"Home is Where the Heart Is"

August 23, 2026

Background: Acts 16:1-3; Philippians 2:19-22; 2 Tim. 1:1-6; 3:14-16;

Print: 2 Timothy 1:1-6; 3:14-16; Devotional: Matthew 12:4-50

2 Timothy 1:1-6 (ESV)
¹  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
²  To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
³  I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
⁴  As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
⁵  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
⁶  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

2 Timothy 3:14-16 (ESV)
¹⁴  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
¹⁵  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
 

2 Timothy 1 (Commentary)

2 Timothy 1:1-2 Paul identifies himself as an apostle—an authorized messenger—of Christ Jesus. Paul didn’t apply for the job. He served in the role because it was God’s will, allowing him to make known the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus (1:1). This is to be both the motivation and mission of all who are called into ministry. This is Paul’s second letter to Timothy (1:2), his son in the ministry. It’s also the last New Testament letter he wrote before his martyrdom.

1:3-4 Paul wants Timothy to know that he thanks God every time he remembers him in his prayers (1:3). Paul had a deep affection for this young man who had served with him so faithfully in ministry. He remembers Timothy’s tears, perhaps shed during their last parting, and longs to see him so that sorrow can be replaced by joy (1:4).

1:5 Timothy had a strong and sincere faith in Jesus Christ inspired by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. This serves as a reminder of how important a godly heritage is to a family. The family unit is God’s first and foundational institution for the transfer of the faith. When the family fails, the culture is in trouble. This passage also shows the powerful influence women can have on the life of a young man should his father be either absent or spiritually inactive. It is critical that parents and grandparents pass on their faith, in word and deed, to the next generation (see Judg 2:10).

1:6 Paul urges Timothy to rekindle the spiritual gift that he had received and that was recognized when Paul laid hands on him and validated his ministry. Timothy could not be passive about his spiritual gift and neither can we. God intends that we develop—keep fresh and vibrant—the gifts he provides for the benefit of others. We will be held accountable for failure to do so.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 What should Timothy do in light of this reality? Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. Don’t deviate from your present course. Continue to follow God through Jesus Christ. Keep to the truth of his Word. Timothy knew who had taught the Word to him initially (2:14): his mother and grandmother (1:5). He had known the sacred Scriptures from an early age. He knew firsthand that they alone could give him wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (3:15).

3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God (3:16). What does this mean? The doctrine of inspiration refers to the process by which God oversaw the composition of Scripture, guiding the authors to write exactly what he wanted them to write without error. The Greek word translated “inspired” is literally “breathed out by God.” Our God is unique in that he speaks—unlike other so-called “gods” (see Ps 115:4-5). Numerous times the Old Testament uses the phrase, “The Lord says.” Our God communicates. And he has worked supernaturally through the Holy Spirit to communicate perfectly to us through all of Scripture, which is the Word of God. When we read the Bible, we are reading the very words of the living God. “No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:20-21).

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