Introductory remarks:
This chapter continues with Paul's last charge to Timothy. "Paul strongly urges Timothy by God and Christ, who will judge all when He comes, to preach patiently and industriously because the time will come when men won't listen anymore. They'll find teachers to tell them what they want to hear. Paul is ready to die, knowing he has fought a good fight and has a reward waiting for him. He asks Timothy to try his best to visit him because only Luke is still with him and to also bring Mark. He asks him to bring some things he left. He speaks of evil done to him and how no one remained with him, but the Lord did and gave him strength to preach and will deliver him and bring him into His heavenly kingdom. He sends personal greetings" (A Survey of 2 Timothy - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Paul's last charge to Timothy continued vv. 1-8: Personal instructions vv. 9-18: Final greetings vv. 19-22.
Paul's Last Charge to Timothy Continued
Verse 1, "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."
LGT "I earnestly testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge the living and dead, and His appearing and His Kingdom."
I earnestly testify before God and Christ Jesus: this is a very solemn testimony of Paul of what Timothy is to expect for the future of the church. Who is about to judge the living and the dead: we will all be judged at the Bema Seat of Christ. And His appearing and His Kingdom: these are two events. His appearing will be when the church is raptured, "when the dead in Christ shall rise first, than we that remain shall be caught up to meet Him in the air" (2 Thess 4:16, 17 - my loose translation). His kingdom will be when He returns to earth and sets up His earthly kingdom for one thousand years.
Verse 2, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
LGT "Proclaim the Word, be ready in season, out of season; convict, rebuke, encourage, with all patience and teaching."
Proclaim the Word: this is what Timothy had been called by God to do, to make known the Word of God publicly. Paul does not tell Timothy to preach about the Word; he does not tell him to lift a verse out of the Bible and make a little sermon about it; Paul tells Timothy to proclaim the Word. Be ready in season and out of season: Paul tells Timothy to stand up and proclaim the gospel of grace whether it is welcomed or not; Timothy was not to worry about results, he was charged to proclaim the Word, and the Holy Spirit would take care of the results. Convict: this means to convince; the Word of God is the great convincer of the soul. Rebuke: Paul tells Timothy to use the authority of his position as the gifted teacher of the assembly in Ephesus to rebuke the offenders. Encourage: Timothy was to comfort those that needed comfort. With all patience and teaching: to the end that teaching grace doctrine will have the desired effect of building them up unto spiritual maturity. His patience was to be practiced in every one of his duties, not just in comforting them. Timothy was to use the same love and tenderness in his rebukes as well as in his comforting them, for it is all to one end, that is, to their edification.
Verse 3, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."
LGT "For there will be a time when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own desires, will heap to themselves teachers, having an itching ear."
For there will be a time when they will not bear sound teaching: I believe Paul is referring to the end times. I also believe we are nearing the end times, for there are very few Christians today that endure sound doctrine; there are also very few teachers teaching sound doctrine. But according to their own desires, will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: this is also describing the organized church today; all people want to come to church today is to be entertained by the pastor and the bands that disgrace God with their awful racket. The preachers today speculate about the Word, they do not preach the Word. The people decide what they will listen to. Vincent has this paragraph on itching ears: "In periods of unsettled faith, skepticism. And mere curious speculation in matters of religion, teachers of all kinds swarm like the flies in Egypt. The demand creates the supply. The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found. 'The master of superstition is the people, and in all superstition wise men follow fools'." The people of the organized church desire to have their ears tickled for the fleshly gratification; they certainly do not want to hear about hell and damnation.
Warren Weirsbe former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago said:
"They want religious entertainment from Christian performers who will tickle their ears. We have a love for novelty in the churches today: emotional movies, pageants, foot-tapping music, colored lights, etc. The man who simply opens the Bible is rejected while the shallow religious entertainer becomes a celebrity. And verse 4 indicates that itching ears soon will become deaf ears as people turn away from the truth and believe man-made fables."
Verse 4, "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
LGT "And from the truth the ear they will turn away, and will be turned aside to fables."
And from the truth, the ear they will turn away: Paul lays the blame for the apostasy on the hearers, and not all on the false teachers. And will be turned aside to fables: these fables of the false teachers were falsehoods invented to appear as truth. "In Timothy's day, it was tragically easy to find such teachers. They were called sophists and wandered from city to city, offering to teach anything in return for money. Isocrates, the Athenian orator, said of them: 'They try to attract pupils by low fees and big promises.' They were prepared to teach the whole virtue for a modest fee. They would teach people to argue subtly [shrewdly] and to use words cleverly until they could make the 'worse appear the better reason'. Plato described them savagely: 'Hunters after young men of wealth and position, with sham education as their bait, and a fee for their object, making money by a scientific use of quibbles [nit-picking] in private conversation, while quite aware that what they are teaching is wrong' . . . People were surrounded by false teachers offering their sham knowledge. Their deliberate policy was to find arguments whereby people could justify anything they wanted to. Any teacher, even today, whose teaching tends to make people think less of sin is a menace to Christianity and to society as a whole" (William Barclay).
Verse 5, "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
LGT "But thou, be sober in all things, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, thy service fully perform."
But thou, be sober in all things: Paul tells Timothy to be thoughtfully composed at all times. Suffer hardships: Timothy was to be mature enough to endure hard times. These hard times were not only in privation of everyday necessaries, but the resistance of the people brought on by their willingness to listen to the false teachers. Do the work of an evangelist: this is not as we think of an evangelist today; an evangelist was a missionary setting up Bible studies in the homes. An evangelist was a traveling minister of the gospel of grace, not confined to one local assembly. Thy service fully perform: Paul tells Timothy to carry out the mission he was given by performing his duties as he laid out for him.
Verse 6, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand."
LGT "For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is come."
For I am already poured out: Paul was ready now to be released from this life. He now knew his time had come, and his life had been poured out like a drink offering, poured out on the sacrifice on the altar going up in steam (Phil.2:17); Paul's life had been poured for Christ, and everything he did pointed to our blessed Savior. Paul's life was a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God" (Rom 12:1,2). And the time of my release is come: Paul is writing about his departure from this life. The verb from which the noun is derived, "release", gr. analuseos, means a release or departure. "It is applied to the act of unloosing of a ship, preparatory to a departure. The proper idea in the use of the word would be that he had been bound to the present world, like a ship to its moorings, and that death would be a release. He would now spread his sails on the broad ocean of eternity. The true idea of death is that of loosening the bands that confine us to the present world; of setting us free, and permitting the soul to go forth, as with expanded sails, on its eternal voyage. With such a view of death, why should a Christian fear to die?" (Barnes)
Verse 7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;"
LGT "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:"
Paul describes his life in three arenas. The first on the battlefield fighting the spiritual battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil: I have fought the good fight. The second the spiritual race for eternal rewards or crowns: I have finished the course. The third was crossing the finish line a winner: I have kept the faith. Now it is not salvation Paul is writing about, but receiving that well done from the Father for his being a good steward. Paul gives us an example of a real spiritual winner. The world would view Paul's life as a real loser; the fact that he was in prison, and facing an ignominious death, with nothing to show for his life but his bloody head. But Paul considered faithfulness to the Lord primary, and he kept the faith, that is, he kept being faithful.
William Pringle notes on this word faith:
"This word 'Faith' may be taken for faithfulness; as if he had said that he was loyal to our Lord Jesus Christ, and that he never flinched, that he always performed what belonged to his office. But we may also take this word Faith in its ordinary meaning, that Paul did not turn aside from the pure simplicity of the gospel, and even that he relied on the promises of salvation which had been given to him, and, having preached to others, showed that he was in earnest in what he spoke. For, indeed, all the loyalty which God demands from us proceeds from our adhering firmly to His Word, and being founded on it in such a manner that we shall not be moved by any storm or tempest that may arise."
Verse 8, "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 that love his appearing."
LGT "Henceforth is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all the ones who love His appearing."
Henceforth: As to what remains. Is laid up for me the crown of righteousness: Paul mentions two crowns that are laid away for him; this one, the crown of righteousness, and the victor's crown (1 Cor 9:25). Which the Lord, the righteous Judge: Jesus Christ who will judge us all at the Bema Seat (2 Cor. 5:10). Will render to me: Paul has not received his crown as yet, but will receive it at the same time all believers stand before the Bema Seat of Christ after the rapture of the Church. This crown of righteousness is the reward for a faithful life. And not only to me: Paul is completely assured that he will receive this crown, along with others who: Also the ones who love His appearing: every believer that lovingly expect His soon return, and welcome it. You may ask, "Doesn't every Christian love his appearing?" I answer, "certainly not." If we are honest, there have been times in our lives that we didn't want Christ to come back too soon, for we had things to do. I believe the older we get, the more we welcome His return. Others are so tied to this world and its goods, that they fear loosing their possessions; this is why Christ said, "Lay not for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay them up in heaven." I might add that all rewards are for what the Holy Spirit has produced in the believer, and that it would not have been possible if we had not been saved by the grace of God, and made righteous by the imputation of Christ's righteousness in us, and the indwelling Holy Spirit producing acts of righteousness in us. The Holy Spirit produces the works of righteousness in us, and gives us this anxious expectation of Christ's soon return, and then Christ will reward us for our willingness to be used by the Holy Spirit.
Personal Instruction
Verse 9, "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me."
LGT "Be diligent to come to me quickly."
Paul knew that his time on this earth was quickly coming to a close. He desired, for personal reasons, to see Timothy before he died. Paul wanted comfort from his spiritual child, and he wanted to give him final counsel for the good of the entire church before he was called home. The benefit for Timothy would be great, and his separation from his pastoral duties in Ephesus would be a great benefit for the assembly also in the long run. This visit of Timothy to see Paul in his last days would be a great maturing process for young Timothy, and he would be even more capable of giving comfort to those in Ephesus that needed this type of comfort.
Verse 10, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia."
LGT "For Demas forsook me, having loved the present age, and is gone to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia."
For Demas forsook me, having loved this present age: Demas is mentioned in Colossians 4:14, and Philemon 24, and was counted among the ones who supported Paul; however, when the heat got too great, he left Paul and retreated to Thessalonica, having loved the security of the world where the opposition wasn't so great. Crescens to Galatia: Crescens did not abandon Paul, but went to minister in Galatia, otherwise Paul would have indicated that he did. Titus to Dalmatia: Paul sent Titus to Dalmatia, "part of the country known generally as Illyricum, along the eastern coast of the Adriatic. See Rom. 15:19.
Verse 11, "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry."
LGT "Luke alone is with me. Pick up Mark, bring him with thyself: for he is useful to me for service."
Luke alone is with me: Luke is with Paul now just as he was in Paul's first imprisonment in Rome. McGee says, "Good old Dr. Luke stood by Paul clear to the end." Pick up Mark, bring him with thyself: Paul would not take Mark on his second missionary journey Acts (15:37ff.), but Mark has changed his conduct and Paul has changed his mind concerning him. For he is useful to me for service: Paul might have wanted to let Mark know that he had no ill feelings toward him, and that he wanted to assure him that he was useful in the service of the Lord. "The American Baptist Harry Emerson Fosdick had a sermon with the great and uplifting title: 'No man need stay the way he is.' Mark is proof of that. He is our encouragement and our inspiration, for he was the man who failed and yet made good. To this day, Jesus Christ can make cowards brave and give strength to those who are afraid. He can release the sleeping hero that lies in every soul. He can turn the shame of failure into the joy of triumphant service" (William Barclay).
Verse 12, "And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus."
LGT "But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus."
Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus because he was a minister in the assembly there.
Verse 13, "The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments."
LGT "The cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus, bring [when] coming, and the books, especially the parchments."
The cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus, bring when coming: the cloak was a traveler's wrap that was used in the wintertime for traveling. Carpus was a friend of Paul's but is nowhere else mentioned. Paul may have resided in Carpus' house when he ministered in Troas. And the books, especially the parchments: These were special books and papers belonging to Paul, and he wanted them at this time. It would be speculation to guess what their contents were, or why he needed them at this time.
Verse 14, "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works."
LGT "Alexander the smith did against me many evil things: the Lord shall reward him according to his works."
Alexander the smith did against me many evil things: the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Tim. 1:20, but not the one in Acts 19:33f. The Lord shall reward him according to his works: Paul says this not out of personal revenge, for the evil that Alexander did against Paul was really against God's Word, and God would meet out the proper vengeance.
Verse 15, "Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words."
LGT "Whom also thou beware of, for he has exceedingly withstood our words."
Alexander openly stood against the grace doctrines Paul was teaching while he was in Ephesus. Paul warns Timothy about this particular troublemaker, and not to be taken in by his soft-soaping deviousness.
Verse 16, "At my first answer no man stood with me, but men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge."
LGT "At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me: Not to them may it be reckoned."
At my first defense no one stood with me: Paul is probably making reference to standing alone at his first trial; there is no way of knowing for sure; it may mean in his defense of the gospel of grace in general, but most probably the first. But all forsook me: when things got rough for Paul, he was deserted; he had no one to stand by his side. Not to them may it be reckoned: Paul's desire was that the Lord would forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Verse 17, "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion."
LGT "But the Lord stood by me and poured power into me, in order that through me the gospel of grace might be fully made known, and all the Gentiles should hear, and I was delivered out of the Lion's mouth."
But the Lord stood by me and poured power into me: even though the church in Rome failed him, God poured out His delivering power to Paul, and gave him full assurance that he could resist all with God at his side. In order that through me the gospel of grace might be fully made known: Paul is asserting his apostleship here; he is stating that God had chosen him for this fantastic privilege of making the gospel of free grace known to all the Gentile nations. And all the Gentiles should hear: God had called Paul on the road to Damascus to be the apostle to the Gentiles. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion: Paul was a Roman citizen so it was not possible for Nero to throw him to the lions. I believe Paul is making this as a general statement the same way we might say after a narrow escape of death, "I was delivered out of the jaws of death."
Verse 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."
LGT "And the Lord will deliver me from every wicked work, and He will preserve [me] for His heavenly kingdom; to whom [be] glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen."
And the Lord will deliver me from every wicked work: Paul was not afraid of death for he knew it would translate him to his glorified state. And He will preserve me for His heavenly kingdom: Paul knew that absent from the body was presence with the Lord. Paul knew that it was God that kept him secure and preserved and protected Him against all wickedness, and that it was not his own perseverance. To whom be glory unto the ages of the ages: Paul breaks out with this doxology knowing that he would soon be home with the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen: so be it!
Final Greetings
Verse 19, "Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus."
LGT "Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus."
Paul bids farewell to all his friends in Ephesus. They were with Paul when he wrote his epistle to the Romans, but left and went into Asia Minor and settled at Ephesus.
Verse 20, "Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick."
LGT "Erastus remained in Corinth: but Trophimus remained in Miletus sick."
Erastus remained in Corinth: in (Acts 19:22), he was sent by Paul with Timothy to Macedonia from Ephesus. But Trophimus remained in Miletus sick: Trophimus was unable to travel to Rome and be with Paul because of sickness making him unable to travel.
Verse 21, "Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Prudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren."
LGT "Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus and Prudens greet thee, and Linus and Claudia, and all the brethren."
Be diligent to come before winter: "Pathetic item if Paul was now in the Mamertine Dungeon in Rome with winter coming on and without his cloak for which he asked. How long he had been in prison this time we do not know. He may even have spent the previous winter or part of it here" (Robertson). However Paul was probably more concerned about Timothy sailing in the most dangerous season of the year. Eubulus and Prudens greet thee, and Linus and Claudia, and all the brethren: Paul is very careful not to leave anyone out of his final greeting.
Verse 22, "The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen."
LGT "The Lord [be] with thy spirit. Grace [be] with you."
Paul begins this letter with Grace (1:2) and ends with Grace. This ends this wonderful letter.
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