2nd Timothy Chapter 4
From The Open Bible Project
4:1 I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
- (1) The principal and chief of all admonitions, being therefore proposed with a most earnest charge, is this: that the word of God is explained and set forth with a certain holy urgent exhorting, as necessity requires: but in such a way that a good and true ground of the doctrine is laid, and the vehemency is tempered with all holy meekness.
4:2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
4:3 For 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;
- (2) Faithful pastors in times past took all occasions they could, because men were very prompt and ready to return to their fables.
4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
- (a) To false and unprofitable doctrines which the world is now so bewitched with, that it would rather have the open light of the truth completely put out, than it would come out of darkness.
4:5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
- (3) The wickedness and falling away of the world ought to cause faithful ministers to be so much the more careful.
- (b) Prove and show by good and substantial proof, that you are the true minister of God.
4:6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
- (4) He foretells his death to be at hand, and sets before them an excellent example, both of invincible constancy, and sure hope.
- (c) To be offered for a drink offering: and he alludes to the pouring out of blood or wine which was used in sacrifices.
4:7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
4:8 From 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.
4:9 Be diligent to come to me soon,
- (5) The last part of the epistle, setting forth grievous complaints against certain ones, and examples of singular godliness in every place, and of a mind never wearied.
4:10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
- (d) Contented himself with this world.
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
4:12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
4:13 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works,
4:15 of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
4:16 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
4:17 But 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.
- (e) Of Nero.
4:18 And 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.
- (f) Preserve me pure from committing anything unworthy of my apostleship.
- (g) To make me partaker of his kingdom.
4:19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
4:20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
4:21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
