A. INTRODUCTORY GREETING (1:1, 2)

B. PAUL THANKS GOD FOR TIMOTHY’S “UNHYPOCRITICAL FAITH” (1:3-5)

C. PAUL ENCOURAGES TIMOTHY TO REMAIN FAITHFUL (1:6–2:13)

• Timothy to keep God’s gift in him ablaze (1:6, 7)

• Reasons why Timothy should not be ashamed of the good news (1:8-12)

• Timothy encouraged to “keep holding to the standard of wholesome words” (1:13, 14)

• Onesiphorus praised for his courage in assisting Paul (1:15-18)

• Timothy urged to entrust the things he has learned to qualified men, who can teach others (2:1, 2)

• Lessons to be learned from illustrations of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer (2:3-7)

• Paul’s example of endurance while suffering (2:8-13)

D. A SUCCESSFUL FIGHT AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS (2:14-26)

• Timothy instructed to handle “the word of the truth aright” as a workman approved by God (2:14-18)

• “The solid foundation of God remains standing” despite the efforts of false teachers (2:19)

• Illustration of various utensils in a large house (2:20-22)

• “A slave of the Lord” needs to deal with opposers and others in a gentle and mild manner (2:23-26)

E. PEOPLE “IN THE LAST DAYS”; APOSTATES ALREADY PRESENT (3:1-13)

• People will love themselves, money, and pleasures instead of God (3:1-5)

• The folly of apostates will be plain to all (3:6-9)

• Paul’s example of endurance (3:10-12)

• Wicked men “will advance from bad to worse” (3:13)

F. PAUL’S CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS (3:14–4:5)

• Adhere to inspired Scripture, which makes “the man of God” fully competent (3:14-17)

• “Preach the word . . . Fully accomplish your ministry” (4:1-5)

G. PAUL’S PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS A PRISONER (4:6-18)

• Paul is confident that he has “run the race to the finish” (4:6-8)

• Personal requests and observations (4:9-18)

H. FINAL GREETINGS (4:19-22)