2 Timothy 4

1-8 9-22

1-8

1

Paul starts off this last section strong invoking not only God the Father but the Son as well, Christ Jesus, who as he says When he comes again in glory to establish his kingdom he will judge not only the living that are left but all of the dead as well. This reminds me vividly of Revelation 20:11–13 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.” The judgement mentioned in this verse is not just referring to the judgement of the damned though. While all that have been covered by Christ’s blood are declared justified and righteous but there will be an accountability for all of the saved saints, especially the ministers charged with teaching and preaching God’s word, of our service to Christ in our lives. Paul says I charge you, in the Greek this has the idea of issuing a forceful order or directive.

2

And what Paul is charging Timothy, and to and extent us, is to preach the word of God, but more accurately be ready at any time to proclaim the word of God. Whether or not it’s popular or convenient, or if whom we are telling the truth to will accept what we say, and more likely than not they will not. Preach the Word correctly, use it to shine light into the dark of sin, reprove and rebuke but also exhort, encourage and comfort everyone with the good news. Do so with patience, complete patience, giving the gospel to an unbeliever can be like pleading with a brick wall, never get frustrated or discourage. We are not the ones responsible to bring about salvation, that is a work of God alone, we are merely the messengers of Christ.

3-4

Paul says the time is coming when people will not accept sound teaching, I say that time has come, and it is sadly just getting worse. People may want to say they are Christians, even though that is rapidly changing as well, they may want to say their Christians but they do not want to follow Christ. They want the honeyed words that lets them feel good about their sin and depraved passions. You see it getting more and more common with every generation, myths and false doctrines are running wild, and people are believing whole heartily in ludicrous falsehoods.

5

But just as Paul instruct Timothy, so are we instructed, be of correct mind. Sober does not just mean not under the influence of alcohol, but be clear headed to the truths of the gospels, the KJV says “But watch thou in all things”, be watchful with a clear head as to the scriptures. Beside her in verse 5 the word evangelist is only used two other times in the New Testament in Acts 21 and Ephesians 4, this may have been a specific office or title that would indicate that an evangelist would be preaching the gospel specifically to non-Christians, and Paul is not telling Timothy to become an evangelist, or start only preaching to non-Christians, but is saying do the work of one. He is saying fulfill his ministry and preach the true word of God to all, be a teacher to those already in the faith and be and evangelist to those who are not.

6

From Paul’s words in verse 6 I think it is pretty clear that Paul does not think he will be released from this imprisonment. Paul says that he is already being poured out as a drink offering, his life given to the Lord, for God’s use and God’s glory. This mention of him being poured out as a drink offering brings us what he said to the church at Phillipa, Philippians 2:17 “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

7

Verse 7 is what every Christian hopes to be able to say at the end of their lives, that we fought the good fight and finished the race, and the most important part, that we have kept the faith. Paul knowing that he is at the end of his race has no regret for what he, through Jesus, has done.

8

Paul knows that when he takes his final breath the struggle will end and he will be with the Lord. The crown of righteousness will be awarded to him and all who long to see His face. The word crown literally means surrounding and was used of the wreaths placed on the heads of the victorious military officers and on champion athletes. That this is a crown of righteousness meaning that the source or nature of the crown is righteousness, as righteousness is awarded to us, but not from our efforts but from Christ’s work and substitutionary sacrifice and is given to all who have their faith in Jesus Christ.

9-22

9

Even though Paul knows that he is at the end of his life he still would like to see Timothy again before the end and tells him to come quickly.

10

Demas is mentioned also in Colossians 4:14 “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.” and was a fair weather disciple of Paul’s and when the trouble came he deserted him, the word deserted him meaning “to utterly abandon”. Crescens and Titus were the opposite of Demas, they were faithful and were sent to Galatia and Dalmatia by Paul to continue working for Christ.

11

Paul says that Luke alone is with him, the same Luke that is the human author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, all others either fleeing for safety or being sent out by Paul. He asks Timothy to get Mark on his way to Rome, the same Mark as the human author of the Gospel of Mark, who at one time abandoned Paul and Barnabus, his cousin, but had become a valued servant to Paul again.

12

Tychicus, also mentioned in Acts, Ephesians, Colossians, and Titus, has been sent to Ephesus before this letter was written or Paul is sending him to deliver this letter to Timothy in Ephesus.

13

Paul asks for him to bring some of his things with him when he comes, his cloak which would have been a heavy over garment that could also be used as a blanket for the cold weather that was approaching, the books referring to scrolls, possibly the Old Testament scrolls, and parchment so he could write more.

14-15

Alexander opposed the teaching of Paul, Paul specifically mentions him as a coppersmith so he may have been involved in idol making, and was probably not the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Timothy, another reason to distinguish him as Alexander the coppersmith. Scripture does not say exactly what this man did other than opposed the teaching to cause the great harm but God is just and vengeance is for the Lord. But Paul make sure to warn Timothy against him.

16

In the Roman legal system and accused person received two hearings and at Paul’s first defense or hearing, like an arraignment, no one came to be by his side. Paul makes sure that everyone know that he is not bitter or resentful of this, even the 12 abandoned Christ when he was in front of the Sanhedrin and Pilot.

17

Paul had someone better and more faithful by his side, Christ. Paul took his strength and comfort in Christ above all and it is only through Christ that we can endure. And because Christ never leaves or forsakes us Paul was able to proclaim the gospel at his defence to all the Gentiles and pagans that were there. He was rescued from the mouth of the lion, calling back to Daniel in the lion’s den, he was not immediately sentenced to death.

18

And even though Paul knows that the rescuing from his first defence was temporary he knows that the Lord will ultimately rescue him and every believer from evil and our delivery into heaven is assured. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19

Prisca and Aquila are mentioned again here as he did in Romans, and 1 Corinthians. Onesiphorus from 1:16 is mentioned here again.

20

Erastus is also mentioned in Acts and Romans, the city treasurer of Corinth. Trophimus who is also mentioned in Acts who was traveling with Paul from Greece, had to be left in Miletus as he fell ill.

21

Paul urges Timothy to come soon, before winter, with the cloak. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia are not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. The first three listed are Latin names and all of these were most likely members of the church in Rome.

22

Paul end 2 Timothy with the same benediction as 1 Timothy, Grace be with you. The you in grace be with you is plural meaning that it was for the entire church in Ephesus. The Bible does not inform us of when Paul was martyred but tradition says that he was beheaded in Rome in 64-68 AD by the Roman emperor Nero in his persecutions of the Christians.