I. Salutation 1:1-2
II. Thanksgiving for faithful fellow workers 1:3-18
A. Timothy's past faithfulness 1:3-7
B. Charges to remain loyal 1:8-14
1. Exhortation to be courageous 1:8-12
2. Exhortation to guard the gospel 1:13-14
C. Examples of faithful and unfaithful service 1:15-18
III. Exhortations to persevere 2:1-26
A. Charge to endure hardship 2:1-13
1. Timothy's duty 2:1-7
2. The examples of Jesus and Paul 2:8-10
3. A popular saying 2:11-13
B. Charge to remain faithful 2:14-26
1. Faithfulness in public ministry 2:14-18
2. Faithfulness in personal life 2:19-21
3. Summary applications 2:22-26
IV. Directions concerning the last days 3:1-4:8
A. Characteristics of the last days 3:1-13
1. Evidences of faithlessness 3:1-7
2. Negative and positive illustrations 3:8-13
B. Conduct in the last days 3:14-4:5
1. Adherence to the truth 3:14-17
2. Proclamation of the truth 4:1-5
C. Paul's role in the last days 4:6-8
V. Concluding personal instructions and information 4:9-22
A. Fellow workers and an opponent 4:9-15
B. Paul's preliminary hearing in court 4:16-18
C. Additional greetings and instructions 4:19-21
D. Benediction 4:22
