1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
2
To Timothy, my beloved child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3
I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did. And I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.
4
And when I remember your tears, I long to see you again, so that I may be filled with joy.
5
For I remember your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that it lives also in you.
6
For this reason I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.
7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
8
Therefore do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, nor be ashamed of me, his prisoner; but share in suffering for his gospel by the power of God.
9
He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time
10
and which has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
11
For this gospel I was appointed as a herald, an apostle, and a teacher.
12
That is why I suffer these things; yet I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13
Hold fast the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, and do it in faith and love in Christ Jesus.
14
Guard the good treasure entrusted to us, by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
15
You know that all those in the province of Asia turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16
May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, who has often refreshed my heart. He was not ashamed to find me in prison.
17
When he was in Rome, he searched for me and found me.
18
May the Lord grant him mercy on that day. You know better than I how much service he rendered in Ephesus.
📖 2 Timothy 1 – My Faith and God’s Holy Calling
🧾 Summary of Contents
This letter is one of the last writings of the Apostle Paul, written from prison in Rome, addressed to his spiritual child, Timothy. In this first chapter, Paul offers thanksgiving, encouragement to remain bold in faith, and reminds Timothy to remain faithful in his calling, not to be ashamed of the gospel and to stay strong even when facing suffering.
📘 Verse-by-Verse Explanation
| Verse | Main Point | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Opening greeting | Paul introduces himself as an apostle by the will of God, to Timothy, his beloved spiritual son. |
| 3–5 | Thanksgiving for Timothy’s faith | Paul gives thanks for Timothy’s sincere faith, inherited from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. |
| 6–7 | Stir up God’s gift | Timothy is urged to stir up zeal in service. God gives a spirit of courage, not of fear. |
| 8–12 | Do not be ashamed of the Gospel | Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel or of suffering for Christ, because God’s grace and calling are eternal. |
| 13–14 | Hold to sound teaching | Timothy must hold firmly to the truth that has been taught with love in Christ. |
| 15–18 | Faithful in hardship | Paul mentions those who deserted him, but also praises Onesiphorus, who remained faithful and helped Paul in prison. |
✨ Main Teaching
- Sincere faith is a precious inheritance
Timothy’s faith did not appear suddenly, but came from the example of his faithful family. - Do not be ashamed to proclaim the Gospel
Ministry often brings risk, but Paul calls us to be courageous and to trust that suffering for Christ is an honor. - The Lord gives power, not fear
Verse 7 is very well known: God gives a spirit of courage, not fear. This becomes a strong encouragement for all believers. - God’s holy calling is based on His grace
Our lives are not determined by our merits, but by God’s calling in Christ Jesus. - Faithfulness is a rare but precious quality
Like Onesiphorus, true followers of Christ will remain faithful in the midst of hardship, not only when everything is going well.
💡 Spiritual Meaning
This chapter reminds us that Christian faith is not merely a personal belief, but a calling to live boldly and faithfully even when the world rejects or persecutes us. We are called not because we are worthy, but because of God’s grace.
✨ Key Verse
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
