Timothy was a younger colleague of Paul whom the Apostle Paul probably met on his first missionary journey in Acts. Paul’s frequent reference to him as his son may indicate that he was a Pauline convert, but the evidence is not clear. It is believed that Paul may have used the expression “son” to refer to Timothy as his “son in the ministry”. Timothy was the recipient of the letter in second Timothy from Paul and when Paul refers to him as his “dear son” it is an expression of affection.
Historical
A. Date
According to Frank Gaebelein in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, “It is obvious that the second Epistle to Timothy was written no later than A.D.67. He also states that it may have been as early as 65 and if we assume omitted details in the book of Acts account, earlier dates might be possible.
B. Location/Setting
Frank Gaebelein says, Second Timothy was written from prison in Rome, shortly before the Apostle Paul’s death. He goes on to state that Timothy was in Ephesus when Paul wrote to him. It is often alleged that the church structure in the Pastoral Epistles reflects the church in the early second century instead of the first.
C. Authorship

The authenticity of Paul’s correspondence with Timothy and Titus went unchallenged until the nineteenth century. According to Philip Towner, the greeting first identifies the writer and then redefines the identification of Paul. Thomas Lea states that many contemporary interpreters feel that the name “Paul” in all three Epistles (I & II Timothy, Titus) is a pseudonym and feel that an admirer of Paul penned the letters at a time after Paul’s death and used the name of Paul in order to secure acceptance of his ideas. Lea goes on to say that some maintain that the writings contain genuine Pauline fragments. Köstenberger says that the opening of second Timothy resembles that of first Timothy and that Paul identifies himself as the writer and called Timothy his “dearly loved child.”

Literary
A. Genre
The Pastoral Epistles conform to the standard format of the ancient letter, including an opening salutation, a body with features such as a thanksgiving and the main content and a closing greeting. The Pastorals are naturally dominated by a hortatory, moralizing mood. Buttrick states that the writer will confront the world with a stabilized rule of faith and doctrine, organization and ministry, a stabilize form of worship, in which common-sense virtues will demonstrate to all men the soundness and worth of the church.
B. Purpose
Köstenberger states that second Timothy is the most personal of Paul’s letters. Paul’s primary concern was not to describe the respective heresy in question but to refute it.
Gaebelein states that these epistles are called “pastoral”, because they are addressed to pastors of churches to outline their pastoral duties. He goes on to state that “the occasion and purpose of second Timothy are stated more fully. Paul is in prison at Rome, awaiting his expected execution. He longs to see his “son” Timothy, he is getting cold in the dungeon and urges Timothy to come before winter and to bring a warm coat and book so he can study.”
Lea states that Paul’s mood in second Timothy is utterly different than that of the other two Pastorals. The writer goes on to state that despite his imprisonment and the likelihood of death Paul was not discouraged and reminded Timothy of the faithfulness of God as he prepared him to carry on the work of Christ even after he was gone.
Theology
Thomas Lea says that “those who reject Pauline authorship of the Pastorals emphasize that the theological content of the Pastorals varies too much from the genuine Pauline writing and they also note the absence of discussion about the fatherhood of God and union with Christ.
10) But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
Paul expressed active examples of his commitment in order to urge Timothy to resolute action. According to E. Glenn Hinson, “Paul proceeds to contrast Timothy with the Ephesians charlatans. As Timothy shared Paul’s missionary labors and trials, he knew already the cost of his discipleship. The charlatans would progress only in the direction of greater evil but Timothy however, must stand fast with confident assurance by virtue of those who had taught him the gospel.”
11) You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.
Paul uses examples of his passive commitment in the face of persecution and affliction and that it was a hardship endured in faithfully spreading the Gospel.
12) Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Christians will suffer because the world is hostile to the kingdom of God and these words were an empathetic appeal for Timothy to join Paul in suffering. Towner says that verse 12 states the corollary: godliness brings persecution and that this belongs within the entire eschatological matrix of thoughts that comprises Christian existence.
13) But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
Paul described the false teachers as “evil man” and branded them as religious swindlers and imposters. One who allows himself to be seduced by the errors of the Ephesians deviationists must expect his condition to worsen; not only will he deceive others but his condition will proceed from bad to worse until total spiritual will be his portion.
14) But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15) You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
Timothy was not to be led astray by these imposters, instead, he is to continue in what he had learned and had “become convinced of”, “have been firmly persuaded of”, have been assured of”. Howard states that Timothy had had the benefit of many Christian teachers, chief of whom was Paul himself. He goes on to state that verse 15 is a tribute to the faithful instruction he had received from godly mother and grandmother.
16) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
“All Scripture is God-breathed.” That is exactly what the Greek says. The Adjective theopneustosis is compound for theos, “God” and the verb pneo, “breathe.” This is one of the greatest text in the NT on the inspiration of the bible. Clifton Allen states that correction, is another once-word in the Pastorals, and refers to the positive side of discipline, the correcting of the erroneous and setting them on the right path. 17) God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
The purpose of all this is that “the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” Paul is saying in effect that no man is prepared to serve God adequately in the work of the ministry without a thorough knowledge of the Word of God.

Bibliography

III, Tremper Longman, and David E. Garland, eds. Ephesians - Philemon (The Expositor's Bible
Commentary). Revised ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

Allen, Clifton J., ed. The Broadman Bible Commentary, Volume 11. Louisville, KY: Baptist Sunday School Board, 1971.

Buttrick, George Arthur, ed. The Interpreter's Bible. Vol. 11, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews. Ann Arbor: Abingdon Press, 1953.
Gaebelein, Frank E., ed. The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.
Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament: 5th Edition. 5 ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.
Howard, R.E., et.al. Beacon Bible Commentary. Volume IX. Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I and II Thessalonians; I and II Timothy, Titus; Philemon. Kansas City, MI: Beacon Hill Press, 1965.
Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: an Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2009.
Lea, Thomas D., Hayne P. Griffin, and Jr. 1, 2 Timothy, Titus. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 1992.
Towner, Philip H. The Letters to Timothy and Titus. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2006.

Reference Books
Revised, completely, and expanded edition of the three-million copy bestseller. Zondervan Handbook to the Bible. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999.