Second Timothy 1:1-7

Second Timothy 1:1-7 according to the New International Version of the Bible:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift  of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.

Commentary

So Paul, now facing execution in the very near future, begins his last known letter to Timothy, his young protege. His words are not the words of a condemned man, but instead, they are full of hope. He talks of Christ's promise of life. He uses words like grace, mercy and peace - even in the face of immanent death. He also expresses his thanks to God. He knows he's done nothing wrong. His conscience is clear. The simple fact of the matter is that he is in prison for serving God; for doing what he is compelled to do.

But he also remembers Timothy in his prayers. He remembers their last parting in Macedonia and how Timothy wept. Paul would really like to see him now. Few things would have made him happier.

It was the sincerity of Timothy's childlike faith that had impressed Paul; a faith handed down to him by his mother and grandmother. It was not bogged down with pretense or a desire for self aggrandizement. It was simple, pure and strong. Timothy trusted God and Paul longed to fellowship with him because of that.

Paul also wanted for Timothy the best things that such faith and trust in God had to offer. So he urged Timothy to press on, developing his spiritual gift that Paul had passed on to him. He told Timothy to fan into flame this God given gift. He was to use it for God's glory and the good of God's church. More to the point, he was not to be timid about it, but allow the Holy Spirit to use it with power and love and in self discipline. After all, what good is a gift if it's hidden or unused because of fear?

Questions

1) So if you were in prison, facing your death, how would your letter to a friend sound? Would it begin like this one?
2) Why does Paul talk about having a clear conscience?
3) What makes for the kind of sincere faith that Paul says Timothy has? (James 2:18-26)    
4) Paul opens the letter on a note of self confidence. There is no doubt in his mind that God has called him to serve as an apostle? What has God called you to do? How can we be as confident as Paul was?
5) Who does Paul credit for Timothy's sincere faith?
6) Paul urged Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God passed on to him by Paul. What does he mean by this? What does it mean for us?
7) What are these gifts for?
8) Timothy was apparently a bit reluctant to make use of his gift - so much so that Paul thought he was being timid in its use. What is it that prevents us from making use of our gifts?