2 Timothy: Structure

The second letter to Timothy contains instructions for pastoral care within the Christian community.

The letter begins with an introduction, address and greeting. In this letter, Timothy is reminded of the previous letter, and called upon to remain steadfast in preaching the gospel, even though he will be persecuted for this (2 Timothy 1:3–2:13) just as Paul was. In the second half of chapter 2 and in chapter 3, he is encouraged not to be swayed by the clever talk of people who oppose the truth. This section is concerned not so much with setting out the features of the false teaching but rather with a description of the crisis that will precede the coming of God’s Kingdom.
From 2 Timothy 3:10 on, Timothy is called upon to keep to what he has been taught and to follow those who have modelled and taught the Scriptures. The letter ends with a request for Timothy to return quickly to Paul in Rome and with news of other co-workers of Paul.