II Timothy

The second epistle of Paul to Timothy was written shortly after Paul's first epistle.  Paul writes Timothy to encoruage him to be faithful.  He tells Timothy to guard his faith with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells Timothy to Endure strongly so that he may present himself to God as an approved workman.  Paul then goes on to say that everyone who confesses Christ must turn from their wickedness.  Many people theink that salvation is just the simple repetition of a little prayer.  It is much more than that.  It is rather your prenuptial agreement with God that you will surrender to his will as the Holy Spirit guides you and that you will live your life each day becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ.  Paul then goes on to speak of godlessness in the last days and of how many have a form of godliness but deny its power.  He talks of a people who will be lovers of themselves.  This kind of passage can be used to describe the Humanist Movement which began in 1933 in America and elevates humans to godlike status.  Paul tells Timothy that all scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching.  This may have veryb well been a slam on the Gnostics who argued that the God of the Old Testament was evil.  The only scripture that was treated with consensus at that time was the Old Testament.  Paul encourgaes Timothy to be prepared to preach tje word of God both in season and out of season.  Paul then closes the book with final greetings that he wants Timothy to send to people of which Paul is acqauinted with.