THE ORGANIZATION OF II TIMOTHY

The initial impression left upon reading these epistles has been expressed as follows:

“There is a lack of studied order, some subjects being treated more than once in the same letter without apparent premeditation.” (Guthrie)

    “The Pastorals are made up of a miscellaneous collection of material. They have no unifying theme; there is no development of thought.” (Hanson)

Hints of an overarching organization to these paired epistles I and II Timothy appear, however, when one considers the distribution of the combined terms “Christ” and “Jesus.” This dual designation is used exactly 14 times each in the two books; eight times as “Jesus Christ” and six times as “Christ Jesus” in the first epistle, with the ratio reversed in II Timothy.

Section Divisions

The overall impression of chaos in approaching the Pastorals is reinforced when one considers how to divide them into smaller literary segments. A survey of ten commentaries on II Timothy revealed no two of them to be in complete agreement on the boundaries of its subsections. This uncertainty is most obviously demonstrated by examination of the various divisions offered just by one particular scholar of note in his various writings:

Figure 1: Donald Guthrie’s Divisions for II Timothy

1:1-2 1:3-5 1:6-14 1:15-2:2 2:3-26 3:1-9 3:10-17 4:1-18 4:19-22

        (The Pastoral Epistles)

1:1-2 1:3-5 1:6-14 1:15-18 2:1-26 3:1-9 3:10-17 4:1-18 4:19-22

        (New Testament Introduction)

1:1-14 1:15-18 2:1-26 3:1-9 3:10-17 4:1-22

        (The New Bible Dictionary)

The difficulty in precisely dividing the text into its component parts may lie with the style of writing, described by Hendricksen, for II Timothy, as follows:

“There are no sharp divisions. Rather, the emphasis gradually shifts from one point to another. When a new point is made, the old one is not entirely relinquished. The thoughts overlap like shingles on a roof.”

Lea and Griffin similarly state, “Formal divisions of the letter are difficult to make, for we pass quickly from one exhortation to another.”

There appear to have been few thoroughgoing attempts to find an overall organization for this second epistle to Timothy. First evidence of a possible literary plan behind the composition comes from the author’s seven-fold use of the phrase “in Christ” in the letter. In broad terms, II Timothy has been defined as a three-part composition consisting of an introduction, body and conclusion. But even this vague definition breaks down if one compares different commentator’s views on the bounds of the body per se, which encompasses, for example, 2:1-3:17 according to Wallis and 2:1-4:8 by Brox’s analysis.

Wallis’ scheme goes further by dividing the book into a triad of triads:

I. Introduction (1:1-18)

A. 1:1-2 B. 1:3-5 C. 1:6-18

II. Body (2:1-3:17)

A. 2:1-7 B. 2:8-26 C. 3:1-17

III. Conclusion (4:1-22)

A. 4:1-5 B. 4:6-8 C. 4:9-22

He declares, “The chief point on which the structure turns is Paul’s presentation of the Gospel [in the hymn of 2:11-13] as a trust to be preserved, cherished, and committed to faithful men.” Wallis’ structure is simple and does have the effect of highlighting one of the “faithful sayings” peculiar to the Pastorals. However, this plan does not account for (a) the unusual presence of “Amen” at 4:18 or (b) the recognized breaks in thought that occur between 1:14 and 2:1 and between 4:15 and 4:19. The structure proposed in Fig. 2 is an attempt to correct those omissions.

Figure 2: The Structure of II Timothy

    I. Suffering (1:1-2:13)

Introductory Words (1:1-7)

A. Suffering (1:8-14)

B. Paul and acquaintances (1:15-18)

A'. Suffering (2:1-10)

Concluding Hymn (a faithful saying) (2:11-13)

II. Charges to Timothy (2:14-26)

A. Avoid Disputes (2:14-17a)

B. Paul and acquaintances (2:17b-19)

A'. Avoid Disputes (2:20-26)

II'. Charges to Timothy (3:1-4:8)

A. Last Days (3:1-9)

B. Paul and acquaintances (3:10-17)

                                                            A'. Last Days (4:1-8)

    I'. Suffering (4:9-22)

B. Paul and acquaintances (4:9-16)

A. Suffering (4:17-18) – hymn ending in “Amen”

B'. Paul and acquaintances (4:19-21)

Final Blessing (4:22)

Note that this pattern results in part from a peculiarity of this letter that sets it apart from its companion epistle: the utilization of concrete examples of individual behaviors, both good and bad, to illustrate some of the general truths being set forth. II Timothy totally lacks those references to particular groups of people within the church that marked I Timothy and helped define its literary structure.

Although the overall division of verses shown in Fig. 2 has no exact parallel with that of any one commentator, there is confirmation for many of the particular section bounds in the literature:

Section                                                                         Ref.

I: Introductory words                                                  most commentators

IA                                                                                Knight, Guthrie, Stibbs

IB                                                                                Knight, Towner

IA'                                                                               Knight, Stibbs, Ward, Brown

II                                                                                 Stibbs, Ward, Karris, Towner

II'A                                                                              most commentators

II'B                                                                              most commentators

II'A'                                                                             Knight, Towner

I'                                                                                  Gundry

I'B'                                                                               most commentators

Sections I (1:1-2:13) and I' (4:9-22)

Many scholars treat the first five verses of the epistle as a separate introductory section (further divided into a Greeting, 1:1-2, and Thanksgiving, 1:3-5). However, divorcing these verses from the body of the letter fails to take into account their strong verbal ties with the verses that follow, for example: “in (Christ) Jesus” (1:1,9,13), “life” (1:1,10), “apostle” (1:1,11), “our Lord” (1:2,8), “grace” (1:2,9), “mercy” (1:2,16, 8), Timothy as a “son” (1:2; 2:1), “day” (1:3,12,18), “I am sure that” (1:5,12) and “faith” in the sense of trust (1:5,13). In many of these cited examples, these are the only instances of these particular words being used in the whole epistle. Inclusion of the opening words with the rest of Section I increases the appearances of “God” in this unit to exactly seven. The introductory words that begin this section are balanced by the closing hymn (“a faithful saying”) of 2:11-13. Alternatively, if one agrees with the analysis of 1:9-10 as the remnant of a hymn, then it may be viewed as the poetic element that balances 2:11-13. (Stibbs)  Towner detects echoes of the Epistle to the Romans at 1:7 and 2:11.

The ABA' structure that characterizes the bulk of Section I is a solemn exhortation to Timothy “interrupted” with a description of some of Paul’s acquaintances. This exhortation deals primarily with the theme of suffering for the faith, and is further characterized by repeated use of the phrase “not ashamed” (1:8,12,16).

Some of the specific verbal and thematic similarities between IA and IA' (and their respective introductions and conclusions) include: “in (Christ) Jesus” (which acts as an inclusio for both IA and IA'), the characterization of Timothy as a child (1:1; 2:1), appeals to Timothy's loyalty to Pauline teaching, references to Paul's sufferings as a prisoner of the faith (1:8,12; 2:8-14), statements of the present and future aspects of salvation in 1:9-10,12; 2:11-13, “strength/ strong” (1:8; 2:1), “gospel” (1:8,10; 2:8), references to the resurrection of believers (1:10; 2:8-12), “teacher” (1:11; 2:2), “these things” (1:12; 2:2), “deposit / commit” (1:12,14; 2:2), “you have heard from me”(1:13; 2:2), “word(s)” in the sense of the gospel (1:13; 2:9), and “good” (1:14; 2:3). The compound Greek word translated as “join with in suffering appears in 1:8 and 2:3. Hanson believes it may have been coined by the author of II Timothy. These numerous parallels strengthen the contention of some scholars that the “many witnesses” of 2:2 were, in fact, those who had observed Timothy’s ordination mentioned in 1:6. (Knight)

Parenthetically, IA itself has been analyzed as a chiasm by Towner, with a surprisingly large number of parallel themes and language shared between 1:6-8 and 1:12-14.

Suffering is also the main theme of Section I', with a few basic differences. In the first place, the ABA arrangement of Section I is now reversed with the personal histories of those close to Paul found in the A elements. The center unit involves suffering, but sounds a triumphant note ending in a resounding “Amen.” Words and phrases which characterize this section include: the use of “the Lord” to refer to Christ in 4:14,17,18 and 22; “deserted me” as an inclusio for I'B (4:10,16); and the almost identical phrases that start and end I':

“ Do your best to come to me soon.” (4:9)

            “Do your best to come before winter.” (4:21a)

Lock detects echos of Psalm 22 in this section.

Comparing sections I and I' (especially the correspondingly lettered A and B sections), the greatest similarities are the shared theme of Christian suffering coupled with summary sketches of Paul’s acquaintances. Additionally, Paul shares with Timothy in these sections a number of items related to his own life, including his longing to see Timothy (1:4; 4:9,21), his appointment to proclaim the word (1:11; 4:17), his impending martyrdom (1:16; 4:9-10), his desertion by all his comrades (1:15; 4:10,16), but also God’s care over him (1:12; 4:17-18) as well as Jesus' faithfulness (2:13; 4:17). Towner points out Paul’s use of hyperbole in this letter at 1:15-18 and 4:11. Paul begins prayers/wishes with the word “may” in 1:16,18; 2:25 and 4:16b. Also, there is a wealth of parallel language in these two sections, as evidenced by the following examples: “keep,” “words,” “house of Onesiphorus,” “may,” “strong,” “Ephesus,” “recompense,” “you” (su), “strengthen,” “share suffering,” and “hear.”

Sections II (2:14-26) and II' (3:1-4:8)

These paired units possess identical patterns: warnings to Timothy that bracket a central section dealing with individuals. The theme of II is the avoidance of unproductive disputes on controversial subjects while II' deals with the related subject of false teachers coming in the last days. At the core of these discussions are two examples of undesirable behavior and two admirable examples, respectively, for II and II'. Hymenaeus and Philetus represent those who have departed from the truth while Timothy and Paul himself are offered as those to be emulated for their devotion to a foundation in the Word.

In addition to its overall theme, Section II is characterized by the presence of “God” as an inclusio (2:15,25) and the repeated word “some” (2:18,21). Section II' is marked by even more literary coherence. Most importantly, it is bounded by an inclusio formed by the phrase “that / last day” at 3:1 and 4:8. Additionally, some words and themes found in II Timothy only in this section include: “ministry” (3:5; 4:11), warnings against pointless discussions (3:7; 4:4), the idea of evil men proceeding (3:9,13), the phrase “but you (continue)” (3:10,14; 4:5), “patience” (3:10; 4:2), and “teaching / doctrine” (3:10,16; 4:2). Even some of the sub-sections have their own unique vocabulary. The “appearing” of Jesus serves as an inclusio for II'A' (4:1,8), which also contains the repeated phrase “at hand” (4:2,6). There are also two occurrences of “in Christ Jesus” within II'B (at 3:12,15). The parallel units II'A and II'A' have corresponding language also: “time” (3:1; 4:3,6), “truth” (3:7,8; 4:4), and similar observations in 3:5 and 4:3 that have been called by Guthrie “apocalyptic pre-visions.”

Below are tabulated some of the specific literary or thematic repetitions that confirm the structural parallels proposed in Fig. 2 for sections II and II':

Parallel(s)                                                                              Verses

                           “truth” (3x in each section)

                           a “charge” in the presence of the Lord       2:14; 4:1

                          “hear”                                                           2:14; 4:7

                          “truth” = the gospel message                       2:15; 3:7-8

                         “the word”                                                    2:15; 4:2

                         “(not) approved”                                          2:15; 3:8

                         “explaining/presenting the word”                2:15; 4:2

                         “proceed”                                                     2:16; 3:9,13

                         the teaching of avoidance behavior             2:16; 3:5

                        “progress”                                                     2:16; 3:9

                         true and false scriptures contrasted              2:16; 3:15

the progress of evil men contrasted              2:16,17; 3:9,13    

 turning from the truth                                   2:18; 4:4

comparison of Paul to Moses                        2:19; 3:16

midrash on a Pentateuchal text                      2:19; 4:16-18

“but also” construction                                  2:20; 4:8

“every good deed”                                         2:21; 3:17

repeat of same basic command                      2:21; 3:5

“lust”                                                              2:22; 3:6; 4:3

                        “righteousness”                                              2:22; 4:17

                        “faith” in the sense of trust                            2:22; 3:10

                        extended virtue list with “faith” and “love”  2:22; 3:10

                        “knowing that”                                               2:23; 4:14

                        “all”                                                                2:24; 3:9

                        “know(ledge of) the truth”                             2:25; 3:7

                        “devil”                                                            2:26; 3:3

                        the use of military metaphors                         2:26; 3:6