Introduction

Why does the apostle write this, the second, epistle to Timothy? In the first epistle he said: “I hope to come to you soon” (1 Tim 3:14). But this did not happen, because he was detained by Nero. Therefore, instead of his arrival, he encourages him by letter, because Timothy grieved both from the absence of the apostle and from the weight of episcopal authority. For even great men are troubled in governing the ship of the Church, being overwhelmed on all sides by great waves, especially at that time when there are wars everywhere. Moreover, the apostle calls him to himself, for he was already near death.