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
II Timothy 4
4
Preach the Word
1I #1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 4:1charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, #Acts 10:42who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. #Titus 2:15Convince, #1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13; 2:15rebuke, #1 Tim. 4:13exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3#2 Tim. 3:1For the time will come when they will not endure #1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 1:13sound doctrine, #Is. 30:9–11; Jer. 5:30, 31; 2 Tim. 3:6but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and #1 Tim. 1:4be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, #2 Tim. 1:8endure afflictions, do the work of #Acts 21:8an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul’s Valedictory
6For #Phil. 2:17I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of #(Phil. 1:23); 2 Pet. 1:14my departure is at hand. 7#1 Cor. 9:24–27; Phil. 3:13, 14I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Finally, there is laid up for me #(1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 2:5); James 1:12the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous #John 5:22Judge, will give to me #2 Tim. 1:12on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The Abandoned Apostle
9Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10for #Col. 4:14; Philem. 24Demas has forsaken me, #1 John 2:15having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get #Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37–39; Col. 4:10Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12And #Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21, 22; Col. 4:7; Titus 3:12Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
14#Acts 19:33; 1 Tim. 1:20Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.
16At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. #Acts 7:60; (1 Cor. 13:5)May it not be charged against them.
The Lord Is Faithful
17#Deut. 31:6; Acts 23:11But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, #Acts 9:15; Phil. 1:12so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered #1 Sam. 17:37; Ps. 22:21out of the mouth of the lion. 18#Ps. 121:7; (2 Pet. 2:9)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. #Rom. 11:36; Gal. 1:5; Heb. 13:21; 2 Pet. 3:18To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Come Before Winter
19Greet #Acts 18:2; Rom. 16:3Prisca and Aquila, and the household of #2 Tim. 1:16Onesiphorus. 20#Acts 19:22; Rom. 16:23Erastus stayed in Corinth, but #Acts 20:4; 21:29Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
21Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
Farewell
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.