Paul gave thanks to God for Timothy's past faithfulness to his Lord and encouraged him to continue faithful. He did so to strengthen Timothy's resolve in view of ever increasing apostasy and the decision of many to abandon Paul.
1:3-4 Paul mentioned in his first epistle to Timothy thanks for his own salvation and ministry (1 Tim. 1:12). In this second epistle he began with thanks for Timothy's salvation and ministry.
Paul's reference to his forefathers (godfearing Jewish believers who lived before Christ's death) seems unusual. However throughout this epistle Paul looked backward into the past and ahead into the future, when he would no longer be alive. This reference reveals that Paul regarded his own ministry as part of the continuation of God's great ongoing plan of the ages. He was one of the faithful throughout history that have loyally served God sincerely, with a "clear conscience."
Paul undoubtedly prayed for Timothy often. Timothy had been one of Paul's closest associates, and he was evidently still laboring in Ephesus (cf. 4:19-20), the city where Paul had spent so much time. Paul had plenty of time to pray since he was again in prison (cf. 4:9, 16, 21). It is not only good to pray for individuals, but it is also good to tell them that we do, as Paul did here.
Even though Paul rejoiced continually his life was not "filled with joy"when he wrote this letter. He longed for Timothy to visit him. Evidently when they had parted last Timothy had taken their separation very hard. A reunion would encourage Timothy too.
"One of the fascinating aspects of Pauline studies is the very real humanity of this man of God. Paul was a stalwart soldier, but he had a tender heart."5
1:5 Paul rejoiced over Timothy's genuine faith that his remaining faithful to the Lord for so long had proved. Timothy's faith was pure, unmixed with distrust and unbelief. His mother and grandmother had also demonstrated sterling faith in Christ.6Undoubtedly they were instrumental in Timothy's salvation. Spiritual as well as physical traits often come down from one generation to the next.
1:6 In view of the quality of his faith Paul urged his younger friend not to neglect the use of his God-given abilities for the service of Christ. Any person can become less effective in the exercise of his abilities if he or she does not use them regularly. This was Paul's concern. He wanted Timothy to keep active. He was not implying that Timothy's gift had left him.
"General Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, once sent this message to those under him: The tendency of fire is to go out; watch the fire on the altar of your heart.' Anyone who has tended a fireplace fire knows that it needs to be stirred up occasionally."7
Timothy may have received special abilities from the apostle at his ordination (cf. 1 Tim. 4:14). The bestowal of these may have been a unique apostolic ministry that ceased with that office (Eph. 2:20; Heb. 2:3-4). It seems more likely, however, that what Timothy received was divine enablement to do the work into which God was leading him. The gift, then, could be understood as a special endowment or anointing by the Holy Spirit (cf. v. 7).8
"The laying on of hands was not the cause of Timothy's receipt of a spiritual gift but was a visible representation and symbol of it."9
1:7 Evidently Timothy had held back from some ministry because of timidity. Paul reminded him that such a spirit is not from God. God makes us spiritually powerful (i.e., having a forceful character that uses authority boldly, cf. 1 Cor. 2:4), loving (Gal. 5:22), and self-disciplined (Gal. 5:23). Self-disciplined refers to a person who has a "wise head."10
"He [Paul] is obliquely chiding Timothy for his timidity, but softens the blow by lumping himself with him."11
Paul gave his young protégé exhortations to encourage him further to remain faithful to the Lord.
To further impress upon Timothy the need for him to remain faithful to his calling Paul cited records of the ministries of other Christians who were mutual acquaintances.
1:15 The Christians in Ephesus and in the province of Asia where Ephesus stood had so thoroughly abandoned Paul that he could say all had turned from him. Paul may have meant all the leaders or his former colleagues who had left him by himself in prison in Rome. Probably not all of these people had turned from the gospel. Timothy was the last to maintain his loyalty to and support of Paul among that group, and he was now feeling temptation to abandon him. Phygelus and Hermogenes' names occur nowhere else in Scripture. They had been strong supporters of the apostle in the past but had eventually turned from him as the rest.
1:16-18 Onesiphorus (lit. help-bringer) seems to have died when Paul wrote this epistle (4:19). His remaining household was an exception to the "all"above (v. 15), or perhaps they had felt differently and had later reaffirmed their loyalty to Paul. In any case his family had diligently and unashamedly sought out Paul and had ministered to him during his current imprisonment. For this Paul wished the Lord would show Onesiphorus "mercy"at the judgment seat of Christ (cf. "that day"in v. 12). Paul seems to have been envisioning a scene in which all his unfaithful brethren would stand before the Lord, Onesiphorus among them, namely Christ's judgment seat. God would express displeasure with the failure of the others, but Onesiphorus would escape that shame (cf. 1 John 2:28). Timothy knew about Onesiphorus' earlier faithful ministry in Ephesus. Paul referred to this as well to encourage Timothy to throw in his lot with Onesiphorus and his family rather than with those who had turned against the chained apostle.
"Moral behavior is best learned by observing such commitment in others. Children learn this behavior from parents. Young Christians learn it from older Christians. Ultimately moral behavior cannot be taught merely by character-building courses in the public schools. Christians must see moral commitment as a sterling example in others.
"Paul was not ashamed to present himself as the initial example he gave to Timothy. He had no doubt that his behavior was worth imitating. Christian leaders today need to have such a commitment to Christ that they are unashamed to say in humility, If you want an example to follow, look at me!'"19
