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Preach the Word

I (A)charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, (B)who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. (C)Convince, (D)rebuke, (E)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (F)For the time will come when they will not endure (G)sound doctrine, (H)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and (I)be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, (J)endure afflictions, do the work of (K)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

For (L)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (M)my departure is at hand. (N)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me (O)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous (P)Judge, will give to me (Q)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The Abandoned Apostle

Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for (R)Demas has forsaken me, (S)having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get (T)Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And (U)Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

14 (V)Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. (W)May it not be charged against them.

The Lord Is Faithful

17 (X)But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, (Y)so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered (Z)out of the mouth of the lion. 18 (AA)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. (AB)To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Come Before Winter

19 Greet (AC)Prisca and Aquila, and the household of (AD)Onesiphorus. 20 (AE)Erastus stayed in Corinth, but (AF)Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

21 Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

22 The Lord [c]Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:1 NU omits therefore
  2. 2 Timothy 4:1 NU and by
  3. 2 Timothy 4:22 NU omits Jesus Christ

Preach the Word

(A)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to (B)judge the living and the dead, and by His (C)appearing and His kingdom: preach (D)the word; be ready [a]in season and out of season; (E)correct, rebuke, and [b]exhort, with [c]great (F)patience and instruction. For (G)the time will come when they will not tolerate (H)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they (I)will turn their ears away from the truth and (J)will turn aside to myths. But as for you, (K)use self-restraint in all things, (L)endure hardship, do the work of an (M)evangelist, fulfill your (N)ministry.

For I am already being (O)poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (P)my departure has come. (Q)I have fought the good fight, I have finished (R)the course, I have kept (S)the faith; in the future there (T)is reserved for me (U)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on (V)that day; and not only to me, but also to (W)all who have loved His (X)appearing.

Personal Concerns

(Y)Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for (Z)Demas, having loved (AA)this present [d]world, has deserted me and gone to (AB)Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to [e](AC)Galatia, (AD)Titus to Dalmatia. 11 (AE)Only (AF)Luke is with me. Take along (AG)Mark and bring him with you, (AH)for he is useful to me for service. 12 But I have sent (AI)Tychicus to (AJ)Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at (AK)Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 (AL)Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; (AM)the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our [f]teaching.

16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; (AN)may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and (AO)strengthened me, so that through me (AP)the proclamation might [g]be (AQ)fully accomplished, and that all (AR)the Gentiles might hear; and I was (AS)rescued out of (AT)the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will [h](AU)bring me safely to His (AV)heavenly kingdom; (AW)to [i]Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and (AX)Aquila, and (AY)the household of Onesiphorus. 20 (AZ)Erastus remained at (BA)Corinth, but I left (BB)Trophimus sick at (BC)Miletus. 21 (BD)Make every effort to come before (BE)winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

22 (BF)The Lord be with your spirit. (BG)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:2 I.e., whether it is convenient or not
  2. 2 Timothy 4:2 Or encourage
  3. 2 Timothy 4:2 Lit all
  4. 2 Timothy 4:10 Or age
  5. 2 Timothy 4:10 One early ms Gaul
  6. 2 Timothy 4:15 Lit words
  7. 2 Timothy 4:17 Or be fulfilled
  8. 2 Timothy 4:18 Or save me for
  9. 2 Timothy 4:18 Lit Whom

“Preach the Word”

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry.

For I am already being [a]poured out as a drink offering, and the time of [b]my departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free.(A) I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing.

Personal Concerns

Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved [the pleasures of] this present [c]world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry. 12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come bring the coat that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; [but that is no concern of mine, for] the Lord will repay him according to his actions. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, because he vigorously opposed our message.

16 At my first trial no one supported me [as an advocate] or stood with me, but they all deserted me. May it not be counted against them [by God]. 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened and empowered me, so that through me the [gospel] message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the [d]mouth of the lion. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and He will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed on at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. 21 Try your best to come [to me] before winter. Eubulus wishes to be remembered to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the [e]brothers and sisters.

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

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:6 The drink offering (wine) was required as part of the sacrificial system of the old covenant.
  2. 2 Timothy 4:6 This is Paul’s last inspired letter and was written toward the end of his second Roman imprisonment. During his first imprisonment he was under house arrest, but this time (about five years later) it is believed that he was held in chains in the Tullianum, the lower chamber of the Mamertine dungeon. The Roman historian, Sallust, described the Tullianum as a horrible dungeon “...repulsive and terrible.” It was originally excavated as a cistern for a natural spring. It would have been cold, damp, and incredibly filthy. Both lower and upper chambers served as places of torture and as holding places for those awaiting execution. Paul would have known that there was no hope of release and that his execution was imminent. Nero ruled Rome during both imprisonments.
  3. 2 Timothy 4:10 Or age.
  4. 2 Timothy 4:17 Figurative language—probably a reference to the favorable outcome of his first trial (v 16).
  5. 2 Timothy 4:21 Lit brethren.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,(A) and in view of his appearing(B) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:(C) Preach(D) the word;(E) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke(F) and encourage(G)—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.(H) 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.(I) They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.(J) But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,(K) do the work of an evangelist,(L) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,(M) and the time for my departure is near.(N) I have fought the good fight,(O) I have finished the race,(P) I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me(Q) the crown of righteousness,(R) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day(S)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.(T)

Personal Remarks

Do your best to come to me quickly,(U) 10 for Demas,(V) because he loved this world,(W) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.(X) Crescens has gone to Galatia,(Y) and Titus(Z) to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke(AA) is with me.(AB) Get Mark(AC) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus(AD) to Ephesus.(AE) 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,(AF) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

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

16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.(AI) 17 But the Lord stood at my side(AJ) and gave me strength,(AK) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.(AL) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.(AM) 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack(AN) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.(AO) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(AP)

Final Greetings

19 Greet Priscilla[a] and Aquila(AQ) and the household of Onesiphorus.(AR) 20 Erastus(AS) stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus(AT) sick in Miletus.(AU) 21 Do your best to get here before winter.(AV) Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.[b]

22 The Lord be with your spirit.(AW) Grace be with you all.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  2. 2 Timothy 4:21 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.