2 Timothy 4

Final Charge to Preach the Word

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: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 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. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Paul’s Farewell and Legacy

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.

Personal Instructions

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. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. ¹⁵ You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

The Lord’s Faithfulness

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 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. 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.

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. ²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

Footnotes:

1.“Poured out like a drink offering” (verse 6) refers to the Jewish and pagan practice of pouring out wine or oil as a sacrifice to the gods. Paul uses this image to describe his life as an offering to God, approaching its end.

2.“The crown of righteousness” (verse 8) is a metaphor for the reward of eternal life. The Greek word stephanos refers to a victor’s crown, often given to athletes. Here it symbolizes Paul’s reward for enduring faith.

3.“Demas… has deserted me” (verse 10) refers to a former companion of Paul who left him for worldly pursuits. The Greek word egkataleipo implies a severe form of abandonment.

4.“The lion’s mouth” (verse 17) could refer to literal danger, such as a metaphor for life-threatening opposition, or an allusion to facing judgment in Rome, similar to Daniel’s deliverance from the lion’s den.

5.“Parchments” (verse 13) refers to writing materials used for important documents. These were likely copies of Scripture or other important texts that Paul wanted to continue studying and sharing.

6.“Alexander the metalworker” (verse 14) likely caused Paul trouble by opposing his message or possibly betraying him in court. The name Alexander was common, but his identity here is tied to harmful opposition.

7.“Delivered from the lion’s mouth” (verse 17) evokes a powerful image of rescue from extreme peril. The phrase may have deeper metaphorical meaning for deliverance from opposition or imminent death.