The big picture
2 Timothy 1 opens in verse 1 with “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but…”, and closes in verse 18 with “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many…” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, Jesus, Lord, ashamed, mercy. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Timothy · King James Version · 182 Timothy 1:1-6
1–6: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the…
2 Timothy 1:1–6 opens with “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is…” and reaches “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul writing from prison and urging Timothy to stir up the gift without shame or fear, with particular weight carried by Christ, Jesus, remembrance.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
2 Timothy 1:1-6
King James Version1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2 Timothy 1:7-12
7–12: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love…
2 Timothy 1:7–12 opens with “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” and reaches “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul writing from prison and urging Timothy to stir up the gift without shame or fear, with particular weight carried by ashamed, Christ, gospel.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the…” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
2 Timothy 1:7-12
King James Version7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11Where unto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:13-18
13–18: Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith…
2 Timothy 1:13–18 opens with “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in…” and reaches “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul writing from prison and urging Timothy to stir up the gift without shame or fear, with particular weight carried by Lord, knowest, mercy.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” Naming Christ and Hold keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Timothy 1:13-18
King James Version13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Timothy 1:1 begins with “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,”
Where the chapter turns
2 Timothy 1:10 forms a natural hinge: “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the…”
The final note
2 Timothy 1:18 leaves the reader with “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, Jesus, Lord, ashamed, mercy, remembrance help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.