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.
Currently Selected:
2 Timothy 4: NABRE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
2 Timothy 4
4
Fulfill Your Ministry
1I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge # Jn 5:22-30; Rm 5:18; 1Pt 4:5 the living and the dead, # Jn 5:25; Rm 14:9; 1Pt 4:5; Rv 18:8; 19:11 and because of His appearing and His kingdom: # Mk 1:15; Ac 20:25 2Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, # Rm 15:4 but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. # Or to hear what they want to hear ; lit themselves, itching in the hearing 4They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. # 1Tm 1:4; 4:7; Ti 1:14; 2Pt 1:16 5But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, # Ac 21:8; Eph 4:11 fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, # Gn 35:14; Php 2:17 and the time for my departure is close. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8There is reserved for me in the future the crown # Jn 15:17; Rv 12:1 of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, # Lk 18:2,6; Jn 5:22-30; Ac 10:42; Heb 12:23 will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing. # Ti 2:13; 1Jn 2:28
Final Instructions
9Make every effort to come to me soon, # Ti 3:12 10for Demas # Col 4:14; Phm 24 has deserted me, # 2Tm 1:15 because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. # Ac 17:1 Crescens has gone to Galatia, # Gl 1:2 Titus # Ti 1:4 to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke # Col 4:14; Phm 24 is with me. Bring Mark # Ac 15:37-39 with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. 12I have sent Tychicus # Ac 20:4; Ti 3:12 to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas # Ac 16:8 with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. 14Alexander # 1Tm 1:20 the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. 15Watch out # 2Tm 1:14; 2Pt 3:17 for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.
16At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. # 2Tm 1:15 May it not be counted against them. 17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. # Mk 1:15; Ac 20:25 To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Benediction
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, # Ac 18:2 and the household of Onesiphorus. # 2Tm 1:16 20Erastus # Ac 19:22; Rm 16:23 has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus # Ac 20:4; 21:29 sick at Miletus. # Ac 20:15,17 21Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.