The New Testament · The Letters of St. Paul · Book 62 of 73
Prophecy in 2 Timothy
Paul's last letter, written in chains, as he is “already being poured out like a libation.” He warns of hard times in the last days and of people who will not tolerate sound doctrine, and he answers with a charge: proclaim the word. Then he looks past his own death to the crown the Lord will give “on that day.”
In progress: 3 passages so far
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The book at a glance
The second letter to Timothy presents itself as Paul's farewell, written from prison in Rome near the end of his life (1:8, 17; 4:6). Most of his companions have gone; Luke alone is with him (4:11). It is the most personal of the Pastoral Letters, and like them it is received by the Church as inspired Scripture whether Paul wrote it himself or, as some scholars hold, a disciple wrote it in his name.
Its prophecy concerns the Church's own life: corruption and false teaching “in the last days,” which the NABRE note says are already present in the letter's time. Its promise is the Lord's appearing, when he “will judge the living and the dead” and give the crown to all who have longed for him.
Key to the labels
How a passage stands
Fulfilled Accomplished in history, above all in Christ.
Unfolding Being worked out now in the life of the Church.
Future Clearly still to come at Christ's return.
Mystery Its meaning or moment is not yet settled.
What kind of passage it is
Prophecy God's word through a prophet, or Christ, about what will come.
Promise A pledge God makes, kept over generations.
Type A person or event that foreshadows Christ or the Church.
Image A picture Scripture returns to and completes at the end.
Apocalypse A vision unveiling history from heaven's side, in symbols.
More on the labels
| Passage | Subject | Standing |
|---|
| 3:1–5 | Terrifying times in the last days | Unfolding |
| 4:1–4 | Proclaim the word; people will not tolerate sound doctrine | Unfolding |
| 4:6–8 | The crown of righteousness on that day | Future |
The passages
“But understand this: there will be terrifying times in the last days.”
- Reading
- A list of vices follows: “People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive,” and at the end “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” who “make a pretense of religion but deny its power” (3:2–5). Then comes a surprise: “Reject them” (3:5). Timothy is to deal with these people now. The NABRE note says the moral depravity and false teaching expected in the last days are already at work.
- Why unfolding
- The “last days” span the whole age of the Church. The list describes every generation in part, which is why it should be read as a mirror before it is read as a sign. Paul adds: “all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (3:12), and gives the remedy, the Scriptures, “capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:15).
- See also
- 1 Timothy 4:1–3; Matthew 24:12.
“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers…”
- Reading
- The charge is given “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,” and by his appearing and his kingly power: “proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient” (4:1–2). The Catechism cites 4:1 in its teaching that Christ is judge of the living and the dead (CCC 679). The warning that follows is not a reason to fall silent but the reason to preach: people “will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths” (4:4).
- Why unfolding
- “Insatiable curiosity” is literally “itching ears,” as the NABRE note explains. Every age has its teachers who say what such ears want. The Church's answer in every age is the same: patient, persistent preaching of the word.
“From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.”
- Reading
- “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith” (4:7). Facing death, Paul looks to “that day,” the day of Christ's appearing and judgment, when the Lord rewards each according to his works (CCC 682). The crown is not his alone: it is promised to all who love the Lord's coming.
- For now
- Longing for his appearance is itself the mark of those who receive the crown. The hope of the last things is meant to be loved, not feared.
- See also
- 2 Timothy 1:10, 12; 1 Corinthians 9:24–25; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10.
Still to come on this pageFurther passages to add: the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, “who destroyed death” (1:10), “if we persevere we shall also reign with him” (2:11–13), and the error of those “saying that [the] resurrection has already taken place” (2:18).
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