to come to him
before winter, and to bring Mark with him (cf.
Philippians 2:22). He was anticipating that "the time of
his departure was at hand" (4:6), and he exhorts his
"son Timothy" to all diligence and steadfastness in the
face of false teachings, with advice about combating
them with reference to the teachings of the past, and to
patience under persecution (1:6–15), and to a faithful
discharge of all the duties of his office (4:1–5), with
all the solemnity of one who was about to appear before
the Judge of the quick and the dead.
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