Grace, Mercy, Peace, & Joy

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. (2 Timothy 1:1–5)

How could a man chained in a Roman dungeon, awaiting execution, still overflow with grace, mercy, peace, and joy?

A Letter Written Under Duress

Second Timothy is a book written in distress. Paul is in a prison in Rome facing his imminent execution, and yet he still has joy and the peace of God. How is that possible?

This is Paul's last letter — significant when you consider that of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, thirteen were penned by the Apostle Paul. This is the final one. It is also the last of the series scholars call the pastoral epistles: three letters to two individuals, Timothy and Titus. We studied 1 Timothy and Titus last year; now we round out our study with 2 Timothy.

The Historical Context

The context matters greatly. Paul is in Rome awaiting a final trial, treated as a criminal though he had done nothing criminal other than preaching Christ. Public sentiment had turned against Christians, largely because of what happened a couple of years earlier under the emperor Nero, a lunatic by any account.

In AD 64 a huge fire swept through Rome, largely attributed to Nero himself, apparently so he could rebuild the city after the image he desired. That created a serious problem — when a leader sets fire to his own capital, people respond by taking him outside the city and putting him to death. To deflect public opinion, Nero scapegoated the Christians, this small sect of followers of Jesus seen as outsiders to Roman society. Sentiment shifted, and the movement's leaders were targeted. Peter, it is believed, had already been crucified in Rome by this time. Paul was next in line.

Suffering in Chains

Paul had already been on track to stand trial before Nero, and at least one trial has already occurred. He notes that at his first defense no one stood with him; everyone had departed. There was such fear among Christians that they had fled. So Paul writes this last letter to Timothy, whom he calls his son in the faith — a passing of the torch from a first-generation apostle to the next generation. If any movement is to continue, the baton must be passed, and it is in that passing that things often get dropped. Paul is determined that this not happen.

It is believed Paul was held in the notorious Mamertine prison, a horrible place, where he likely spent his last days before being beheaded around the end of AD 66. The text itself confirms his suffering:

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:8)

He suffers in chains: "The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain" (1:16). He is also in an obscure, hard-to-find place: "But when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me" (1:17). And in 2:9 he says he suffers "to the point of being chained as a criminal" — though the word of God is not chained.

Passing the Torch to Timothy

Timothy had watched the boldness of Paul at the high moments — preaching in Ephesus, Athens, and Corinth — and at the low moments, when Paul was beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, Ephesus, and Jerusalem. We might want to identify with Paul, the man of bold faith. But if we look honestly in the mirror, we probably identify more with Timothy, who struggled with timidity and was susceptible to fear and shame in the face of opposition.

So Paul's words of encouragement are meant to stir him up. He calls Timothy to remember the grace, mercy, and peace God has given him; to rely on the genuine faith he was raised in; to walk in his gifting; to be filled with the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind; not to be ashamed or fearful; not to shy away from suffering; and always to keep in mind the promise of life in Christ Jesus.

We have been privileged not to face the threat of persecution, though that could change. In other parts of the world, brothers and sisters suffer for the name of Christ at this very moment. The reality Paul and Timothy faced is the reality for many believers today. That is why Paul insists Timothy keep in mind the promise of life beyond this life. It is the gospel that brings life and immortality to light, and remembering that life beyond this life is essential when walking through the trials of this one.

The Five Commissions

In 2 Timothy chapters 1 through 4, Paul makes five commissioning statements.

First, guard the doctrine: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit" (1:13–14). The Spirit empowers, but Timothy must step forward and guard the truth committed to him.

Second, transfer the doctrine: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2:2). This is a crucial verse showing the transference of doctrine. Paul is generation one, Timothy generation two, the faithful men generation three, and those they teach generation four. The fact that we sit here two thousand years later testifies that Paul and Timothy did this work well. Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against her." The church will not die.

Third, keep them on track: "Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit... Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings" (2:14–16). Don't get distracted by periphery and secondary issues.

Fourth, preach the word: "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (4:1–2). Every generation needs this exhortation to clearly articulate God's word, having rightly divided it — and our day, here in North America, Western Europe, and around the world, is no different. It takes work; be diligent.

Fifth, fulfill the ministry: "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (4:5).

A Heart Centered on the Gospel

Pieced together, these five commissions reveal where Paul's heart and mind were as he faced execution. He knew his time was short — "the time of my departure is at hand" (4:6). And in dire straits, suffering in chains, his mind and heart were centered not on a pity party but on the message of the gospel and the ministry of the church. At the very least, that is inspiring.

For this reason 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 what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

It might not be a bad thing to put a star next to that verse and commit it to memory. Paul does not say "I know what I have believed" but "I know whom I have believed" — the One to whom I have entrusted myself. And because Christ is faithful and able, Paul can rest.

We Can Face Any Trouble With the Promise of Life

Our final point last week becomes our first point this week, because it is still applicable: we can face any trouble if we have the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Paul is the absolute testimony to that truth. In his life he experienced imprisonment, beatings, shipwreck, and false accusations, and now he awaits execution as a martyr — yet he has joy and gratitude. That is only possible when one has the promise of life in Christ.

So where do you get that promise? The simplest answer is the most translated verse in the Bible:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

This promise of life is available only by the grace and mercy of God in Christ — which is exactly where verses 1 and 2 of our text point. Notably, Jesus spoke John 3:16 to Nicodemus, one of the most religious men of his day, a learned scholar who surely believed himself a shoo-in for the kingdom by his good works. Jesus tells him, "Unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God." It befuddles him. The kingdom comes by grace and mercy, not by religious effort. We are justified by grace through faith alone.

Grace and Mercy Defined

God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died in our place. Grace is unmerited, undeserved favor, given as a gift not because of anything you have done. Mercy — by dictionary definition — is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

We must make clear to everyone we interact with that all of humanity is worthy of wrath because of sin. Through one man sin entered the world and spread to all, so that every one of us is a sinner, and the wages of sin is death. Sin is breaking God's law — a trespass if you were unaware, a transgression if you knew and did it anyway. All of us are guilty and worthy of punishment. Yet "He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" — by grace and mercy alone.

Because of this, Paul could say, "I am not ashamed." It is one thing to say with our words that we believe in Christ; it is quite another to entrust yourself to Him and act with full assurance according to that faith. That is what Paul was doing at the end of his life.

Peace That Surpasses Understanding

As Paul walks out that faith, the evidence is peace — amazing to consider. He is in a literal pit, a dungeon, and also in an emotional and mental pit, yet he evidences the peace that is from God. It is the same peace he described from another prison:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

I have watched some of you go through distressing situations and experience this peace. It is beyond understanding because, in the midst of it, you say, "I don't know how I have peace, but I have peace," and others watching ask, "How can you walk through this and have peace?" It is not a peace of yourself; it is the peace from God.

The Joy of a Pure Conscience

Paul's peace was so real that he could write, "I thank God" (1:3) — chained, awaiting execution for no crime but faithfulness to Jesus. He told us elsewhere to give thanks in all things, and by the peace that surpasses understanding he could do exactly that: "I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience." Though he experienced outward trial, he had inward peace — no turmoil, no conflict.

This leads to our next point: peace from God produces the joy of a pure conscience. After the first service I prayed with a woman new to our church, just passing through on a journey to know the Lord more. With tears in her eyes she shared that in 2004 her husband was killed in Iraq, and a few years later her eleven-year-old daughter died of cancer — yet she has the peace of God that surpasses understanding and is able to have joy in the midst of that turmoil. That is only possible by the work of God in our lives.

The Community of the Saints

Paul was given to persistent, continuous prayer: "Without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day." If Paul told you he would pray for you, you could be certain he did — unlike the rest of us, who sometimes forget and then face that pastoral landmine when someone thanks us for prayers we never offered. Even in chains, where everything around him invited a pity party, Paul says, "Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy" (1:4).

He longed for fellowship. The only one with him now is Luke, the faithful physician (4:11), very likely dictating this letter. Later Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark with him. Even facing opposition, he desires communion with brothers and sisters — which is our fourth point: the community of the saints increases our joy.

I have seen this many times. When a family experiences the loss of a brother, sister, spouse, or child, the one thing that seems to increase their joy is the gathering of the body of Christ. This is why I urge you to plug into our connect groups. Jesus came to give life, and that more abundantly — and that abundance is not lived independently of the body of Christ. God created us to live in connection with Him and with one another.

Genuine Faith Must Be Passed On

I thank God... when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. (2 Timothy 1:5)

Notice the humility of Paul. Though he had enormous influence in Timothy's life, he does not chalk up Timothy's genuine faith to his own influence; he credits the faith first found in Timothy's grandmother and mother. This is a vital truth for parents and grandparents: the faith you have is contagious and is meant to be handed down. Our fifth point: genuine faith must be passed on to others.

I am grateful for the genuine faith of my parents, who, when I was young, made me go to church even when I didn't want to. In my dad I saw integrity and honesty that comes from the Lord; in my mom an exuberance of faith that was sometimes embarrassing to a child but utterly genuine. Hands down, the greatest gift you can give your children or grandchildren is a genuine faith.

A genuine faith differs from mere faith in this way: it knows not only what you believe but why you believe it, and how to make that faith a reality in your life. We can hand down things to assent to, knowing when to say "amen" in the right places, but the importance lies in why we believe and how we live it out daily.

Compelled by His Love

Why would someone entrust themselves to Christ in this way? When a person begins to comprehend what Christ has done on their behalf, it compels them to entrust themselves to Him. As Paul told the Corinthians, "the love of Christ compels us" — and the greatest demonstration of that love is His body broken for us and His blood shed for us.

So today we partake of communion. The bread represents the body of Jesus, broken for us; the cup represents His blood, shed for us. We are encouraged in Scripture to do this regularly because it reminds us of what He has done, and in that reminder we are compelled to affirm our trust in Him once again.

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your grace; thank You for the goodness of Your mercy. We thank You for the joy that Your peace gives to us. We thank You for the rejoicing that the body of Christ brings to us. All of this is possible because Your body was broken for us and Your blood was shed for us. And so, God, as we worship You now in song and take and hold these elements, would You remind us — even in the physical act of holding and seeing these things — of Your great grace toward us; and when we partake of them together in a moment, would You remind us again. In Jesus' name, amen.