2 Timothy4
New King James Version
1I charge 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 ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but 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 be turned aside to fables.
5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out as 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.
8Finally, there is laid 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 who have loved His appearing.
9Be diligent to come to me quickly;
10for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
12And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
14Alexander 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. May it not be charged against them.
17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus 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.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
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