2 Timotheus

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2 Timothy 1 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on 2 Timothy 1 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

"Paul"
Although Second Timothy (1:1) claims to have been written by Paul, some scholars believe that it was written after his death.1

2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

"God hath not given us the spirit of fear."
Should we fear God?
The word fear in the King James has two meanings. The first meaning is “to have referential awe of,” to honour. The second meaning is “to be afraid of”, which is the meaning intended in this verse. Simply consult your dictionary.
So Christians should fear God, that is honor Him. But the sinner should fear God as well, that is be afraid of Him, who will be their fearful judge.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

"Who hath saved us ... according to his own purpose and grace."
God selected us to be either saved or damned, and there isn't a damned thing we can do about it.
Do humans have free will?
What the Bible says about determinism and free will
I'm not aware of any theologian defining the doctrine of election in the way the author of the SAB defines it, so we can simply dismiss his claims. The fact is that all have sinned. We all. We all deserve punishment. And who is going to save us from this punishment?
On free will: yes and no. See Acts 13:48.

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.