2 Timothy 4
CHAPTER 4
I instruct you in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom, 2 to preach the word. Preach it urgently, whether the occasion seems appropriate or not. Reprove, rebuke, exhort, as you patiently teach. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to fables. 5 But you, be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
Paul speaks of his impending death
6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure comes. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 8 From this time forward 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 alone, but also to all those that have loved his appearing.
9 Make an effort to come to me soon. 10 For Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you; for his service is profitable to me. 12 But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; may the Lord render to him according to his works. 15 You also need to be on guard about him, for he greatly withstood our words. 16 At my first defence no man stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed; and so all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will save me to his heavenly kingdom; to him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila and the house of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
21 Try by all means to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia, and all the brothers. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Commentary
4:1 When Christ returns, the dead will be raised and judged, and then God’s Kingdom fully established on earth.
4:3 This prophesied corruption of pure Biblical teaching has come true in the many confused and incorrect versions of Christianity which there are. People choose to accept whoever teaches what they naturally want to here- rather than realizing that the Bible is the inspired word of God (3:16), and only believing what they read there. We must be teachable in front of God’s word, even if it says things we naturally would prefer were not true. We cannot exalt our ideas above those of God.
4:8 The reward of the faithful will be given when Christ returns- at “that day” (the “day” of v. 1); and all the true believers will receive their reward at that same time (Heb. 11:39,40). It is not true that when we die, we go to Heaven and receive our reward. We are unconscious until Christ returns; all the faithful will then be resurrected, judged, and given eternal life together in His Kingdom on earth (Mt. 25:34).
4:16 All forsook me- As all in Asia turned away from Paul (1:15). Paul died a lonely man, unpopular even with his brethren; but therefore he felt the very real presence of Jesus with him (v. 17).
