2 Timothy 4
4
Solemn Charge.#The gravity of the obligation incumbent on Timothy to preach the word can be gauged from the solemn adjuration: in the presence of God, and of Christ coming as universal judge, and by his appearance and his kingly power (2 Tm 4:1). Patience, courage, constancy, and endurance are required despite the opposition, hostility, indifference, and defection of many to whom the truth has been preached (2 Tm 4:2–5). 1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power:#1 Tm 5:21; 6:14 / Acts 10:42; Rom 14:9–10; 1 Pt 4:5. 2proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.#Acts 20:20, 31; 1 Tm 5:20. 3For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity,#Insatiable curiosity: literally, “with itching ears.” will accumulate teachers#1 Tm 4:1. 4and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.#1 Tm 1:4; 4:7; Ti 1:14. 5But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.
Reward for Fidelity. 6#The apostle recognizes his death through martyrdom to be imminent. He regards it as an act of worship in which his blood will be poured out in sacrifice; cf. Ex 29:38–40; Phil 2:17.#Phil 2:17.For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7#At the close of his life Paul could testify to the accomplishment of what Christ himself foretold concerning him at the time of his conversion, “I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16).I have competed well; I have finished the race;#1 Tm 1:18; 6:12; Jude 3 / Acts 20:24; 1 Cor 9:24; Heb 12:1. I have kept the faith. 8#When the world is judged at the parousia, all who have eagerly looked for the Lord’s appearing and have sought to live according to his teachings will be rewarded. The crown is a reference to the laurel wreath placed on the heads of victorious athletes and conquerors in war; cf. 2 Tm 2:5; 1 Cor 9:25.From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day,#2:5; Wis 5:16; 1 Cor 9:25; Phil 3:14; Jas 1:12; 1 Pt 5:4; Rev 2:10. and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
IV. PERSONAL REQUESTS AND FINAL GREETINGS
Paul’s Loneliness. 9#Demas either abandoned the work of the ministry for worldly affairs or, perhaps, gave up the faith itself (2 Tm 4:10). Luke (2 Tm 4:11) may have accompanied Paul on parts of his second and third missionary journeys (Acts 16:10–12; 20:5–7). Notice the presence of the first personal pronoun “we” in these Acts passages, suggesting to some that Luke (or at least some traveling companion of Paul’s) was the author of Acts. Mark, once rejected by Paul (Acts 13:13; 15:39), is now to render him a great service (2 Tm 4:11); cf. Col 4:10; Phlm 24. For Tychicus, see Eph 6:21; cf. also Acts 20:4; Col 4:7.Try to join me soon, 10for Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia,#Galatia: some manuscripts read “Gaul” or “Gallia.” and Titus to Dalmatia.#Col 4:14; Phlm 24 / 2 Cor 2:13; 7:6–7; 8:23; Gal 2:3; Ti 1:4. 11Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry.#Col 4:14; Phlm 24 / Col 4:10; Phlm 24. 12I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.#Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7. 13When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.#Acts 16:8; 20:6.
14Alexander#Alexander: an opponent of Paul’s preaching (2 Tm 4:14–15), perhaps the one who is mentioned in 1 Tm 1:20. Despite Paul’s abandonment by his friends in the province of Asia (cf. 2 Tm 1:15–16), the divine assistance brought this first trial to a successful issue, even to the point of making the gospel message known to those who participated in or witnessed the trial (2 Tm 4:16–17). the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.#1 Tm 1:20 / 2 Sm 3:39; Ps 28:4; 62:12; Prv 24:12; Rom 2:6. 15You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching.
16At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them!#1:15. 17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.#Acts 23:11; 27:23; Phil 4:13 / 1 Mc 2:60; Ps 22:22; Dn 6:23. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.#2 Cor 1:10 / Rom 16:27.
Final Greeting. 19Greet Prisca and Aquila#Prisca and Aquila: they assisted Paul in his ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:2–3) and Ephesus (Acts 18:19, 26; 1 Cor 16:19). They risked death to save his life, and all the Gentile communities are indebted to them (Rom 16:3–5). and the family of Onesiphorus.#Acts 18:2; Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19 / 2 Tm 1:16. 20Erastus#Erastus: he was the treasurer of the city of Corinth (Rom 16:24); cf. also Acts 19:22. Trophimus: from the province of Asia, he accompanied Paul from Greece to Troas (Acts 20:4–5). remained in Corinth, while I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.#Acts 19:22; Rom 16:24 / Acts 20:4; 21:29. 21Try to get here before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus,#Linus: Western tradition sometimes identified this Linus with the supposed successor of Peter as bishop of Rome, and Claudia as the mother of Linus (Apostolic Constitutions, fourth century). Claudia, and all the brothers send greetings.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you.#Gal 6:18; Phil 4:23; Col 4:18; 1 Tm 6:21; Ti 3:15.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
2 Timothy 4
4
1When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you 2to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. 3The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. 4They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories. 5But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard, telling the good news and to do your job well.
6Now the time has come for me to die. My life is like a drink offering#4.6 drink offering: Water or wine was sometimes poured out as an offering when an animal sacrifice was made. being poured out on the altar. 7I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful. 8So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord. He judges fairly, and on the day of judgment he will give a crown to me and to everyone else who wants him to appear with power.
Personal Instructions
9Come to see me as soon as you can. 10#Col 4.14; Phm 24; 2 Co 8.23; Ga 2.3; Titus 1.4. Demas loves the things of this world so much that he left me and went to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11#Col 4.14; Phm 24; Ac 12.12,25; 13.13; 15.37-39; Col 4.10; Phm 24. Only Luke has stayed with me.
Mark can be very helpful to me, so please find him and bring him with you. 12#Ac 20.4; Eph 6.21,22; Col 4.7,8. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 #
Ac 20.6. When you come, bring the coat I left at Troas with Carpus. Don't forget to bring the scrolls, especially the ones made of leather.#4.13 the ones made of leather: A scroll was a kind of rolled up book, and it could be made out of paper (called “papyrus”) or leather (that is, animal skin) or even copper.
14 #
1 Ti 1.20;
Ps 62.12; Ro 2.6. Alexander, the metalworker, has hurt me in many ways. But the Lord will pay him back for what he has done. 15Alexander opposes what we preach, so you had better watch out for him.
16When I was first put on trial, no one helped me. In fact, everyone deserted me. I hope it won't be held against them. 17But the Lord stood beside me. He gave me the strength to tell his full message, so that all Gentiles would hear it. And I was kept safe from hungry lions. 18#4 Macc 18.24. The Lord will always keep me from being harmed by evil, and he will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. Praise him forever and ever! Amen.
Final Greetings
19 #
Ac 18.2;
2 Ti 1.16,17. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and to the family of Onesiphorus.
20 #
Ac 19.22; Ro 16.23;
Ac 20.4; 21.29. Erastus stayed at Corinth.
Trophimus was sick when I left him at Miletus.
21Do your best to come before winter.
Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia send you their greetings, and so do the rest of the Lord's followers.
22I pray that the Lord will bless your life and will be kind to you.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
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