After Paul's release from prison in Rome in a.d. 62 ()and after his fourth missionary journey , during which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus,
Paul was again imprisoned under Emperor Nero c. 66-67. It was during this time that he wrote 2 Timothy.In contrast to his first imprisonment, when he lived in a "rented house"
(; , he now languished in a cold dungeon (see ),chained like
a common criminal (). His friends even had a hard time
finding out where he was being kept (). Paul knew that his work was doneand that his life was nearly at an
end ().
Reason for Writing
Paul had three reasons for writing to Timothy at this time:
1. Paul was lonely. Phygelus and Hermogenes, "everyone in the province of Asia"(), and Demas
() had deserted him. Crescens, Titus and Tychicuswere away (),
and only Luke was with him ().
Paul wanted very much for Timothy to join him also. Timothy was his "fellow worker" (), who "as a son with his father"
(;) had served closely with Paul (see ). Of him Paul could say,
"I have no one else like him" (). Paul longed for Timothy () and twice asked
him to come soon (). For more information on Timothy see 1 Timothy .
2. Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time of persecution under Nero, and he admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel (),
to persevere in it (),
to keep on preaching it ()and, if necessary, to suffer for it ().
3. Paul wanted to write to the Ephesian church through his letter to Timothy (see ).