It is believed Paul wrote this second letter while in prison in Rome, not long before his death. He makes several mentions of his "suffering" in this letter, and instead of allowing his circumstances to make him feel sorry for himself or allowing others to feel sorry for him, he uses his circumstances to encourage others. If Paul can stand firm in the faith no matter what comes his way without giving in to despair, he wants his friends to know that they can do the same.
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:1-5) Paul says, "My conscience bears witness that I am telling you the truth: you are in my prayers night and day. I am thankful for your faith and I pray that your faith grows stronger as you follow the examples of your grandmother, your mother, and me---your spiritual father." We recall that Timothy's biological father was not a believer and could not set an example for him in the faith. But God has a way of placing people in our lives to fulfill much-needed roles, and Paul fulfilled the role of father to Timothy in a way Timothy's own father could not.
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6) Paul may be referring to the day when Timothy was ordained a minister of the gospel. He has spoken before of the prophecy about Timothy that was given to the elders of the church, so it appears as if the Lord told these men He had chosen Timothy to do great things. When Timothy accepted his calling, it's likely that the elders of the church placed their hands on him and prayed over him and blessed his ministry. Paul knows the pressures that come against Timothy every day as he ministers to the church, so he's worried about burnout. He knows there are days when Timothy doesn't get a minute of peace, and days when he's operating on too-little sleep, and days when he doesn't have enough free time to sit down and eat a balanced meal. On top of all this, there is the constant opposition from the world to deal with. It's one thing to be weary in body, but it's a far worse thing to be weary in spirit, and that's what Paul is concerned about most. It's something King David was worried about too, so he asked the Lord to "grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me". (Psalm 51:12) We can endure anything as long as the spirit is willing, but men like Paul and Timothy and David knew that we can't manufacture this willingness on our own. We need God's help. This is why they prayed for Him to grant the willingness of spirit that they needed.
The Christians of the first century AD were surrounded by pagan cultures and the sinful practices that were associated with false religions. Temptation was all around them. Not only that, but having to face persecution for the faith was a very real and daily threat. Paul doesn't want these things to wear Timothy down or to make him reluctant to speak out for the Lord, so he says these encouraging words: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." (2 Timothy 1:7-8) Paul knows he could not endure his troubles unless the Lord had empowered him to do so. Timothy doesn't have to stand up to all the pressures of his life in his own strength; the power of the Lord is available to him.
The Lord has done great things for us, and the Lord will do great things through us. He has chosen to do these things not because we deserve them, but because it pleases Him to call us, save us, and equip us to do great things in His name. As the saying goes, "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called." Knowing this, Paul says, "He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." (2 Timothy 1:9-12) Paul has entrusted everything to the Lord, and as a result he is confident that the Lord will accomplish everything in his life that He intends to accomplish. Paul assured the believers of Philippi that God would accomplish everything in their lives that He intends to accomplish, saying, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6) God doesn't do anything halfway. He doesn't start projects and then quit. The only way we can miss God's plan for our lives is if we aren't committing our lives to Him and if we aren't depending on Him to grant us a willing spirit to do what He's called us to do.
Paul, like any good father, has brought up his spiritual son with a solid background of sound doctrine. In times of distress, or when Timothy is weary, or when the pressures of this life seem overwhelming, his mind will naturally fall back on the things Paul has taught him. "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:13) We can't count on always having time to think things through. Life is fast-paced. Emergencies crop up. Unexpected events come our way. We are faced with decisions and opportunities. If we haven't trained our minds by filling them with the truth of God's word, we may find ourselves floundering for answers or for direction. But if we've set our minds in the correct patterns by studying and memorizing God's word, we will automatically fall back on the things we know to be true about God and about godly living.
"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you---guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy 1:14) God isn't asking or expecting us to stand strong on our own. He isn't telling us to do anything that He isn't going to equip us to do. You can be certain that if God calls you to do something, He will enable you to do it. Through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, God will fill us with enough power, love and self-discipline to accomplish far more than we could ever accomplish in our own strength. When He calls us, He qualifies us.
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