The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy Chapter Four
1 I Charge thee therefore before God, and before the Lord Jesus Christ, which shall judge the quick and dead at that his appearing, and in his kingdom,
2 Preach the word: be instant, in season, and out of season: improve, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine: but having their ears itching, shall after their own lusts get them an heap of teachers,
4 And shall turn their ears from the truth, and shall be given unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things: suffer adversity: do the work of an Evangelist: cause thy ministry to be thoroughly liked of.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departing is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, and have finished my course: I have kept the faith.
8 For henceforth is laid up for me the 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 that his appearing.
9 Make speed to come unto me at once:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, and hath embraced this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica. Crescens is gone to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable unto me to minister.
12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but specially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works.
15 Of whom be thou ware also: for he withstood our preaching sore.
16 At my first answering no man assisted me, but all forsook me: I pray God, that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord assisted me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully believed, and that all the Gentiles should hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be praise for ever and ever, Amen.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
21 Make speed 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.
Editor’s thoughgts:
Verse 2 - Be ready at any time to speak upon and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. For one never knows when the opportunities might arise. Be knowledgeable and well armed by the word of God to do so. Likewise, use this knowledge not only as instruction, that should be done with love and patience, but also to rebuke or exhort as the case may be.
Verse 2 - Be ready at any time to speak upon and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. For one never knows when the opportunities might arise. Be knowledgeable and well armed by the word of God to do so. Likewise, use this knowledge not only as instruction, that should be done with love and patience, but also to rebuke or exhort as the case may be.
Verse 5 - Be careful and watchful in all that you do, and say. It is certain, that you will experience hardships and persecution, do so with patience, and know full well that God is perfecting and refining you for all good and profitable works.
Verse 17 - The Lord is faithful and will remain so as it is His very righteousness nature that makes Him so. In the various trials and tribulations that you will go through you will find that He will deliver you, and in the process strengthen you.
“Be instant in season, out of season By these words he recommends not only constancy, but likewise earnestness, so as to overcome all hindrances and difficulties; for, being, by nature, exceedingly effeminate or slothful, we easily yield to the slightest opposition, and sometimes we gladly seek apologies for our slothfulness. Let us now consider how many arts Satan employs to stop our course, and how slow to follow, and how soon wearied are those who are called. Consequently, the gospel will not long maintain its place, if pastors do not urge it earnestly.
Reprove, rebuke, exhort By these words he means, that we have need of many excitements to urge us to advance in the right course; for if we were as teachable as we ought to be, a minister of Christ would draw us along by the slightest expression of his will. But now, not even moderate exhortations, to say nothing of sound advice, are sufficient for shaking off our sluggishness, if there be not increased vehemence of reproofs and threatening.
But watch thou in all things. He proceeds with the former exhortation, to the effect that the more grievous the diseases are, the more earnestly Timothy may labor to cure them; and that the nearer dangers are at hand, the more diligently he may keep watch. And because the ministers of Christ, when they faithfully discharge their office, are immediately called to engage in combats, he at the same time reminds Timothy to be firm and immovable in enduring adversity.
Leaning on heavenly power, he was himself fully able to bear the whole burden and was so far from being discouraged by the influence of that fear which seized on all, that it became only the more evident that the grace of God has no need of receiving aid from any other quarter. He does not boast of his courage, but gives thanks to the Lord; that, when reduced to extremities, he did not give way nor lose heart under so dangerous a temptation. He, therefore, acknowledges that he was supported by the arm of the Lord, and is satisfied with this, that the inward grace of God served as a shield to defend him against every assault.” - John Calvin Theologian
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