Historical Setting & Context

The only person privileged to have two inspired letters written to him was the man Timothy, both from the apostle Paul.

Timothy was ministering in the church at Ephesus which had been established by Paul on his third missionary journey.

By the time Paul was done with his minstry there both the Jews and Gentiles in the city were openly hostile to 'the Way,' Jesus Christ. This hostility would eventually infiltrate the existing church in Ephesus.

Repeated exposure to the Word was revealing who these people were spiritually, as it does today. The unbeliever becomes calloused, hardened and eventually hostile in openly rejecting it. The believer, in contrast when exposed to the Word, will be softened, sensitized and transformed by it.

Paul writes to Timothy with a knowledge of the history and background of the church Timothy is ministering to, and of Timothy himself, so he includes instruction and warning. These inspired words from Paul as he ends his faithful ministry are necessary for the church today to heed in carrying out the Lord's purpose for His church.