The Second Epistle to Timothy Chapter 4

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The Second Epistle to Timothy Chapter 4

Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2TI.4.NIV

The Final Judge

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:(We must remember that God and the Lord are the judge in our ministry.)

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. (We must share the God's Word which teaches us what to believe and how to live regardless of the given situations.)

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (Sinful human being tends to heresy and seek their own satisfaction because of their lust, desire, and pride.)

4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (They take easy way (myths) rather than the hard truth.)

5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (But we must risk the difficulties and challenges for the truthful ministry. There is no shortcut in serving God and His Kingdom.)

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. (Paul reached the last stage in his life in Roman jail.)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (Paul did his best for the Lord and the Kingdom of God.)

8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (The final hope for those who are facing the last stage of their lives and ministries is the Lord who finalizes His servants' services. Their ministry opportunities, being used by the Lord, must be the most important privilege.)

Personal Remarks

9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. (Paul wanted to see Timothy before his death while some had left him.)

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. (Luke, who had accompanied Paul in his journey, was there. Paul also wanted Mark's help in the prison.)

12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. (Tychicus was the messenger.)

13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. (Paul asked Timothy to bring his personal stuff.)

14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. (Paul remembers who did harm to him. They will be judged by the Lord.)

15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. (There are some people whom should be refused because of their hostility to the Gospel. There are many kinds of people, good or bad, Paul encountered in his ministry.)

16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. (We don't have to be hostile to those who were hostile to us.)

17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. (The only Lord is the final judge we must trust for our life and ministry.)

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Praise or condemnation of other people is meaningless, because Jesus Christ is our Lord whom we serve.)

Final Greetings

19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.

21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters. (Paul remembers those dear coworkers.)

22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all. (The Lord is the ultimate source of our comfort and joy. God has been and will be with us all the time (Rev. 4:8, Ps. 139:1-17). We make sure to be with Him.)