H A N D I N G   O V E R   T H E   T O R C H
                    
                    Paul's Second Letter to Timothy

     In the second letter to Timothy, Paul reiterates many of the 
     themes of the first letter.  Paul's attitude about his own life 
     has changed.  Still a prisoner, Paul no longer expects to be 
     able to visit Timothy.  Instead, he knows that he will soon be 
     executed.  This letter is both an encouragement and a farewell. 


     1.  Paul and Timothy

          1:1-6     Paul opens his letter with a review of the many 
          ties between himself and his protege.  First among these 
          is their union in Christ.  Beyond that, they have a long 
          and close personal relationship and Paul was the one who 
          ordained Timothy to ministry.  Further, Paul had also 
          known Timothy's mother and grandmother.  

          1:7-14    Timothy is advised never to withdraw in the face 
          of difficulties.  Paul himself is in prison, but is still 
          confident because God is faithful to him.  Timothy should 
          respond with the same kind of faithfulness in his duties.  

          1:15-18   Others among their acquaintance are being called 
          to respond to the same issues - with varying results.  


     2.  Timothy as a leader

          2:1-10    Timothy, as a designated leader of the church, 
          needs to demonstrate his loyalty for the sake of the whole 
          church.  Soldier, athlete, farmer, or bishop: the good 
          worker is the one who stays at his task and does his best.  
          As Christians, our work brings salvation to ourselves and 
          to all the people God chooses.  

          2:11-18   True faith is clear and simple.  It does not 
          depend on detailed arguments over semantics; in fact, too 
          much debate can undermine faith.  An example is the idea 
          that the resurrection is already past; an intriguing thesis 
          for intellectual debate, in practice it denies the hope 
          which Christ promises.  

          2:19-26   The alternative way, the good way, is to work 
          hard to please God and other people.  Looking to your 
          own conscience, being gentle and patient, and building up 
          relationships rather than tearing them down will exhibit  
          the hope and faith which we claim to have in Christ.  

     3.  Forms of trouble

          3:1-9     Taking the good way doesn't exempt us from facing 
          conflicts.  People are sinful, and often they will deceive 
          even themselves into believing that they are religious.  We 
          need to distance ourselves from this behavior and make it 
          clear that their idea of religion does not coincide with 
          the faith that we have found.  Again, people will twist 
          religion to their own purposes, manipulating religion in 
          order to manipulate other people.  (Susceptibility to this 
          sort of manipulation is not unique to women, but Paul's 
          example is still well enough known.)  

          3:10-17   True Christians will be persecuted.  Paul reminds 
          Timothy of past his experience, which is both a warning to 
          expect attacks and a promise of continual help.  The best 
          way to prepare is to study the Bible.  Scripture will help 
          prepare you both to do your own work and to answer your 
          critics.  


     4.  Paul's charge to Timothy

          4:1-5     Timothy is called to be a preacher and so he 
          must preach.  We are obligated to perform the work which 
          God calls us to do, no matter what people may tell us or 
          whether it seems that we succeed.  "We are not called to 
          be successful but to be faithful," to use a more recent 
          formulation.

          4:6-8     Paul has been faithful and he fully expects to 
          receive the reward which God has promised:  a favorable 
          judgement on his life.  This is the final prize promised 
          to everyone who longs for Christ's coming.  

          4:9-21    It would be nice if Timothy could come to visit 
          Paul.  Paul has given up hope that he might get out to 
          visit Timothy and he is lonely and sad.  Even so, Paul 
          has not given up hope; men may judge and execute him, but 
          Christ will still be able to save him.  In the meantime, 
          mutual greetings help to bind the Christians together 
          despite the bars, the betrayals, and the miles.  

                                                     
                                                     December, 1994