King James Version
2 Timothy
2 Timothy in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of 2 Timothy: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Paul, imprisoned at Rome and expecting death, in the letter’s own words. Many critical scholars group it with the Pastorals as later. Some who doubt 1 Timothy accept this letter. |
|---|---|
| Date | About AD 64–67 in one survey, shortly before Paul’s death. The same survey gives AD 90–110 if pseudonymous. |
| Place written | Rome, Italy, according to the letter itself. |
| Genre | A personal farewell letter. |
| Chapters | 4 |
| Verses | 83 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | 2 Timothy 3:162 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionAll scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:2 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
2 Timothy 1:1–22 Timothy 1:1–2 · King James Version1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:1–2 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) names Paul writing to Timothy, my dearly beloved son. 2 Timothy 1:172 Timothy 1:17 · King James VersionBut, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
2 Timothy 1:17 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Onesiphorus sought Paul out in Rome. 2 Timothy 4:6–82 Timothy 4:6–8 · King James Version4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6–8 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the time of his departure is at hand. 2 Timothy 4:112 Timothy 4:11 · King James VersionOnly Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
2 Timothy 4:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source says only Luke is with him. Eusebius, in Church History 3.2, cites 2 Timothy 4:21 for Linus at Rome, treating the letter as Paul’s from Rome. (2) The Muratorian fragment and Athanasius list two letters to Timothy. (3) (4) The critical debate about the Pastorals is set out on the 1 Timothy page. Many readers find the personal details in 2 Timothy 4:9–212 Timothy 4:9–21 · King James Version4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
2 Timothy 4:9–21 · King James VersionOpen the Source, such as a cloak left at Troas, unlikely in a forgery.
Who It Is Not
Timothy is the recipient. Luke is present but is not named as author.
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives AD 64–67, or AD 90–110 if pseudonymous. (5) Eusebius, in Church History 3.1, reports from Origen that Paul suffered martyrdom at Rome under Nero. (2)
Audience and Setting
Timothy, probably still at Ephesus. The purpose is to urge him to guard the gospel, endure suffering, preach the word, and come to Paul quickly.
Rulers at the Time
The letter names no emperor. Eusebius ties Paul’s death to Nero. (2) This page does not print Nero’s reign dates, because they were not checked for this essay.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Second imprisonment | Paul in chains at Rome. 2 Timothy 1:16–172 Timothy 1:16–17 · King James Version1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:1:17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.2 Timothy 1:16–17 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| First defense | No one stood with him. 2 Timothy 4:162 Timothy 4:16 · King James VersionAt my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.2 Timothy 4:16 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| The letter | AD 64–67 in one survey. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | Rome, Italy. | 2 Timothy 1:172 Timothy 1:17 · King James VersionBut, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.2 Timothy 1:17 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Troas | Ruins of Alexandria Troas, Çanakkale Province, Turkey. | 2 Timothy 4:132 Timothy 4:13 · King James VersionThe cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.2 Timothy 4:13 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Ephesus | Ruins near Selçuk, Turkey. | 2 Timothy 4:122 Timothy 4:12 · King James VersionAnd Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.2 Timothy 4:12 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
2 Timothy 1 urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel. 2 Timothy 2 calls him to endure as a soldier and to handle the word rightly. 2 Timothy 3 warns of perilous times and commends Scripture. 2 Timothy 4 charges him to preach and gives Paul’s farewell.
Key Themes
Endurance in 2 Timothy 2:32 Timothy 2:3 · King James VersionThou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The inspiration of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16–172 Timothy 3:16–17 · King James Version3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Faithfulness to the end in 2 Timothy 4:72 Timothy 4:7 · King James VersionI have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Timothy 4:7 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
2 Timothy 3:162 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionAll scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionOpen the Source says all scripture is given by inspiration of God. It is the main verse in discussions of inspiration. In context, it refers first to the Scriptures Timothy knew from childhood, in 2 Timothy 3:152 Timothy 3:15 · King James VersionAnd that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The authorship question is the same as for the other Pastorals.
How the Book Points to Christ
2 Timothy 4:12 Timothy 4:1 · King James VersionI charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Timothy 4:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source has Christ judge the living and the dead. 2 Timothy 1:102 Timothy 1:10 · King James VersionBut is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2 Timothy 1:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source calls him our Saviour who abolished death. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
Codex Sinaiticus contains the letter. (6) No major variant changes the argument.
Canon Reception
Received in the early lists. (2) (3) (4)
Further Reading
References
- Second Letter to Timothy, 1:1–2; 1:17; 4:6–212 Timothy 1:1–2 · King James Version1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
1:2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:1–2 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Church History, Book 3, 3.1–3.2; 3.3.5Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New Advent
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord's discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.
Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New AdventOpen the Source (Eusebius, Church History 3.3, 3.24–25, and 3.39, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent. Chapter 25 sorts books into acknowledged, disputed, and rejected. Chapter 39 reports Papias on Mark and Matthew.) - Muratorian fragment, 2 TimothyMuratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5
Moreover, the Acts of all the Apostles are comprised by Luke in one book, and addressed to the most excellent Theophilus, because these different events took place when he was present himself; and he shows this clearly-i.e., that the principle on which he wrote was, to give only what fell under his own notice-by the omission of the passion of Peter, and also of the journey of Paul, when he went from the city-Rome-to Spain.
Muratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5Open the Source (Roberts-Donaldson translation, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5. The Latin is damaged and the English follows restorations. The fragment lists the books read in the church and those rejected.) - Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, 2 Timothy (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives 2 Timothy as AD 64–67 (or AD 90–110 if pseudonymous). It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Codex Sinaiticus, About the manuscriptCodex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus Project
Codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript of the Christian Bible written in the middle of the fourth century, contains the earliest complete copy of the Christian New Testament.
Codex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus ProjectOpen the Source (The Codex Sinaiticus project’s description of the manuscript, a fourth-century Greek Bible with the earliest complete copy of the New Testament.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.