2 Timothy 4:1-13

1 I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge living and dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,

2 proclaim the word; be urgent in season [and] out of season, convict, rebuke, encourage, with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;

4 and they will turn away their ear from the truth, and will have turned aside to fables.

5 But *thou*, be sober in all things, bear evils, do [the] work of an evangelist, fill up the full measure of thy ministry.

6 For *I* am already being poured out, and the time of my release is come.

7 I have combated the good combat, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me in that day; but not only to me, but also to all who love his appearing.

9 Use diligence to come to me quickly;

10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved the present age, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring [him] with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry.

12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 The cloak which I left behind [me] in Troas at Carpus's, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.

2 Timothy 4:1-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 4

In this chapter the apostle charges Timothy to perform his office as an evangelist with great diligence, constancy, and faithfulness, with reasons for it; gives some hints of several particular persons mentioned, which made him very desirous that Timothy would come quickly to him; relates how things were with him when he made his first defence at Rome; and concludes the epistle with salutations, and his usual blessing. The charge is made in the most solemn manner in the sight of God; and of Christ, as Judge of quick and dead; and directs to the several parts of the ministerial work, and the manner in which they should be performed, 2Ti 4:1,2. The reason of which charge is, because the time was hastening on that sound doctrine would not be endured, and men would depart from the truth to fables and false teachers, 2Ti 4:3,4. Wherefore the apostle repeats his charge and exhortation to Timothy, though in other words, to be vigilant, patient, courageous, and faithful in the discharge of his office, 2Ti 4:5 adding a fresh reason moving to it, taken from the apostle's death being at hand; which is expressed by a sacrifice, and by a departure out of the world, 2Ti 4:6 which leads him to give an account of his past conduct in fighting the good fight, finishing his course, and keeping the faith, 2Ti 4:7 and of his firm belief of eternal glory and happiness, 2Ti 4:8 and next he desires Timothy to use all diligence to come quickly to him, 2Ti 4:9 his reasons for which were, because he had scarce anybody with him: one had forsook him through love of the world; another was gone to Thessalonica; a third to Galatia, and a fourth to Dalmatia; only Luke the evangelist was with him; and as for Tychicus, he had sent him to Ephesus: he therefore desires he would bring Mark with him, and his cloak, books, and parchments he had left at Troas, 2Ti 4:10-13 and then takes notice of persons that had used him ill, particularly Alexander the coppersmith; he wishes justice might be done him; and advises Timothy to beware of him, because of his opposition to the doctrines of the Gospel, 2Ti 4:14,15 and also of others that neglected him, who forsook him when he defended himself: however, he prays that this might not be charged upon them; and observes the goodness of God in standing by him and delivering him; and expresses his faith and confidence that he should be delivered and preserved safe to eternal glory, 2Ti 4:16-18 and next follow the apostle's salutations of some persons at Ephesus, and an account of two others, one at Corinth, and another at Miletum; and a repetition of his request to Timothy, to come quickly to him, and before winter; and then some salutations of persons at Rome, sent by Timothy; and the whole is concluded with the apostle's usual benediction, 2Ti 4:19-22.

Footnotes

• [a]. That is 'I testify or charge thee before God, and by the appearing.' 'By' may be taken as 'according to,' that is, the judgment is according to the power and glory of his appearing and his kingdom. Some authorities read 'at.'
• [b]. Or 'reprove.' See 1Tim. 5.20.
• [c]. Or 'will be turned aside,' or 'have turned themselves aside.' Compare 1Tim. 1.6; 5.15. Here their being already turned aside leads them to turn away their ear from the truth.
• [d]. This implies, not watching actively, nor being awake, but that sober clearness of mind resulting from exemption from false influences -- not muddled with the influence of what intoxicates. So we think of one when we say, He has a sober judgment.
• [e]. This is as Phil. 2.17.
• [f]. Diakonia: see Note, 1Cor. 4.1.