The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy

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- Chapter 4 -

I testify before God, and before Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead through his return and his kingdom:

that you should preach the word urgently, in season and out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke, with all patience and doctrine.

For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, according to their own desires, they will gather to themselves teachers, with itching ears,(a)

and certainly, they will turn their hearing away from the truth, and they will be turned toward fables.

But as for you, truly, be vigilant, laboring in all things. Do the work of an Evangelist, fulfilling your ministry. Show self-restraint.(b)

For I am already being worn away, and the time of my dissolution presses close.

I have fought the good fight. I have completed the course. I have preserved the faith.

As for the remainder, a crown of justice has been reserved for me, one which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to those who look forward to his return. Hurry to return to me soon.

Personal Concerns

For Demas has abandoned me, out of love for this age, and he has departed for Thessalonica.

Crescens has gone to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia.

Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for he is useful to me in the ministry.

But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

When you return, bring with you the supplies that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, but especially the parchments.(c)

Alexander the coppersmith has shown me much evil; the Lord will repay him according to his works.

And you should also avoid him; for he has strongly resisted our words.

The Lord Remains Faithful

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them!

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching would be accomplished, and so that all the Gentiles would hear. And I was freed from the mouth of the lion.

The Lord has freed me from every evil work, and he will accomplish salvation by his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

(Ephesians 6:21–24; Philippians 4:21–23)

Greet Prisca, and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.

Hurry to arrive before winter. Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers greet you.

May the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. May grace be with you. Amen.

Footnotes

(a)4:3 The term ‘prurientes’ can also refer to sexual desire (compare to the English expression ‘the seven year itch’.) These teachers will have a desire to please their listeners, and they will distort and contradict the teaching of sound doctrine on sexual ethics.(Conte)

(b)4:5 An evangelist:a diligent preacher of the gospel.(Challoner)

(c)4:13 The word ‘penulam’ does not mean cloak, rather it refers to various kinds of supplies, as the remainder of the verse makes clear (examples of the supplies include some books and parchments).(Conte)

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:

preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.

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,

and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.

But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, 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.

Personal Concerns

Be diligent to come to me soon,

for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

Beware of him, for he greatly opposed our words.

The Lord Remains Faithful

At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.

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. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

(Ephesians 6:21–24; Philippians 4:21–23)

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.

Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.