2 Timothy — Chapter 4
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1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
4So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
9Make every effort to come to me quickly,
10because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.
12Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
15You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.
16At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
18And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, as well as the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.
21Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
1I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
5But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.
6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
8henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
9Give diligence to come shortly unto me:
10for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering.
12But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.
13The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works:
15of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.
16At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account.
17But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might me fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
21Give diligence to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
1I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.
3For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.
4And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.
5You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.
7I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!
8Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.
9Make every effort to come to me soon.
10For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you because he is a great help to me in ministry.
12Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.
15You be on guard against him too, because he vehemently opposed our words.
16At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me—may they not be held accountable for it.
17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth!
18The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.
19Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus.
21Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.
5But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
8From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
9Be diligent to come to me soon,
10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
12But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.
14Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
15of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
16At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
17But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Summary
Paul solemnly charges Timothy, before God and Christ the coming judge, to preach the word faithfully and correct, rebuke, and encourage with patience, since a time is coming when people will reject sound teaching for teachers who tell them what they want to hear (vv. 1-5). Sensing his death is near, Paul declares that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, with a crown of righteousness awaiting him and all who love Christ's return (vv. 6-8). He asks Timothy to come quickly, noting that Demas deserted him for love of the world while others scattered, leaving only Luke with him, and he asks for Mark and for his cloak, books, and parchments left at Troas (vv. 9-13). He warns of harm done by Alexander the metalworker, and recalls that though no one stood with him at his first defense, the Lord stood by him, strengthened him, and rescued him, and will preserve him for His heavenly kingdom (vv. 14-18). The letter closes with personal greetings and a final blessing (vv. 19-22).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Thessalonica (v.10): City in Macedonia (northern Greece); Paul planted a church there.
- Galatia (v.10): Region in central Asia Minor; Paul wrote to churches there.
- Ephesus (v.12): Major city in Asia Minor (modern Turkey); location of a key early church.
- Corinth (v.20): Greek port city known for commerce and immorality; Paul planted a church there.
Places on this map
- ThessalonicaThessaloniki, GreeceThe capital of Macedonia, with a natural harbour on the Aegean and the Via Egnatia running through it. A letter left here traveled well, which is part of why Paul could say the word had sounded out from them in every place. Wikipedia
- Galatiacentral TurkeyThe high inland plateau of Asia Minor, named for Gallic settlers and organized by Rome as a province stretching south to Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Whether Paul wrote to the northern tribes or the southern cities he planted is a long-running question. Wikipedia
- Ephesusnear Selcuk, TurkeyThe largest port of Roman Asia, at the mouth of the Cayster on the west coast of Asia Minor, and home to the temple of Artemis. Its harbour silted up and the ruins now sit several miles inland, which is why a great seaport has no sea. Wikipedia
- CorinthAncient Corinth, GreeceOn the four-mile isthmus joining the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, with a harbour on each side. Cargo was hauled overland between them to avoid the dangerous voyage round the cape, so the city was rich, transient and famously loose. Wikipedia
- Macedonianorthern GreeceThe Roman province north of Greece proper, crossed by the Via Egnatia. Crossing into it from Troas took the gospel from Asia into Europe. Wikipedia
- Achaiasouthern GreeceThe Roman province covering southern Greece, governed from Corinth. Long past political power and still the cultural reference point of the eastern empire. Wikipedia
- Asia MinorTurkeyThe peninsula between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, a high dry plateau ringed by mountains with the Greek cities on its western coast. Roman Asia, the province Paul worked from Ephesus, was only its western end. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the final charge, Paul's farewell, the crown of righteousness, and the personal details of Paul's last days.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of 2 Timothy -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Preach the Word, Ready or Not (v.2) — Paul charges Timothy to proclaim truth whether the moment is convenient or not. Are you willing to speak what's true even when the timing or audience makes it uncomfortable?
- Chasing Teachers Who Say What We Want (vv.3-4) — Paul predicts a time when people will collect teachers who tell them what they want to hear instead of what's true. Are you drawn to voices that challenge you, or ones that simply confirm what you already believe?
- A Life Summed Up Well (v.7) — Facing execution, Paul can say he fought well, finished the race, and kept the faith intact. If your life were summarized in a sentence like that today, what would it actually say?
- Loving This World More Than the Mission (v.10) — Paul notes with sadness that Demas abandoned him because he loved the present world. What pulls at you enough that it could eventually cost you your commitment to what matters most?
- Staying Hungry to Learn (v.13) — Even near death, Paul asks for his books and writings, still wanting to read and grow. Are you still actively learning and growing in your faith, or has your pursuit gone stagnant?
- Standing Alone but Not Truly Alone (v.17) — When everyone else deserted Paul at his trial, he says the Lord stood by him and gave him strength. Where have you felt abandoned by people, and did you recognize God's presence with you there?