2 Timothy

It is generally believed that Paul wrote this 2nd letter to Timothy fairly close to the time of his second trail before Caesar, and that this was probably the last epistle that he wrote before his execution in Rome.  He encourages Timothy to keep the faith and work of the gospel until the end, and to guard against those who would come in to divide or hurt the church.  Chapter 3 provides a vivid picture of the conditions that will exist on the earth in the last days, which we can see as a very good description of the way things are in our own times.

Paul tells him that he is nearing the end of his life, and that he had been faithful in his service to Christ, so as to finish his race well.  This should be the goal of every disciple of Jesus, to serve Him well until we each stand before Him at the Judgement Seat of Christ.  He had been abandoned by almost everyone, as Luke was the only one with him in Rome, and he asked Timothy to bring his coat and books before winter set in.