2 Timothy 4

1I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

6As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Paul’s Final Words

9Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.#4:13 Greek especially the parchments.

14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.

16The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.#4:17 Greek from the mouth of a lion. 18Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Paul’s Final Greetings

19Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.

21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.#4:21 Greek brothers.

22May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.

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2 Timothy 4

Preach the Word

1 # ch. 2:14; 1 Tim. 5:21; 6:13 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, #See Acts 10:42who is to judge the living and the dead, and by #ver. 8; See 2 Thess. 2:8his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; #1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13; 2:15reprove, rebuke, and #1 Tim. 4:13exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3#ch. 3:1For the time is coming when people will not endure #See 1 Tim. 1:10sound#4:3 Or healthy teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and #See 1 Tim. 6:20will turn away from listening to the truth and #See 1 Tim. 1:4, 6wander off into myths. 5But as for you, #1 Pet. 1:13always be sober-minded, #ch. 1:8; 2:3, 9endure suffering, do the work of #Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11an evangelist, #Col. 4:17fulfill your ministry.

6For #Phil. 2:17I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my #Phil. 1:23; [2 Pet. 1:14]departure has come. 7#See 1 Tim. 6:12I have fought the good fight, #Acts 20:24I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Henceforth there is #Col. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:4laid up for me #See James 1:12the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, #Ps. 7:11the righteous judge, will award to me on #ch. 1:12that day, and not only to me but also to all #[Rev. 22:20]who have loved his appearing.

Personal Instructions

9 # ch. 1:4 Do your best to come to me soon. 10For #Col. 4:14; Philem. 24Demas, #See 1 John 2:15in love with #1 Tim. 6:17; Titus 2:12this present world, #[ch. 1:15] has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,#4:10 Some manuscripts Gaul #[Titus 3:12]Titus to Dalmatia. 11#[See ver. 10 above] Luke alone is with me. Get #See Acts 12:12Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12#Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; Titus 3:12Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14#See 1 Tim. 1:20Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; #Ps. 62:12; Prov. 24:12; [Neh. 6:14; 13:29; Ps. 28:4; Rev. 18:6]the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. #[Acts 7:60]May it not be charged against them! 17But #Acts 23:11; 27:23; [Matt. 10:19] the Lord stood by me and #See 1 Tim. 1:12strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and #See Acts 9:15all the Gentiles might hear it. So #ch. 3:11I was rescued #Ps. 22:21; [1 Sam. 17:37]from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. #See Rom. 11:36To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

19Greet #See Acts 18:2Prisca and Aquila, and #ch. 1:16the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left #Acts 20:4; 21:29Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21#ver. 9Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.#4:21 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

22The Lord be #Gal. 6:18; Philem. 25with your spirit. #See Col. 4:18Grace be with you.#4:22 The Greek for you is plural

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