Week 49 Spirit of Power 2 Timothy 1:1–14 (written c. 67 C.E.)

Getting Involved with God, by Ellen Davis “Almost always it is useful to linger over a word or phrase that seems strangely chosen… “Why does the Bible say it this way, instead of the way we might have expected?” … An unexpected word can jar us into contemplating new possibilities about how things really are.” (3)

“In the summer of 64, Rome suffered a terrible fire that burned for six days and seven nights consuming almost three quarters of the city. The people accused the Emperor Nero for the devastation claiming he set the fire for his own amusement.” http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/christians.htm http://www.william-turner.org/The-Burning-of-the-Houses-of-Parliament

“In order to deflect these accusations and placate the people, Nero laid blame for the fire on the Christians. The emperor ordered the arrest of a few members of the sect who, under torture, accused others until the entire Christian populace was implicated and became fair game for retribution.” http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/christians.htm http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/_images/_timeline/09_01.jpg

“As many of the religious sect that could be found were rounded up and put to death in the most horrific manner for the amusement of the citizens of Rome. The ghastly way in which the victims were put to death aroused sympathy among many Romans, although most felt their execution justified.” http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/christians.htm

The following account was written by the Roman historian Tacitus a few years after this event.

“In their very deaths (Christians) were made the subjects of sport: for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts, and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights. … For this cause a feeling of compassion arose towards the sufferers … because they seemed not to be cut off for the public good, but were victims of the ferocity of one man." http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/christians.htm

2 Timothy 1:1–14 DATE: c. 67 C.E. FROM: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, (imprisoned in Rome) TO: Timothy, (Τιμόθεος; Timótheos, “valuing God”; "honoring God”) my beloved child: (in Ephesus?) Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God —whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

Grateful to God Grace, mercy and peace Sincere faith Grandmother and mother Rekindle Cowardice (!?) Power Love Self-discipline STRONG words when placed in historical context! Imagine you are Timothy… What other words capture you as you read?

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

Timothy’s testimony and teaching is to be about a timeless, treasured truth. Testimony about our Lord God’s own purpose and grace Given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began For this gospel Standard of sound teaching Guard the good treasure entrusted to you

God. God is. God acts. God calls. God provides. Grateful to God Always praying Gift of God The power of God who saved us Abolished death He is able to guard With the help of the Holy Spirit living in us “Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ above me, all around me.”

Paul. Paul asks Timothy to do only what he has been willing to do himself. Do not be ashamed -- I am not ashamed Join me in suffering -- I suffer I was appointed a herald – I laid hands on you God … called us with a holy calling