1But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron, 3forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 5For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
6If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed. 7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. 8For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now and of that which is to come. 9This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. 10For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11Command and teach these things.
12Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. 13Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. 14Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elders. 15Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. 16Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Paul's farewell letter in Second Timothy represents Paul's final letter written just before his death during the apostle's second Roman imprisonment. The apostle had no hope of release since his departure was imminent (4:6). The letter is deeply personal. Paul desires to impart some final instructions to Timothy. Moreover, although Paul is courageous in the face of his coming death, it is clear that he is lonely and longs to see Timothy one last time.
Unfortunately, Timothy, Paul's protégé and pastor at Ephesus, had become passive in his ministerial calling. Several reasons account for Timothy's non-assertiveness including his youthfulness (1 Tim 4:12), sickliness (1 Tim 5:23), and natural timidity (1:7). The Neronian persecution as well as Paul's recent arrest also played a role in Timothy's intimidation (1:8). As the baton of spiritual truth was being passed from the apostolic generation, the Church was in a precarious position. Christian truth ran the risk of succumbing to error and false teaching, had Timothy's generation not aggressively pursued their spiritual roles. Thus, for the sake of his spiritual heirs, Paul wrote 2 Tim for the purpose of encouraging Timothy not to shy away from fulfilling his calling.
First, Paul calls Timothy to courage (1:6), to use his spiritual gift (1:7), and to not be ashamed of the gospel (1:8-14). Paul even uses Timothy's heritage (1:1-5) as well as various personal examples (1:15-18) to motivate Timothy. In chapter two, Paul provides ten metaphors describing faithful endurance. Next, Paul warns of the coming apostasy (3:1‒4:8). After giving the general characteristics of apostasy (3:1-9, 12-13), the apostle then instructs Timothy regarding how to cope in the midst of it. Timothy must imitate Paul's endurance (3:10-11) and preach Scripture (3:14‒4:8). Paul concludes by noting the times that God had met the deepest needs in his own life (4:9-22). If God had helped Paul in this way, He would do the same for Timothy. Thus, Timothy can boldly go forward in doing what God has called him to do.