The Apostolic Charge:
The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to Saint Timothy
WHO WAS ST. TIMOTHY?
THE ENTIRE EPISTLE
St. Timothy
THE SAINT was born at Lystra, Lycaenia, part of Cappadocia, which lies between Mount Taurus and the upper Euphrates River, the son of a Greek father and Eunice, a Jewess who converted to the Faith. St. Timothy joined St. Paul when he preached at Lystra, replacing St. Barnabus; he became St. Paul's great friend and confidant, accompanying Paul on his second journey. When Paul was forced to flee Berea because of the hatred of the Jews there, Timothy remained behind for a time and then was sent to Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia, in order to report the condition of the Christians under the persecution there and to encourage them. Timothy's account to Paul led to Paul's First Epistle to the Thessalonians when he rejoined Timothy at Corinth.
Timothy and Erastus were sent to Macedonia in the year 58, A.D., then to Corinth to remind the Corinthians of Paul's teaching; then they went with Paul back into Macedonia and Achaia. It is very probable that Timothy was with Paul when the Apostle was imprisoned at Caesarea and then Rome, and was himself held captive, but later released. According to tradition [the oral testimony of the Apostles and their disciples and the Fathers of the Church which was handed down faithfully], St. Timothy went to Ephesus, where he became it first Bishop, and was stoned there when he opposed the pagan festival in honor of the goddess Diana. St. Paul wrote two Epistles to St. Timothy, one written about the year 65, from Macedonia, and the other from Rome while awaiting execution. St. Timothy was Martyred in 97. His Feast is January 25.
The Second Epistle of St. Paul
to St. Timothy
Chapter 1.
[1] Paul, an Apostle of Jesus
Christ, by the will of God, according to the promise of life, which is
in Christ Jesus.
[2] To Timothy my dearly beloved son, grace, mercy, and peace, from God
the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
[3]
I give thanks to God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure
conscience, that without ceasing, I have a remembrance of thee in my
prayers, night and day.
[4] Desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be
filled with joy,
[5]
Calling to mind that faith which is in thee unfeigned, which also dwelt
first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am
certain that in thee also.
[6] For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God
which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands.
[7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of
love, and of sobriety.
[8]
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me
his prisoner: but labour with the gospel, according to the power of God,
[9]
Who hath delivered us and called us by his holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world.
[10]
But is now made manifest by the illumination of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who hath destroyed death, and hath brought to light life and
incorruption by the gospel:
[11] Wherein I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and teacher of
the Gentiles.
[12]
For which cause I also suffer these things: but I am not ashamed. For I
know whom I have believed, and I am certain that he is able to keep
that which I have committed unto him, against that day.
[13] Hold the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me in
faith, and in the love which is in Christ Jesus.
[14] Keep the good thing committed to thy trust by the Holy Ghost, who
dwelleth in us.
[15] Thou knowest this, that all they who are in Asia, are turned away
from me: of whom are Phigellus and Hermogenes.
[16] The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus: because he hath
often refreshed me, and hath not been ashamed of my chain:
[17] But when he was come to Rome, he carefully sought me, and found me.
[18]
The Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in
how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou very well
knowest.
[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus:
[2] And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who shall be fit to teach others also.
[3] Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
[4] No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses; that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself.
[5] For he also that striveth for the mastery, is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
[6] The husbandman, that laboureth, must first partake of the fruits.
[7] Understand what I say: for the Lord will give thee in all things understanding.
[8] Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel.
[9] Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer; but the word of God is not bound.
[10] Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.
[11] A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him.
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.
[13] If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he can not deny himself.
[14] Of these things put them in mind, charging them before the Lord. Contend not in words, for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
[15] Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow much towards ungodliness.
[17] And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus:
[18] Who have erred from the truth, saying, that the resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith of some.
[19] But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.
[20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth: and some indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour.
[21] If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work.
[22] But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity, and peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
[23] And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.
[24] But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be mild towards all men, apt to teach, patient,
[25] With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the truth,
[26] And they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will.
Chapter 3
[1] Know also this, that, in the
last days, shall come dangerous times.
[2] Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked,
[3] Without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent,
unmerciful, without kindness,
[4] Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasures more than of
God:
[5] Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power
thereof. Now these avoid.
[6]
For of these sort are they who creep into houses, and lead captive
silly women laden with sins, who are led away with divers desires:
[7] Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth.
[8]
Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the
truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
[9] But they shall proceed no farther; for their folly shall be
manifest to all men, as theirs also was.
[10] But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, long-suffering, love, patience,
[11]
Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium,
and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the
Lord delivered me.
[12] And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer
persecution.
[13] But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and
driving into error.
[14]
But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned, and which
have been committed to thee: knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
[15]
And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures, which
can instruct thee to salvation, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to
reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice,
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.
Chapter 4
[1] I charge thee, before God and
Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming,
and his kingdom:
[2] Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove,
entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.
[3]
For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears:
[4] And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be
turned unto fables.
[5] But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill thy ministry. Be sober.
[6] For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my
dissolution is at hand.
[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept
the faith.
[8]
As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the
Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me,
but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.
[9] For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone to
Thessalonica:
[10] Crescens into Galatia, Titus into Dalmatia.
[11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he
is profitable to me for the ministry.
[12] But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
[13] The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest,
bring with thee, and the books, especially the parchments.
[14] Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord will
reward him according to his works:
[15] Whom do thou also avoid, for he hath greatly withstood our words.
[16] At my first answer no man stood with me, but all forsook me: may
it not be laid to their charge.
[17]
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching
may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear: and I was
delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
[18] The Lord hath
delivered me from every evil work: and will preserve me unto his
heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
[19] Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
[20] Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
[21] Make haste to come before winter Eubulus and Pudens, and Linus and
Claudia, and all the brethren, salute thee.
[22] The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.