1. AUTHOR. — Paul.

2. DATE. — Probably 65–66 A. D., just before Paul suffered death.

3. TO WHOM WRITTEN. — To Timothy while at Ephesus.

4. HISTORICAL OCCASION. — While Paul was in prison the second time expecting that his death was near, when he wished to give Timothy further directions and de sired him to come to him.

5. LEADING TOPIC. — An exhortation to Timothy to be faithful to the gospel, to secure its promulgation, and to guard against false teaching, with personal matters relating to Paul's circumstances.

6. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To provide for the preaching and inculcation of the truths of the gospel, and to warn against turning from that to error.

7. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

(a) Rejoicing in the grace of God, Ch. 1. 165

(b) Exhortation to fidelity to the Script ures, Ch. 2.

(c) Warning against apostasy, Ch. 3–4:5.

(d) Paul's personal circumstances , Ch. 4:6-22.

8. SPECIAL TEACHING OF THE BOOK. — Immortality was revealed by Christ; fidelity to God's Word is necessary; the Scriptures were inspired of God; Paul being about to die was ready to depart.

9. RELATION TO OTHER N. T. BOOKS. — It is closely related to the former Epistle; it emphasizes still further the fact that the church must depend upon the Word of God for instruction.

10. TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDY. — The inspiration of the Scriptures; the practice and significance of laying on of hands.