Who Wrote 2 Thessalonians?

Paul, Timothy, and Silas (1:1).

Paul’s Friends

In verses 9-12, Paul urges the Corinthians to support Timothy and greet Apollos when he has the chance to meet them.

Making Connections

Paul is always making new friends and allies.

In verses 1-8, he meets Priscilla and Aquila, collaborates with Silas and Timothy, and converts synagogue leaders Titius Justus and Crispus.

Timothy’s Initiation

Ouch. In verses 1-5, we read about Timothy’s circumcision.

Paul does this to make it easier for Timothy to minister to the Jewish Christians.

About Prayer in 1 Timothy

In 1 Timothy 2 and 4, Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.”

He particularly tells Timothy that people should always pray for their leaders.

I don’t pray for my leaders often.  I should do this more.

Suffering

In 2:3, Paul writes, “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

We are not called to pursue suffering for its own sake, but only in service to the higher purpose of serving Christ.

Who can you suffer with today?

Family Faith

We are reminded, in 1:5, of the power of a family’s faith in the development of a child’s relationship with God.  Do you have a Eunice?

Outline of 2 Timothy 4

1. Preach truthfully, even when false teachers win the popularity contest of public opinion
2. Come to me quickly, becuause even most of my friends have deserted me
3. Final good-byes

Outline of 2 Timothy 3

1. The last days will be really bad
2. Doing the right thing carries a heavy cost
3. Stay true anyway

Overview of 2 Timothy

I will finish 2010 with an abbreviated two-week study of 2 Timothy, rather than the 6 weeks scheduled.  This will put me on track to finish all of 2010′s books except Romans.

The thing that I find most interesting about 2 Timothy is that it’s Paul’s last known writing before his execution.

If you knew that you were condemned to die, I wonder what you would write about?  And maybe more importantly, who’d you’d write to.

Paul chooses to write to Timothy, a young pastor that Paul has been mentoring.