If you were going to write a final letter to a family member or close friend, what would be some of the last things you would say and emphasize? It’s been said that last words are lasting words, and much can be gleaned from unique moments such as these. We find this powerful scenario come to fruition in the final letter the Apostle Paul wrote to his pastoral protege, Timothy, whom he calls “my beloved child” (2 Tim. 1:2). Writing from a Roman prison and anticipating his earthly departure, Paul’s last words have indeed proved to be lasting words, not only for Timothy—to whom he was writing—but also for us, to whom God’s Spirit was writing through Paul. And in the opening section of the letter, Paul reveals four powerful reminders that, if heeded by us, can refresh and embolden our faith.

The Roots of Paul’s Reminders

The opening lines of 2 Timothy follow Paul’s typical style of rooting his life, calling, and writing in the person and work of Christ Jesus. Paul recognizes that all he is comes from the outworking of God’s perfect will and from the grace, mercy, and peace that is generously lavished upon us. I like the way John Stott summarized these three opening blessings that run throughout the letter when he says, “We may perhaps summarize these three blessings of God’s love as being grace to the worthless, mercy to the helpless, and peace to the restless.”^[1]

Paul also emphasizes that his writing and ensuing reminders are “according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:1). Even though Paul was heading towards execution under the Roman government, he anchors his hope in the eternal life that the King of Kings provides. From this foundation Paul writes four gospel reminders for us to carefully consider.

Remember Prayer

This first reminder may seem elementary, but it’s much more difficult to embody. This is especially the case as Paul expresses that he remembers Timothy “constantly in my prayers night and day” (2 Tim. 1:3). We often can be too casual about prayer, seeing it as an optional activity to participate in when (or if) we have time. But for Paul, it was the engine for his gospel service, it was fueled by thanksgiving, and it was a matter of conscience. Interestingly, in this opening paragraph Paul uses four different Greek words that get translated into the English word, “remember.” In this first occurrence, the same word is used for both “thanksgiving” in the beginning of the sentence and “remember” in the latter half. This seems fitting, as Paul often writes elsewhere that unceasing prayer is directly linked to giving thanks in all circumstances (2 Thess. 5:17).

Do we have such a conviction about prayer that we must remember others in prayer constantly night and day? Prayer is not merely a spiritual activity, but a way of life with God. Yet we need to be reminded of this truth often.

Prayer is not merely a spiritual activity, but a way of life with God.

Practically, consider setting alarms or reminders on your phone to remember to pray. Or, as Paul likely maintained the Jewish practice of prayer three times a day, you could build intentional times of prayer around meals, car commutes, or morning and bedtime routines. The point is to weave prayer into the fabric of your daily rhythms so that it becomes a lifestyle.

Remember Suffering

Paul continues this very personal opening paragraph by saying that he remembers Timothy’s tears. We know from his previous letter that Timothy had a difficult pastoral assignment in the city of Ephesus, and one of the central themes of this second letter is to embrace and willingly share in the suffering that comes along with true gospel ministry (2 Tim. 1:8, 12, 2:3,9). Here, this word for “remember” means to “give careful consideration to, think of, care for, be concerned about, or keep in mind.”^[2] It follows, then, that if Paul remembers Timothy constantly in prayer he would also remember his suffering for the gospel. The tone of this text oozes with empathy and is accompanied by a longing to enter into the pain of others. As Paul wrote to the Romans that we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15), we are reminded that the best way to hold the tension between sorrow and joy (2 Cor. 6:10) is to show up in person with those who are suffering.

Who do you know that is suffering in their service to the Lord? Remember them, not only in prayer, but if possible make a point of personal contact with them. The result is a fresh filling of joy.

Who do you know that is suffering in their service to the Lord? Remember them, not only in prayer, but if possible make a point of personal contact with them. The result is a fresh filling of joy.

Remember Faith

Next, Paul issues the remembrance of a legacy of faith. The main thrust behind the use of this next word for remember is the act of stimulating someone to remember something, or in this case, someone. Paul calls to mind the generational impact of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, and declares that the sincerity, or genuineness, of faith that resides now in Timothy was first cultivated in them. While it’s been said that God doesn’t have any spiritual grandchildren, conveying the idea that each must own and decide for themselves what they believe, we cannot neglect the ways we are spiritually shaped by our family of origin—which is all, of course, guided by God’s sovereign hand.

Consider for a moment how your faith has been impacted by previous generations. Take time to remember specific people, thank God for them, and, if possible, personally share with them how their life of faith has shaped yours. For genuine faith is shaped over generations.

Genuine faith is shaped over generations.

Remember Grace

Lastly, Paul seeks to literally put in Timothy’s mind the gift of God’s grace in his life. It seems as though Timothy may have struggled with timidity amidst his difficult pastorate in Ephesus, and here he is reminded to not just think about but to “fan into flame,” or put into action, God’s empowering gift to serve and suffer for the gospel. This is a call for Timothy, and for you and me, to develop and mature the gifts of God’s grace, given to us to serve and edify the church. We must work out the gifts that by God’s grace He has worked in. As Dallas Willard once quipped, “grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning.” This is why God often administers His gifts of grace within community (i.e. “the laying on of hands”), and we must exercise those gifts for the benefit of others.

Lastly, we can be reminded here that not only does God’s grace give each person gifts to employ, but He gives to us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.” Again, I like the way John Stott summarizes 2 Timothy 1:7 – “Since he is the Spirit of power we may be confident of his enabling as we exercise our ministry. Since he is the Spirit of love we must use God’s authority and power in serving others, not in self-assertion or vainglory. And since he is the Spirit of self-control we must use them with seemly reverence and restraint.”^[3]

“Since he is the Spirit of power we may be confident of his enabling as we exercise our ministry. Since he is the Spirit of love we must use God’s authority and power in serving others, not in self-assertion or vainglory. And since he is the Spirit of self-control we must use them with seemly reverence and restraint.” — John Stott

So this week, may we seek to remember prayer, suffering, faith, and grace so that we may serve faithfully and courageously fulfill our calling.

Copyright © 2023, Justin Jeppesen. All rights reserved.

^[1]  John R. W. Stott, Guard the Gospel the Message of 2 Timothy, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 26.

^[2] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 652.

^[3]  John R. W. Stott, Guard the Gospel the Message of 2 Timothy, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 31.