2 Timothy 1-4 (The Daily Walk Bible).

Paul starts out by encouraging Timothy, and reminding him of what he means to Paul. And there is a reason for it. Can you hear the pain when Paul says, “all the Christians…have deserted me”? He wants Timothy to be faithful to him, just like Onesiphorus was. Can you relate? Have you ever been betrayed? Think about the difference it made in your life to know that someone had your back, and try to be that person for someone else!

He also reminds Timothy of the way to remain faithful and the way to confront false disciples. It’s the same for both: the Word of God! Timothy needs to remember that all Scripture is important (2 Timothy 3:16), and that his main job is to “preach the Word” (4:2), even in the midst of suffering (4:5). In fact, Paul’s words seem to speak directly to us in our day and time: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (4:3-5).

Paul’s words to Timothy should resonate with us too. How do we stay close to God? How do we resist false teaching? Stay close to the Word! Paul’s reminder isn’t just for pastors, it’s for everyone!