We have seen the place that II Timothy occupies in the revelation of the mystery, its

relation to the other prison epistles and that its key thought is a crown. Before the

teaching of the epistle in detail can be appreciated it is necessary to obtain a view of it as

a whole. When the outstanding items in its development have been noted it will be

possible to discern the structure, which, in its turn, will throw into prominence those

features which are designedly important and thus subdivide the subject-matter into

organic sections instead of the arbitrary and limiting division of chapter and verse.

In conformity with the writer's practice, the epistle opens and closes with salutations

and personal references. The introductory note extends from verse 1 to verse 7, while the

salutation follows the Amen of 4: 18.  The subject-matter of the epistle proper is

therefore contained between 1: 8 and 4: 18. We read through the first chapter, and are

struck with the two notes there sounded; a sad note because Paul and his message seem

largely to be forsaken; a jubilant note because, even though all in Asia leave him (1: 15)

he was not ashamed, for he knew Whom he had believed. The apostle also reaffirms his

threefold office: "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of

the Gentiles" (1: 11). We note that the word "preacher" is actually "herald" (Gk. kerux).

With these few scattered thoughts in mind, we glance at the close of the epistle. This

seems to commence somewhere about 4: 9, where the Apostle leaves the subject of his

martyrdom and crown, for more immediate matters. We only read one verse before we

find again the same sad theme as in chapter 1:: Paul and his message forsaken:

So, too, we discover a recurrence of the same jubilant note as is struck in chapter 1::

"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me" (4: 17), and that the word "preaching" in

verse 17 is kerugma, "heralding".  We also notice, that just as the Apostle says

concerning Alexander, who did him much evil, "The Lord reward him according to his

works" (4: 14), so in chapter 1: he says, concerning Onesiphorus, "The Lord grant him

that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day" (1: 18). From these facts it is very evident

that 1: 8-18 balances 4: 9-18.

Let us now turn our attention to the remainder of the epistle. Chapter 2: opens with a

strong insistence upon the distinctive teaching of the Apostle: "The things that thou hast

heard of me . . . . . the same commit . . . . ." (2: 2). Our minds go instinctively to the

parallel in the third chapter: "Thou hast fully followed my doctrine . . . . . afflictions,

which cane to me at Antioch" (3: 10, 11). Moreover, we perceive that the outstanding

teaching of chapter 2: has to do with suffering and reigning: a good soldier and a