2 Timothy 4
1I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. 5But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. 6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: 8henceforth 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 only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing. 9Give diligence to come shortly unto me: 10for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering. 12But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. 13The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: 15of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words. 16At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account. 17But 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. 18The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick. 21Give diligence to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
What is 2 Timothy 4 about?
As the letter reaches its close, Paul solemnly charges Timothy before God and the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the word, to be instant in season and out of season, and to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, for the time will come when men will not endure sound teaching but heap up teachers to suit their itching ears. He urges Timothy to watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and make full proof of his ministry. Then the aged apostle looks to his own end: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith," awaiting the crown of righteousness the Lord will give at His appearing. Deserted by Demas and left with only Luke, opposed by Alexander yet strengthened by the Lord who stood with him and delivered him from the mouth of the lion, Paul finishes his race trusting that his God will preserve him unto His heavenly kingdom. So the charge is sealed, guard the gospel, endure suffering, and preach the word to the end, as one faithful witness passes the trust to the next in the long line of Christ's church.
Matthew Henry on 2 Timothy 4