When was 2 Timothy written?

Answer

Second Timothy is the final letter the apostle Paul wrote before his death (see 2 Timothy 4:6–8). Central to Paul’s life and legacy is the reality that God saved him by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1–9; Romans 1:16–17). In his letters, Paul urged his disciple Timothy to continue faithfully proclaiming the good news of salvation in Jesus, even amid persecution. He wrote 2 Timothy around AD 66 or 67, as Emperor Nero’s attacks on Christians intensified.

Affirming Paul’s authorship is essential for determining when he wrote the letter. To this end, the first verse reads, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:1). Paul mentions other personal details later in the letter, starting with his calling (2 Timothy 1:11–12). He also refers to his lifestyle (2 Timothy 3:10–11), his trials (2 Timothy 4:16–17), his imminent death (2 Timothy 4:6–8), and his anticipation of heaven (2 Timothy 4:18).

Paul wrote 2 Timothy near the end of his life. Unlike his earlier house arrest in Rome, when he wrote letters such as Ephesians and Philippians, Paul’s second imprisonment was far more severe. In 2 Timothy 4:13, he asks Timothy to bring him a cloak, suggesting the harsh conditions he faced. He wrote, “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.”

He also recalls his loneliness, writing, “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me” (2 Timothy 4:16). This incident highlights the isolation he experienced. It’s also a sharp contrast to his first imprisonment when many people visited him (Acts 28:30–31). Paul’s sense of abandonment adds weight to his final words: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near” (2 Timothy 4:6).

This imprisonment occurred during the final years of Nero’s reign, between AD 64 and 68, which was a period of escalating persecution of Christians. After the great fire of Rome in AD 64, Nero blamed followers of Jesus for the disaster, even though he was responsible. As persecution increased, Paul became one of its victims. According to fourth-century church historian Eusebius of Caesarea, Paul was beheaded in Rome near the end of Nero’s reign around AD 67.

The tone and content of 2 Timothy reflect that Paul knew his death was near. He writes, “The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6–7). Yet, even in this final letter, Paul’s commitment to the gospel remained unshaken. He instructed Timothy to “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). In this way, Paul passed the torch of gospel proclamation to the next generation. Together, these historical and personal details affirm that he wrote 2 Timothy around AD 66—67.