Timothy was a close associate of Paul who was facing problems within the church that he was leading in Ephesus. In these personal letters, Paul gives practical pastoral instruction to his protégé, highlighting godliness and holy living to help Timothy fulfill his calling and effectively carry out his important tasks in the church.
Paul's gentle encouragement in these letters challenges Timothy to persevere in his faith—a faith that might have been weakening under the pressure of the church and the persecution of the world. Paul's godly counsel was helpful not only to Timothy, a first-century Christian leader, but is also helpful to each of us as believers today.
—ABOUT THE SERIES—
The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and incorporates:
John MacArthur (1939–2025) was a renowned pastor, Bible teacher, bestselling author, and conference speaker known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word. He served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, from 1969 until his death in 2025. With over five decades of ministry, MacArthur became one of the most influential voices in evangelical Christianity, reaching audiences worldwide through his preaching, writing, and Grace to You media ministry. He authored more than two hundred books and study guides, including the bestselling The Gospel According to Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, Slave, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.