Spurgeon's notes on 2 TIMOTHY

"Hold fast the form of sound words."
 

2 Timothy 1

The second epistle to Timothy is remarkable as being probably the last which the apostle wrote; it contains dying advice, written in the immediate prospect of martyrdom. Looking forward calmly to the grave, and with the executioner's axe in the foreground, Paul pens this letter to his favorite disciple, and solemnly charges him to abide faithful unto death.

2 Timothy 1:1-5

We see here the inmost heart of Paul. Deserted by many of his friends, and in the feebleness of old age, expecting a cruel death, he cherishes the memory of his beloved young disciple, and longs to look once more upon his face. With joy he remembers the holy mother and grandmother of his friend, and the sincere piety of Timothy himself. How natural and how touching!

2 Timothy 1:8-10

Do not hesitate to come to Rome and bear with me the reproaches and dangers which belong to the ministers of Christ,

2 Timothy 1:8-10

"The old man eloquent" feels his soul kindling as he describes the glories of the gospel, eternal in its purpose, matchless in its achievements. He sits on the brink of the grave, and sings of one who has abolished death. Faith in the resurrection could alone suggest such a triumphant exclamation.

2 Timothy 1:13

This is the main burden of the apostle's pleading with Timothy, "Hold fast." We have equal need of the same exhortation, for this is an evil day, and thousands hold everything or nothing as the winds of opinion may change.

2 Timothy 1:14-18

This good man is here immortalized. When he risked his life to find out and support a poor despised prisoner, he little knew that he would live forever on the page of the church's history. His cup of cold water given to an apostle has received an apostle's reward. Are there any yet alive like Paul to whom we might minister in love after the manner of Onesiphorus?

 

2 Timothy 2:1-4

Soldiers must be free from other business, and it is well for ministers not to encumber themselves with any other pursuit, but give themselves wholly to their Master's work. If so, their people must see that they are supplied with all they need, even as a nation sees that its soldiers have their rations and all other necessities.

2 Timothy 2:8, 9

This was his consolation, he was bound, but the gospel was not.

2 Timothy 2:10-13

Here we have another Christian proverb, and in fact a hymn of the early church. It should be learned by heart, and often quoted by us.

2 Timothy 2:14-16

We must keep clear of mystifyings, spiritualizings, traditions, and idle controversies. Plain sailing is best for Christian men.

2 Timothy 2:19

The sentences inscribed upon the seal are precious and practical: there is the secret of the Lord, and the open manifestation of it. Election and holiness are bosom companions.

2 Timothy 2:20, 21

Fit to be used of God! Is not this a glorious condition? Prepared not for some good work, but for every good work! Is not this a grand attainment? Let us aim at this, and never rest until we reach it.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

Leave theories for those who like them, and by the grace of God, love and live the realities of religion, whatever they may cost you.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5

These persons will be in the church, and trouble it exceedingly. Many such are already around us, and they are on the increase: it is little use controverting with them, or seeking to set them right: we had better leave them to their own devices, and as they are in the Lord's hands he will know how to deal with them.

2 Timothy 3:6, 7

These deceivers acted like Jesuits, spreading their doctrine secretly among the weaker sort. Truth fears not the light, but falsehood is a night bird, and flies abroad by stealth. If any religious teacher asks us to conceal from our friends what he has told us, we may be sure that he is good for nothing.

2 Timothy 3:8

Jannes and Jambres Pharaoh's magicians

2 Timothy 3:9

Paul laid bare the deceitful workings of the false teachers, boldly exposing them. However gentle we may be, we must not allow falsehood to be secretly spread, but must drag it to the light, and smite it until it dies.

2 Timothy 3:12

Christ's soldiers must expect hard blows. The cross is always to be borne by those who trust in the Crucified: it is idle and mean to endeavor to escape it.

"Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas?"

2 Timothy 3:13

There is no mending them, they must go on to the bitter end. Terrible will be their doom.

2 Timothy 3:14, 15

Happy Timothy to be thus prepared for the conflict with error! Happier still to be enabled by grace to remain steadfast in that truth which from a child he had been taught. Yet he needed to be exhorted to steadfastness, and so do we. Never, never may any one of us give ear to false doctrine, but may we cling to the gospel with all our might.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17

Never let us forget this. The whole of the Bible is inspired, and is to be devoutly received as the infallible truth of God. Get away from this, and we have nothing left to hold by. Whatever we do, let us never give up the Bible. Those who would weaken our reverence for it are our worst enemies.
 

2 Timothy 4

The chapter opens with a most solemn charge to young Timothy. Coming from one who was so soon to seal his testimony with his blood, Timothy must have felt the power of it as long as he lived. Aged believers should impress upon the young the value of the gospel

2 Timothy 4:1, 2

A minister is never off duty: he is not only to win souls whenever an opportunity occurs, but he is himself to make opportunities. Sound doctrine and seal must go together in equal proportions. Dr. Ryland well said, "No sermon is likely to be useful which has not the three R's in it—Ruin by the Fall; Redemption by Christ; Regeneration by the Holy Spirit. My aim in every sermon is to call sinners, to quicken the saints, and to be made a blessing to all."

2 Timothy 4:6

"I am already being poured out as a libation to God;" his sufferings had commenced, and he was ready to bear up under them even to death; yet how sweetly does he speak of his execution as a mere departure! He looked upon it only as a change of place, a removal to a better country.

2 Timothy 4:8

He looked on life as a battle, a race, and a trust, and having been faithful in all these he expected a gracious reward.

2 Timothy 4:10

As the leaves are gone in winter so do friends leave us in adversity.

2 Timothy 4:11

This proves that he had changed his opinion about Mark, concerning whom he had differed with Barnabas. The apostle was not like some who will never relent, he was as ready to praise, as once he was honest to censure.

2 Timothy 4:12, 13

Shivering in prison the poor and aged apostle needed his cloak. Desiring still to study the word of God he sent for his books and notes.

2 Timothy 4:14, 15

Paul spoke as a prophet, not out of private anger, but because the man opposed the gospel.

2 Timothy 4:16, 17

Probably Nero, who well deserved this title. It was well for Paul that grace was given him under the terrible ordeal of facing such a monster of cruelly.