Passing the Baton

We are beginning a new series in 2 Timothy. If you remember from 1 Timothy, Paul had sent Timothy to Ephesus to put things in order in the church, and he had; but now it appears Timothy was struggling with remaining in ministry, a waning zeal. Perhaps it was because Paul was in prison, persecution was on the rise from the Roman government, as well as conflict in the church with false teachers who had continued to make inroads into the church even after Timothy rebuked them. Timothy was a young man, often battling sickness, who had a timid personality and was about to lose his spiritual father.

Paul was critically aware of the need to persevere in guarding the good deposit of the gospel. Who will do it? Paul is writing to Timothy this second letter to pass the baton to Timothy. Paul writes to encourage Timothy, his beloved child, to follow his example in persevering and preaching the gospel of truth. This letter is meant to encourage us in our responsibility to strive to live faithfully in days of fatigue and trials.