2 Timothy4
New International Version
1In 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, I give you this charge:
2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8Now there is in store 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 also to all who have longed for his appearing.
9Do your best to come to me quickly,
10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has 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 helpful to me in my ministry.
12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Timothy 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle solemnly charges Timothy to be diligent, though many will not bear sound doctrine. (1–5). Enforces the charge from his own martyrdom, then at hand. (6–8). Desires him to come speedily. (9–13). He cautions, and complains of such as had deserted him; and expresses his faith as to his own preservation to the heavenly kingdom. (14–18). Friendly greetings and his usual blessing. (19–22).
vv1-5
People will turn away from the truth, they will grow weary of the plain gospel of Christ, they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure that preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose. Those who love souls must be ever watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pure gospel.
vv6-8
The blood of the martyrs, though not a sacrifice of atonement, yet was a sacrifice of acknowledgment to the grace of God and his truth. Death to a good man, is his release from the imprisonment of this world, and his departure to the enjoyments of another world. As a Christian, and a minister, Paul had kept the faith, kept the doctrines of the gospel. What comfort will it afford, to be able to speak in this manner toward the end of our days! The crown of believers is a crown of righteousness, purchased by the righteousness of Christ. Believers have it not at present, yet it is sure, for it is laid up for them. The believer, amidst poverty, pain, sickness, and the agonies of death, may rejoice; but if the duties of a man's place and station are neglected, his evidence of interest in Christ will be darkened, and uncertainty and distress may be expected to cloud and harass his last hours.
vv9-13
The love of this world, is often the cause of turning back from the truths and ways of Jesus Christ. Paul was guided by Divine inspiration, yet he would have his books. As long as we live, we must still learn. The apostles did not neglect human means, in seeking the necessaries of life, or their own instruction. Let us thank the Divine goodness in having given us so many writings of wise and pious men in all ages; and let us seek that by reading them our profiting may appear to all.
Key Words
ἐγώ (egṓ): I, me
διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartýromai): to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively
ἐνώπιον (enṓpion): in the face of (literally or figuratively)
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
ὁ (ho): the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
μέλλω (méllō): to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation)
κρίνω (krínō): by implication, to try, condemn, punish
Cross References
2 Timothy 4Paul's charge to Timothy to fight the good fight, which Paul has now completed.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts Demas's past faithfulness alongside Luke with his subsequent abandonment of Paul.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Provides the essential context for why Paul salutes the household of Onesiphorus.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Directly links the turning away to 'fables' with Paul's warnings in his first epistle.
Supported by JFB
Paul's earlier expressed determination to finish his course with joy is now accomplished.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the abandonment at Paul's defense with the previous desertion in Asia.
Supported by Matthew Henry