2Ti 1:5-14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Tim 1:5-14: 1:5-14 Paul gently but firmly summons Timothy to Rome (see also 4:9 , 21 ; cp. 1 Tim 1:3-11 , 12-17 ). Suffering seemed certain if Timothy remained faithful, and Paul wanted to strengthen Timothy’s resolve. • The allusions to the Spirit in 2 Tim 1:6-7 and 1:14 form an inclusio (literary bookends) around this section. 1:5 On Timothy’s parentage, see Acts 16:1-3 ; 1 Tim 1:2 . • Faith means Christian faith, but Timothy’s Jewish heritage through his grandmother and mother explains how he was rooted in Old Testament instruction (2 Tim 3:14-15 ). Their Christian faith was an example for him to follow.

Summary for 2Tim 1:5-14: 1:5-14 ^a Paul gently but firmly summons Timothy to Rome (see also 4:9 ^b, 21 ^c; cp. 1 Tim 1:3-11 ^d, 12-17 ^e). Suffering seemed certain if Timothy remained faithful, and Paul wanted to strengthen Timothy’s resolve.

• The allusions to the Spirit in 2 Tim 1:6-7 ^f and 1:14 ^g form an inclusio (literary bookends) around this section. 1:5 ^h On Timothy’s parentage, see Acts 16:1-3 ⁱ; 1 Tim 1:2 ^j.

• Faith means Christian faith, but Timothy’s Jewish heritage through his grandmother and mother explains how he was rooted in Old Testament instruction (2 Tim 3:14-15 ^k). Their Christian faith was an example for him to follow.
1:6 ^l fan into flames: The Spirit’s work is not automatic—it must be cultivated (see Eph 5:18-21 ^m; 1 Thes 5:19-20 ⁿ; cp. Acts 4:31 ^o; 7:55 ^p; 13:9 ^q).

• The spiritual gift is the Holy Spirit’s enablement for ministry (see 1 Cor 12:1–14:40 ^r; cp. Acts 6:3 ^s, 5 ^t; 11:24 ^u).

• when I laid my hands on you: Paul and the elders (1 Tim 4:14 ^v) had ordained Timothy for ministry with the ceremonial laying on of hands.
1:8 ^w This verse summarizes the letter. Timothy would probably experience suffering (2:3 ^x; 3:12 ^y; 4:5 ^z; see Heb 13:23 ^aa) both in coming to Rome and in his subsequent ministry as Paul’s successor.
Summary for 2Tim 1:9-10: 1:9-10 ^ab This passage underscores the importance of obedience (1:8 ^ac) and strengthens Timothy for it (cp. 1 Tim 1:15 ^ad; 2:5-6 ^ae).

• God saved us ... Christ Jesus, our Savior: God and Christ are described interchangeably in the role of Savior (see 1 Tim 1:1 ^af; 2:3-4 ^ag).

• called us to live a holy life: Salvation and godliness are linked (see 1 Tim 3:14-16 ^ah; 5:8 ^ai; Titus 2:11-14 ^aj; 3:4-7 ^ak; Eph 2:10 ^al).

• not because we deserved it: We deserve condemnation (see Rom 3:23-24 ^am; 5:6-11 ^an; Eph 2:8-9 ^ao; Titus 3:5 ^ap).

• that was his plan from before the beginning of time: See Titus 1:2 ^aq; John 17:24 ^ar; Eph 1:4 ^as, 11 ^at; 1 Pet 1:20 ^au; Rev 13:8 ^av. Salvation is completely removed from human merit and located exclusively in the gracious working of God.
1:10 ^aw God’s gift of grace has been made . . . plain in history by Christ Jesus (see Rom 16:26 ^ax; 1 Pet 1:20 ^ay).

• by the appearing: See study note on 1 Tim 6:14.

• broke the power of death: See 1 Cor 15:26 ^az; 2 Thes 2:8 ^ba; Heb 2:14 ^bb.

• the way to life: See 2 Tim 1:1 ^bc; 1 Cor 15:53-54 ^bd; Titus 1:2 ^be.

• through the Good News: Salvation is provided by Christ, but its effects are mediated through proclamation of the Good News (see Titus 1:2-3 ^bf; Rom 1:16-17 ^bg; 10:14-15 ^bh).
1:12 ^bi Paul had complete confidence as he faced his own death (see 4:17-18 ^bj; Rom 1:16 ^bk; 2 Cor 4:8-9 ^bl; Phil 1:20 ^bm); it was an example for Timothy to follow (see 2 Tim 1:8 ^bn).

• what I have entrusted to him (or what has been entrusted to me; literally my deposit): My deposit might be either the Good News that had been entrusted to Paul (see 1 Tim 6:20 ^bo) or Paul’s life and ministry that he had committed to God.
1:14 ^bp Timothy must guard the precious truth (literally guard the good deposit; see study notes on 1:12; 3:11) by faithfully proclaiming it and preventing false teachers from distorting it (see study note on 2:2; see also 1 Tim 6:20 ^bq).