I. Introduction (1:1-5)

A. Who is sending the letter (1:1)

B. Who is being addressed (1:2-5)

1 Paul’s relationship with Timothy (1:2-4)

2. Timothy’s Faith (5)

II. Stand Strong In the Present (1:6-2:26)

A. Timothy’s internal (personal) responsibility as a minister (1:6-1:18)

1. Maintain a fresh relationship with God (1:6, 7)

2. Stand strong (1:8-18)

a. Join Paul (1:8)

b. You have been chosen (1:9-11)

c. Paul’s example (1:12-18)

d. Christ is able (1:12-14)

e. Stand in the face of rejection (1:15)

f. Support is supplied (1:16-18)

B. Timothy’s external (public) responsibility (2:1-26)

1. Serve with a purpose (2:1-5)

a. Teach teachers (2:1, 2)

b. Remain single-minded (2:3-5)

2. Work consistently (2:6-19)

a. Endure and Christ will stand by you (2:6-13)

b. Prisoner for the Gospel (2:6-10)

c. Statement of faith (2:11-13

d. Be diligent (2:14-19)

e. Know the Gospel (2:14,15)

f. Avoid empty argument (2:16-18)

g. Rely on God (2:19)

3. Be set apart (2:20-26)

a. A clean vessel (2:20, 21)

b. Pursue righteousness (2:22, 23)

c. A gentle servant (2:24-26)

III. Stand Strong in the Future (3:1-4:5)

A. Apostasy will come (3:1-9)

1. Description of lifestyles in the future (3:1-5)

2. Specific examples of Jannes and Jambres (3:6-9)

B. Tools to confront Apostasy (3:10-4:5)

1. Follow Paul’s example (3:10, 11)

2. Expect persecution (3:12, 13)

3. Remember what you were taught (3:14, 15)

4. Rely upon the Scriptures (3:16, 17)

5. Preach the Gospel (4:1-5)

a. Stand strong in preaching (4:1,2)

b. Realize that people will not want to listen to truth (4:3-5)

IV. Paul’s Personal Example (4:6-22)

A. Hopeful in the face of death (4:6-8)

1. Content in his life (4:6, 7)

2. Hopeful in the future (4:8)

B. Paul’s situation (4:9-18)

1. Desires companionship (4:9-12)

2. Continues to study (4:13)

3. Warns against those who oppose the faith (4:14, 15)

4. Forgives those who abandoned him (4:16)

5. Strengthened in the Lord (4:17, 18)

C. Closing greetings (4:19-22)

1. Greet supporters (4:19)

2. News of friends (4:20)

3. Final call to come (4:21)

4. Final blessing (4:22)