Sermons on 2 Timothy

Book Description

Preaching is the lifeblood of the Christian church. In every age God has used the proclamation of his word to bring men and women to repentance and faith in Christ, and to help them grow in grace.

Throughout his long ministry in Geneva (1536–38, 1541–64), Calvin was a tireless preacher. He spoke of course to a specific congregation and at a particular point in time. Even so his sermons have travelled well across both time and space. God’s word is not bound by history or geography, and Calvin’s French has a robust plainness and directness which allows it to cross barriers of language and culture with relative ease.

Of the 101 sermons which the Reformer preached in 1554–55 on the Pastoral Letters, thirty, on Paul’s second letter to Timothy, are presented here. They have been newly translated from the original French. They offer a clear, forthright exposition of the biblical text, but also challenge the reader to live out the truths taught, since to be profitable God’s word must transform the way we think, feel and act. In Calvin’s hands the sermon is an instrument of real and lasting change.

This volume completes the translation into modern English of Calvin’s Sermons on the Pastoral Letters of the apostle Paul. The companion volumes of Calvin’s Sermons on First Timothy (2018) and Calvin’s Sermons on Titus (2015) are also available from the Trust.

What the Pastoral Epistles meant to Calvin may be seen from the unusually frank comment which he makes when introducing his sermon series on Second Timothy:

‘If we read this letter carefully, we will see that God’s Spirit there reveals himself with such power and majesty that we cannot avoid feeling thrilled. For my part, I know that this letter has done me as much good as any book of Scripture. Every day there is something of value in it. I do not doubt that those who closely study it will feel the same. If we want the kind of testimony to God’s truth which will pierce our hearts, we can do no better than tarry here.’

Reviews

• Review by Jimmy Reagan

Table of Contents Expand ↓

	Introduction	ix
	Calvin’s Outline of Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy	xvii
	Sermon One: Loved by God (2 Tim. 1:1-2)	1
	Sermon Two: Remembered in Prayer (2 Tim. 1:3-5)	15
	Sermon Three: Fanning the Flame (2 Tim. 1:6-8)	33
	Sermon Four: Called and Saved (2 Tim. 1:8-9)	47
	Sermon Five: Why Election Matters (2 Tim. 1:9-10)	61
	Sermon Six: Guarding the Gospel (2 Tim. 1:13-14)	77
	Sermon Seven: Steadfast, Come What May (2 Tim. 1:15-18)	91
	Sermon Eight: God’s Strong Arm (2 Tim. 2:1-3)	107
	Sermon Nine: Present Toil, Future Fruit (2 Tim. 2:4-7)	123
	Sermon Ten: Risen in Glory (2 Tim. 2:8-9)	137
	Sermon Eleven: God Ever Faithful (2 Tim. 2:10-13)	153
	Sermon Twelve: Rightly Handling the Truth (2 Tim. 2:14-15)	169
	Sermon Thirteen: How to Combat Error (2 Tim. 2:16-18)	185
	Sermon Fourteen: A Sure Foundation (2 Tim. 2:19)	199
	Sermon Fifteen: Fit for God’s Use (2 Tim. 2:20-21)	213
	Sermon Sixteen: Striving for Maturity (2 Tim. 2:22)	227
	Sermon Seventeen: The Lord’s Servant (2 Tim. 2:23-25)	241
	Sermon Eighteen: In and Out of Satan’s Snare (2 Tim. 2:25-26)	253
	Sermon Nineteen: Hard Times Ahead (2 Tim. 3:1-5)	267
	Sermon Twenty: Always Learning, Never Knowing (2 Tim. 3:6-7)	279
	Sermon Twenty-One: God Vindicates His Own (2 Tim. 3:8-9)	295
	Sermon Twenty-Two: Forewarned and Forearmed (2 Tim. 3:10-13)	311
	Sermon Twenty-Three: God’s Word Makes Us Wise (2 Tim. 3:14-15)	327
	Sermon Twenty-Four: The Uses of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17)	341
	Sermon Twenty-Five: Pressing Home God’s Word (2 Tim. 4:1-2)	355
	Sermon Twenty-Six: Deceivers and Deceived (2 Tim. 4:2-4)	371
	Sermon Twenty-Seven: Taking Leave of Life (2 Tim. 4:5-6)	387
	Sermon Twenty-Eight: The Victor’s Crown (2 Tim. 4:7-8)	401
	Sermon Twenty-Nine: Hands Across the Sea (2 Tim. 4:8-13)	417
	Sermon Thirty: Who Is on the Lord’s Side? (2 Tim. 4:14-22)	433
	Prayers Before and After the Sermon	449
	Index of Scripture References	453
	Index of Subjects	459