Kress Biblical Resources :: Detailed Outline

Detailed Outline of 2 Timothy

Persevere in the Ministry and Do Not Be Ashamed to Suffer for the Gospel

1. Prologue/Introduction (2Ti 1:1-2)
   1. The writer (2Ti 1:1)
      1. The human author¹
         1. His name
         2. His authority
         3. His hope
      2. The divine Author (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:21; 2Pe 3:15-16)
   2. The recipient[s] (2Ti 1:2a)
      1. The original recipient[s]²
         1. His name
         2. His relationship with Paul
         3. The wider audience (2Ti 4:22b)
      2. The current recipients (cf. 2Pe 3:15-16)
   3. The requisite greeting (2Ti 1:2b)
      1. The prayer of blessing
      2. The Person[s] behind the blessing
2. Persevere in the ministry and be unashamed to suffer for the gospel (2Ti 1:3-18; 2Ti 2:1-13)
   1. Be unashamed of the testimony of the Lord and His suffering servants (2Ti 1:3-18)
      1. Remember the roots and relationships that are connected to your faith in Christ (2Ti 1:3-5)
         1. Remember those who know you and pray for you in the Lord (2Ti 1:3-4)
            1. Paul’s thankfulness for Timothy (2Ti 1:3a)
            2. Paul’s character before the Lord (2Ti 1:3b)
            3. Paul’s prayers for Timothy (2Ti 1:3c)
            4. Paul’s longing for fellowship with Timothy (2Ti 1:4)
         2. Remember those who passed the faith on to you (2Ti 1:5)
            1. The affirmation of his faith (2Ti 1:5a)
            2. The ancestry of his faith (2Ti 1:5b)
      2. Remember you must intentionally fan the flame of your giftedness in Christ (2Ti 1:6-7)
         1. You have a stewardship from God (2Ti 1:6)
            1. You are responsible to use your giftedness (2Ti 1:6a)
            2. You are to remember the affirmation of those who recognized your giftedness (2Ti 1:6b)
         2. You have a spirit of power, love and discipline from God (2Ti 1:7)
            1. God’s gifting does not produce cowardice (2Ti 1:7a)
            2. God’s gifting produces power, love and discipline (2Ti 1:7b)
      3. Regard suffering for the gospel as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of God (2Ti 1:8-12)
         1. Do not be embarrassed of the testimony of our Lord (2Ti 1:8a)
         2. Do not be embarrassed of those suffering for the Lord (2Ti 1:8b)
         3. Dare to suffer with those who suffer for the Lord (2Ti 1:8c)
         4. Demonstrate the power of God [the gospel] in your suffering (2Ti 1:8d-12)
            1. The gospel empowers us in suffering (2Ti 1:8d)
            2. The gospel encapsulates our salvation (2Ti 1:9-10)
               1. God saved us and called us to be set apart (2Ti 1:9a)
               2. God saved us by sovereign grace (2Ti 1:9b)
               3. God saved us through the Person and work of Jesus Christ (2Ti 1:10)
            3. The gospel entrusts us with ministry (2Ti 1:11)
            4. The gospel engenders hope in the certainty of our salvation (2Ti 1:12)
      4. Reverence the gospel as treasure to be guarded and preserved (2Ti 1:13-14)
         1. Hold on to the apostolic gospel in faith and love (2Ti 1:13)
         2. Honor the gospel deposit by guarding it through the power of the Holy Spirit (2Ti 1:14)
      5. Recognize that suffering for the gospel is scandalous to some and an opportunity to serve for others (2Ti 1:15-18)
         1. Suffering for the gospel will cause some to stumble (2Ti 1:15)
         2. Suffering for the gospel will compel some to serve (2Ti 1:16-18)
            1. The request for blessing (2Ti 1:16a)
            2. The reason (2Ti 1:16b)
            3. The readiness/eagerness to serve a suffering brother (2Ti 1:17)
            4. The request expanded (2Ti 1:18a)
            5. The reputation well-known (2Ti 1:18b)
   2. Be undeterred [be steadfast] in your service to the Lord and His suffering servants in hope (2Ti 2:1-13)
      1. Be faithful and patient in your ministry (2Ti 2:1-7)
         1. Be strong and train other faithful men in the gospel ministry (2Ti 2:1-2)
            1. The command—be strong in the grace of Christ (2Ti 2:1)
            2. The commission—entrust these things to other faithful men (2Ti 2:2)
         2. Be steadfast and suffer hardship in hope of the reward (2Ti 2:3-7)
            1. The illustrations of endurance and reward (2Ti 2:3-6)
               1. The reward of a good soldier—commendation by his commanding officer (2Ti 2:3-4)
                  • The command
                  • The commendation
               2. The reward of an athlete who finishes the competition—the crown of glory (2Ti 2:5)
               3. The reward of the hardworking farmer—enjoying the fruit of his labors and finding rest (2Ti 2:6)
            2. The illumination of God while considering the illustrations (2Ti 2:7)
               1. aa. Ponder the illustrations
               2. bb. Praise God for His illumination of His Word
      2. Be mindful of the ultimate motivation for faithful ministry (2Ti 2:8-13)
         1. Remember the foundational truths about Christ and the glorious gospel of salvation (2Ti 2:8-10)
            1. He is the resurrected God-man, King and Messiah (2Ti 2:8)
            2. Believers endure suffering for the sake of the salvation of the elect and eternal glory to come (2Ti 2:9-10)
               1. Paul suffered chains for the gospel (2Ti 2:9a)
               2. But the Word of God is not chained (2Ti 2:9b)
               3. Paul endured for the sake of eternal salvation of the elect (2Ti 2:10)
         2. Remember the faithfulness of Christ and truth about faith, faithlessness, and unfaithfulness (2Ti 2:11-13)
            1. The faithful saying (2Ti 2:11a)
            2. The future of believers (2Ti 2:11b-12a)
            3. The future of apostates (2Ti 2:12b)
            4. The faithfulness of Christ [even when believers fail to be faithful] (2Ti 2:13)
3. Proclaim the truth and be unashamed to confront error (2Ti 2:14-26; 2Ti 3; 2Ti 4:1-8)
   1. Focus your life and ministry on the clarity of God’s Word in the face theological speculation (2Ti 2:14-26)
      1. Confront error with the careful exposition of God’s Word (2Ti 2:14-18)
         1. Warn people solemnly not to fight over words (2Ti 2:14)
         2. Work diligently to handle accurately the Word of God (2Ti 2:15)
         3. Walk away from worldly and empty words (2Ti 2:16-18)
            1. The command (2Ti 2:16a)
            2. The concern (2Ti 2:16b-17)
            3. The case to consider (2Ti 2:17c-18)
      2. Cleanse yourself for honorable service to God (2Ti 2:19-22)
         1. The imperative—personal holiness is the responsibility of those who belong to God (2Ti 2:19)
         2. The illustration—pitchers can contain prized possessions or waste products (2Ti 2:20)
         3. The instruction—pursuing holiness will be honored and used by God (2Ti 2:21)
         4. The imperative—pursue holiness, while fleeing immorality (2Ti 2:22)
      3. Correct with gentleness those who are in opposition (2Ti 2:23-26)
         1. Walk away from ignorant speculations (2Ti 2:23)
         2. Work diligently at being patient and kind, while correcting error (2Ti 2:24-26)
            1. The character to pursue (2Ti 2:24-25a)
            2. The correction to be administered (2Ti 2:25bc)
            3. The conviction and/or conversion to the truth (2Ti 2:26)
   2. Focus your life and ministry on the sufficiency of God’s Word in an age of apostasy (2Ti 3:1-17)
      1. Recognize the peril of apostasy in the latter days (2Ti 3:1-9)
         1. The character traits of an apostate age (2Ti 3:1-5)
            1. The certainty of difficult times ahead (2Ti 3:1)
            2. The character of men in those times (2Ti 3:2-5a)
               1. Self-consumed (2Ti 3:2a)
               2. Covetous (2Ti 3:2b)
               3. Self-promoting (2Ti 3:2c)
               4. Verbally abusive (2Ti 3:2d)
               5. Contemptuous of parents (2Ti 3:2e)
               6. Ungrateful (2Ti 3:2f)
               7. Irreverent (2Ti 3:2g)
               8. Without natural affection (2Ti 3:3a)
               9. Unforgiving (2Ti 3:3b)
               10. Accusatory (2Ti 3:3c)
               11. Without self-restraint (2Ti 3:3d)
               12. Savage (2Ti 3:3e)
               13. Cynical/no interest in what is good (2Ti 3:3f)
               14. Traitorous (2Ti 3:4a)
               15. Daring (2Ti 3:4b)
               16. Conceited (2Ti 3:4c)
               17. Devoted to pleasure rather than God (2Ti 3:4d)
               18. Religious but disavowing God’s power (2Ti 3:5a)
            3. The caution—avoid such men (2Ti 3:5b)
         2. The conduct of apostates (2Ti 3:6-9)
            1. They prey on weak-willed, desire-driven people (2Ti 3:6)
            2. They prey on learners who never seem to learn the truth (2Ti 3:7)
            3. They protest against the truth, which ultimately reveals their folly (2Ti 3:8-9)
               1. The opposition of Jannes and Jambres to Moses (2Ti 3:8)
               2. The obvious failure of apostates to oppose the truth of God’s Word (2Ti 3:9)
      2. Remember and rely on the power and sufficiency of the Word of God (2Ti 3:10-17)
         1. Remember Paul’s teaching and example in the midst of suffering (2Ti 3:10-13)
            1. Paul’s ministry testified to both persecution and divine preservation (2Ti 3:10-11)
               1. Timothy had witnessed Paul’s persecution (2Ti 3:10-11a)
               2. Timothy has witnessed Paul’s perseverance and the Lord’s preservation (2Ti 3:11b)
            2. Paul maintained that both persecution and the rise of deception would characterize this age (2Ti 3:12-13)
               1. The promise of persecution (2Ti 3:12)
               2. The promise of progressive deception (2Ti 3:13)
         2. Rely on the wisdom, power and sufficiency of the Scripture (2Ti 3:14-17)
            1. The command to continue in the truth (2Ti 3:14)
            2. The content of the Scriptures—the wisdom that leads to salvation which is through faith in Christ (2Ti 3:15)
            3. The character of the Scriptures (2Ti 3:16)
               1. God-breathed
               2. Profitable
                  • For teaching
                  • For reproof
                  • For correction
                  • For training in righteousness
            4. The complete sufficiency of the Scriptures (2Ti 3:17)
   3. Finish your life faithfully and fulfill your ministry by proclaiming God’s Word whether people want to hear it or not (2Ti 4:1-8)
      1. Faithfully preach the Word (2Ti 4:1-4)
         1. The solemn accountability of preaching the Word (2Ti 4:1)
         2. The singular responsibility of preaching the Word (2Ti 4:2a)
         3. The steadfast consistency of preaching the Word (2Ti 4:2b)
         4. The specific applicability of preaching the Word (2Ti 4:2c)
            1. Challenge
            2. Censure
            3. Comfort
            4. With great constancy/patience
            5. With content driven instruction
         5. The sad prophecy about the future of preaching the Word (2Ti 4:3-4)
            1. The professing church will not endure sound doctrine (2Ti 4:3a)
            2. The professing church will enlist those who preach according to their own desires (2Ti 4:3b)
            3. The professing church will be eager for stories instead of scriptural truth (2Ti 4:4)
      2. Faithfully persevere in the work of the ministry (2Ti 4:5-8)
         1. Fulfill the ministry God has given you (2Ti 4:5)
            1. Focus in all things (2Ti 4:5a)
            2. Face hardship with fortitude (2Ti 4:5b)
            3. Faithfully proclaim the gospel (2Ti 4:5c)
            4. Fulfill your ministry (2Ti 4:5d)
         2. Follow Paul’s example—fight the good fight and keep the faith (2Ti 4:6-8)
            1. Count all of life and even death as worship (2Ti 4:6)
            2. Carry out your ministry with a view to the prize (2Ti 4:7-8)
               1. Embrace the struggle (2Ti 4:7a)
               2. Endure to the end of the race (2Ti 4:7b)
               3. Ensure that the faith has been properly guarded (2Ti 4:7c)
               4. Eagerly anticipate the prize (2Ti 4:8)
                  • Crown of righteousness
                  • Communion with the Lord
                  • Communion with all who have loved His appearing
4. Partner with those who are faithful in the ministry and unashamed to suffer for the gospel (2Ti 4:9-21)
   1. Be ready to partner with those who are faithful to the gospel and those who suffer for the gospel (2Ti 4:9-15)
      1. The call for ministry partnership (2Ti 4:9-13)
         1. The urgent request (2Ti 4:9)
         2. The unmistakable need (2Ti 4:10-11a)
            1. Demas deserted Paul and left for Thessalonica (2Ti 4:10a)
            2. Crescens was away in Galatia (2Ti 4:10b)
            3. Titus was away in Dalmatia (2Ti 4:10c)
            4. Luke alone was with Paul (2Ti 4:11a)
         3. The unlikely partner—Mark (2Ti 4:11)
         4. The unwavering messenger—Tychicus (2Ti 4:12)
         5. The unique needs of the situation (2Ti 4:13)
      2. The caution concerning ministry opposition (2Ti 4:14-15)
         1. Opposition is real and personal (2Ti 4:14a)
         2. Opposition will be repaid by the Lord (2Ti 4:14b)
         3. Opposition should be guarded against for the sake of the gospel (2Ti 4:15)
   2. Be realistic in your expectations of gospel partners (2Ti 4:16-18)
      1. Realize that men often fail (2Ti 4:16)
         1. Friends may fail you (2Ti 4:16a)
         2. Forgive and pray for those who do (2Ti 4:16b)
      2. Recognize that the Lord never fails (2Ti 4:17)
         1. Recognize the Lord’s presence in your trial (2Ti 4:17a)
         2. Recognize the Lord’s power in your trial (2Ti 4:17b)
         3. Recognize the Lord’s preservation in your trial (2Ti 4:17c)
      3. Rely upon the Lord to fulfill His promises (2Ti 4:18ab)
         1. He has promised spiritual rescue (2Ti 4:18a)
         2. He has promised heavenly rule (2Ti 4:18b)
      4. Reverence the Lord by proclaiming His eternal glory (2Ti 4:18c)
   3. Be relational in your communication and fellowship with others (2Ti 4:19-21)
      1. The call to greet ministry partners (2Ti 4:19)
         1. Greet Prisca and Aquila (2Ti 4:19a)
         2. Greet the household of Onesiphorus (2Ti 4:19b)
      2. The concern to update ministry partners (2Ti 4:20)
         1. The update on Erastus (2Ti 4:20a)
         2. The update on Trophimus (2Ti 4:20b)
      3. The communication of fellowship and affection (2Ti 4:21)
         1. The expression of need (2Ti 4:21a)
         2. The expressions of affection and fellowship (2Ti 4:21b)
            1. Eubulus
            2. Pudens
            3. Linus
            4. Claudia
            5. All the brethren
5. Prayer/Benediction (2Ti 4:22)
   1. A personal prayer for Timothy (2Ti 4:22a)
   2. A public prayer for the church (2Ti 4:22b)

¹For a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul see Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 9:1-30; Act 11:25-30; Act 12:25-28:31; 1Co 15:30-32; 2Co 6:4-5; 2Co 11:23-30; Gal 1:13-2:16; Phl 3:4-14; 2Th 3:8.

²For a biblical biography of Timothy see Act 16:1; Act 17:14-15; Act 18:5; 1Co 4:17; 1Co 16:10; Phl 2:19-23; 1Th 3:2; 1Th 3:6; 1Ti 1:2; 1Ti 5:23; Heb 13:23.