2 Timothy 4:1-22
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;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 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;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
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 also that love his appearing.
9 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.a
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. [The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.]
As the result of these charges, the apostle shows what Timothy's attitude must be toward those over whom he has oversight. There are four things which he must do. "Preach the Word," "reprove," "rebuke," "exhort." The qualities of the Word which are of value in building personal character are to be used in carrying out relative responsibility.
Then follow what are, in all probability, the last written words of Paul preserved to us. His position was that he was already "being offered." This was a reference to his consciousness that his life was drawing to a close. He referred to that coming experience as a "departure."
Looking back over the years of service, he had no lament, but triumphant thankfulness. Three phrases indicate his consciousness of that service, "I have fought," "I have finished," "I have kept." Looking to the future, he declared that a crown was laid up for him. He then referred to his associates. Demas had left him, having loved the present age. Crescens was away in Galatia, Titus in Dalmatia, both probably carrying out some mission. Luke was still by his side. Mark was absent, but Timothy was charged to bring him with him when he came. Tychicus was also absent in Ephesus. It is in some senses a sad picture, yet it glows with light. The final section is purely personal. Paul commissioned Timothy to bring a cloak, some books, and certain parchments.
It is impossible to read the close of this letter without seeing how remarkably the apostle had been brought into active fellowship with his Lord. His last words were of the nature of a prayer of desire, expressive of all he felt that Timothy would need in the midst of the difficulties and dangers of his position in Ephesus, "The Lord be with thy spirit." If this desire were fulfilled, the faithfulness of Timothy would be assured.
The closing sentence, "Grace be with you," is such as would be expected from Paul. The one theme of all his preaching and teaching had been grace. The way of grace is the way of the Lord's fellowship; it is by grace that the Master abides with the spirit of His servant.