It’s doubtful that we could find a more nostalgic, emotional letter written by the Apostle Paul. Facing death alone in a dungeon, surrounded by memories, and exposed to the elements, this grand old man wrote by candlelight a letter to his dear friend, Timothy. Paul had no assurance it would ever reach him but, nevertheless, he wrote it. And we are so grateful he did! For obvious reasons it is a letter of sharp contrasts—in some places it contains strong and passionate warnings laced with insightful wisdom and firm resolve, yet in other places it contains wearisome feelings, quiet and honest reflections, and even a few unguarded admissions of decisions made in years gone by. Here is a letter for the ages written by a rugged and tired warrior, an essential piece of biblical literature we need in order to construct an accurate and complete mental portrait of Paul and a spiritual understanding of our times.