2 Timothy

• DatesAbout AD 64–67 if Paul wrote it (debated)
• GenrePaul’s Letters
• AuthorshipPaul according to the letter; authorship debated
• TimelineEarly Church
• Key texts2 Timothy 1; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; 2 Timothy 4
• Read the text2 Timothy in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 4

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  The letter has Paul in prison, expecting death and asking Timothy to come, bringing Mark and his cloak and books.2 Tim 1:8; 2 Tim 4:6–13

• Debated

  See 1 Timothy for the debate over the Pastoral letters. Of the three, 2 Timothy is the one most often accepted as containing genuine words of Paul, because of its personal details.2 Tim 4:9–22

• Christian conclusion

  Christians read 2 Timothy 3:16 as teaching that Scripture is inspired by God.2 Tim 3:16–17