LAST WORDS

2 Timothy 4:1–22 (NLT)

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:

2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can.

10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.

12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done.

15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.

16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.

17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.

18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus.

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

21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.

Introduction:

A person’s last words can be very significant. They are a window that helps us to look into his heart, or a measure that helps us evaluate his life. In this chapter, we have Paul’s last words to Timothy and to the church.

It is interesting that Paul expressed no regrets as he came to the end. He even forgave those who made his situation difficult (2 Tim. 4:16).

2 Timothy 4:16 (NLT)

16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.

More than seventeen people are referred to in this chapter, which shows that Paul was a friend-maker as well as a soul winner. Though his own days were numbered, Paul thought of others.

The apostle gave three final admonitions to Timothy, and he backed each of them up with a reason.

I- Preach the Word! (2 Tim. 4:1–4)

2 Timothy 4:1–4 (NLT)

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:

2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

A- The seriousness of Paul’s word to Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:1)

2 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:

Διαμαρτύρομαι ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, τοῦ μέλλοντος κρίνειν ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς, καὶ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ·

1- Paul gives a strong instruction to Timothy.

Διαμαρτύρομαι = a strengthened form of marturomai (dia, “through,” intensive), is used in the middle voice; primarily it signifies to testify through and through, bear a solemn witness; hence, “to charge earnestly,” 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 2:14;

1 Timothy 5:21 (NLT)

21 I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.

2 Timothy 2:14 (NLT)

14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

2- Paul reminds Timothy that Christ will judge us all.

B- The specific nature of Paul’s word to Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

2 Timothy 4:2–4 (NLT)

2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

1- Preach the Word of God

a- Always be prepared

b- preach in times that are favorable or not.

It is easy to make excuses when we ought to be making opportunities.

(Ecc. 11:4).

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT)

4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

Stop making excuses and get to work!

c- Preach to build-up God’s people and help them to become like Jesus.

“Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” (v. 2)

d- The need is urgent. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NLT)

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

II- Fulfill Your Ministry (2 Tim. 4:5–8)

2 Timothy 4:5–8 (NLT)

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

A- Carry out God’s work even when the going gets tough. (2 Timothy 4:5)

2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT)

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

1- Timothy was not only a preacher; he was also a soldier (2 Tim. 2:3–4) who would have to “endure afflictions”.

2 Timothy 2:3–4 (NLT)

3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

B- Carry out God’s work with a view to the goal. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

2 Timothy 4:6–8 (NLT)

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

1-He had seen Paul go through sufferings on more than one occasion (2 Cor. 6:1–10 ; 2 Tim. 3:10–12).

He looked around (v. 6). Paul realized that his time was short. He was on trial in Rome and had been through the first hearing (2 Tim. 4:17). But Paul knew that the end was near.

Paul looked back (v. 7). He summed up his life and ministry. Two of the images here are athletic: like a determined wrestler or boxer, he had fought a good fight; and, like a runner, he had finished his lifelong race victoriously. He had kept the rules and deserved a prize (see Acts 20:24; Phil. 3:13–14).

Paul looked ahead (v. 8). A Greek or Roman athlete who was a winner was rewarded by the crowds and usually got a laurel wreath or a garland of oak leaves. The word for “crown” is stephanos—the victor’s crown; we get our name Stephen from this word. (The kingly crown is diadema, from which we get “diadem.”) However, Paul would not be given a fading crown of leaves; his would be a crown of righteousness that would never fade.

2- You and I must be faithful until Jesus takes us home.

We are not called to be apostles; yet we can win the same crown that Paul won. If we love Christ’s appearing, live in obedience to His will, and do the work He has called us to do, we will be crowned.

III- Be Diligent and Faithful (2 Tim. 4:9–22)

2 Timothy 4:9–22 (NLT)

9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can.

10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.

12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done.

15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.

16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.

17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.

18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus.

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

21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.

A- Paul’s Diligence and Faithfulness to the Gospel.

1- Paul remained faithful even when others were not.

B- Paul’s appeals for Timothy to be diligent and faithful..

1- Why should Timothy be diligent and faithful?

a- Some in Paul’s circle were not faithful, and he could not depend on them.

Demas is named only three times in the New Testament; yet these three citations tell a sad story of failure.

Paul listed Demas along with Mark and Luke as one of his “fellow laborers” (Phile. 24).

Philemon 24 (NLT)

24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

Then he is simply called “Demas” (Col. 4:14).

Colossians 4:14 (NLT)

14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas.

Here (2 Tim. 4:10)

2 Timothy 4:10 (NLT)

10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.

Paul gave the reason: Demas “he loves the things of this life.”

He had, as a believer, “tasted … the powers of the world to come” (Heb. 6:5); but he preferred “this present evil world” (Gal. 1:4).

In his Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan pictured Demas as the keeper of a silver mine at the Hill Lucre. Perhaps it was the love of money that enticed Demas back into the world. It must have broken Paul’s heart to see Demas fail so shamefully; yet it can happen to any believer. Perhaps this explains why Paul had so much to say about riches in his pastoral letters.

b- Another reason why Paul wanted Timothy in Rome was that his next hearing was coming up and only Luke was with him.

The believers in Rome and Ephesus who could have stood with Paul had failed him (2 Tim. 4:16); but Paul knew that Timothy would not fail him.

2 Timothy 4:16 (NLT)

16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.

Of course, the Lord had not failed Paul either! (2 Tim. 4:17)

2 Timothy 4:17 (NLT)

17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.

The Lord had promised to stay with Paul, and He had kept His promise.

(Acts 18:9–11)

(Acts 23:11)

(Acts 27:22ff)

Notes on Paul’s co-workers and enemies:

Luke (2 Tim. 4:11) is the “beloved physician” who traveled with Paul (Col. 4:14). He is author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. (Notice the “we” sections in Acts, the eyewitness reports of Dr. Luke.) Paul probably dictated this letter (2 Tim.) to Luke. Being a doctor, Luke must have appreciated Paul’s reference to gangrene (2 Tim. 2:17, niv).

Crescens (2 Tim. 4:10) was sent by Paul to Galatia. We know nothing about him, nor do we really need to know. He was another faithful laborer who assisted Paul in an hour of great need.

Titus (2 Tim. 4:10) was Paul’s close associate and, along with Timothy, a trusted “troubleshooter.” Paul had left Titus in Crete to straighten out the problems in the churches there (Titus 1:5). As we study Paul’s letter to Titus, we get better acquainted with this choice servant of God. Titus had met Paul at Nicopolis during that period between Paul’s arrests (Titus 3:12). Now Paul had summoned him to Rome and sent him to Dalmatia (our modern Yugoslavia).

Mark (2 Tim. 4:11) was a cousin of Barnabas, Paul’s first partner in missionary service (Acts 13:1–3). His mother was a noted Christian in Jerusalem (Acts 12:5, 12). Unfortunately, John Mark failed on that first missionary journey (Acts 13:5, 13). Paul refused to take Mark on the second trip, and this led to a falling-out between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36–41). However, Paul now admitted that John Mark was a valuable worker; and he wanted Mark with him in Rome. How good it is to know that one failure in Christian service need not make one’s whole life a failure.

Tychicus (2 Tim. 4:12) was a believer from the province of Asia (Acts 20:4) who willingly accompanied Paul and probably ministered as a personal servant to the apostle. He was with Paul during his first imprisonment (Eph. 6:21–22; Col. 4:7–8). Paul sent Tychicus to Crete to relieve Titus (Titus 3:12). Now he was sending him to Ephesus to relieve Timothy. What a blessing it is to have people who can replace others! A relief pitcher may not get all the glory, but he may help win the game!

Carpus (2 Tim. 4:13) lived at Troas and gave Paul hospitality. Paul must have departed in a hurry (was he being sought for arrest?) because he left his cloak and books behind. However, Carpus was a faithful brother; he would guard them until somebody picked them up to take to Paul. Even such so-called menial tasks are ministries for the Lord.

Is Alexander the coppersmith (2 Tim. 4:14) the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20? Nobody knows, and there is no value in conjecturing. The name was common, but it is possible that this heretic went to Rome to make things difficult for Paul. Satan has his workers too. By the way, Paul’s words, “The Lord reward him according to his works” (2 Tim. 4:14), are not a prayer of judgment, for this would be contrary to Jesus’ teaching (Matt. 5:43–48). “The Lord will reward him” is a better translation.

Prisca (or Priscilla) and Aquila (2 Tim. 4:19) were a husband-and-wife team that assisted Paul in many ways (see Acts 18:1–3, 24–28; Rom. 16:3–4; 1 Cor. 16:19). Now they were in Ephesus helping Timothy with his ministry. It is wonderful when God’s people do their work regardless of who their leader is.

Onesiphorus (2 Tim. 4:19) and his household we met in 2 Timothy 1.

Erastus (2 Tim. 4:20) might be the treasurer of Corinth (Rom. 16:23); and he might be the same man who ministered with Timothy in Macedonia (Acts 19:22).

Trophimus (2 Tim. 4:20) from Ephesus was a friend of Tychicus (Acts 20:4), and the man whose presence with Paul helped to incite that riot in Jerusalem (Acts 21:28–29). He had been serving at Miletus, but now he was ill. Why did Paul not heal him? Apparently not every sick person is supposed to be miraculously healed.

The other people mentioned (2 Tim. 4:21) are unknown to us, but certainly not to the Lord.