2Ti 1:6-14 | TNotes | STEP | 1:6 fan into flames: The Spirit’s work is not automatic—it must be cultivated (see Eph 5:18-21 ; 1 Thes 5:19-20 ; cp. Acts 4:31 ; 7:55 ; 13:9 ). • The spiritual gift is the Holy Spirit’s enablement for ministry (see 1 Cor 12:1–14:40 ; cp. Acts 6:3 , 5 ; 11:24 ). • when I laid my hands on you: Paul and the elders (1 Tim 4:14 ) had ordained Timothy for ministry with the ceremonial laying on of hands.

1:6 ^a fan into flames: The Spirit’s work is not automatic—it must be cultivated (see Eph 5:18-21 ^b; 1 Thes 5:19-20 ^c; cp. Acts 4:31 ^d; 7:55 ^e; 13:9 ^f).

• The spiritual gift is the Holy Spirit’s enablement for ministry (see 1 Cor 12:1–14:40 ^g; cp. Acts 6:3 ^h, 5 ⁱ; 11:24 ^j).

• when I laid my hands on you: Paul and the elders (1 Tim 4:14 ^k) had ordained Timothy for ministry with the ceremonial laying on of hands.
1:8 ^l This verse summarizes the letter. Timothy would probably experience suffering (2:3 ^m; 3:12 ⁿ; 4:5 ^o; see Heb 13:23 ^p) both in coming to Rome and in his subsequent ministry as Paul’s successor.
Summary for 2Tim 1:9-10: 1:9-10 ^q This passage underscores the importance of obedience (1:8 ^r) and strengthens Timothy for it (cp. 1 Tim 1:15 ^s; 2:5-6 ^t).

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

• called us to live a holy life: Salvation and godliness are linked (see 1 Tim 3:14-16 ^w; 5:8 ^x; Titus 2:11-14 ^y; 3:4-7 ^z; Eph 2:10 ^aa).

• not because we deserved it: We deserve condemnation (see Rom 3:23-24 ^ab; 5:6-11 ^ac; Eph 2:8-9 ^ad; Titus 3:5 ^ae).

• that was his plan from before the beginning of time: See Titus 1:2 ^af; John 17:24 ^ag; Eph 1:4 ^ah, 11 ^ai; 1 Pet 1:20 ^aj; Rev 13:8 ^ak. Salvation is completely removed from human merit and located exclusively in the gracious working of God.
1:10 ^al God’s gift of grace has been made . . . plain in history by Christ Jesus (see Rom 16:26 ^am; 1 Pet 1:20 ^an).

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

• broke the power of death: See 1 Cor 15:26 ^ao; 2 Thes 2:8 ^ap; Heb 2:14 ^aq.

• the way to life: See 2 Tim 1:1 ^ar; 1 Cor 15:53-54 ^as; Titus 1:2 ^at.

• 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 ^au; Rom 1:16-17 ^av; 10:14-15 ^aw).
1:12 ^ax Paul had complete confidence as he faced his own death (see 4:17-18 ^ay; Rom 1:16 ^az; 2 Cor 4:8-9 ^ba; Phil 1:20 ^bb); it was an example for Timothy to follow (see 2 Tim 1:8 ^bc).

• 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 ^bd) or Paul’s life and ministry that he had committed to God.
1:14 ^be 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 ^bf).