2 Timothy 4

I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:

preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts,

and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.

But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

Be diligent to come to me soon,

for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

Beware of him, for he greatly opposed our words.

At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.

Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter presents Paul’s final exhortation to Timothy as he faces imminent death, urging faithful proclamation of the gospel despite coming apostasy, while also expressing personal needs and reflections on his own life’s completion.

Flow.

Paul solemnly charges Timothy to preach the word with perseverance, warning that a time of doctrinal rejection and spiritual futility is coming.
He calls Timothy to personal fidelity—sober endurance, evangelistic labor, and ministry fulfillment—amidst declining loyalty and widespread departure from truth.
Paul reflects on his impending death as a finished course, confident in the Lord’s preservation and the promised crown of righteousness.
He requests Timothy’s swift return, shares practical instructions and greetings, and closes with a note of divine presence and grace.

Connections. Following chapter 3’s emphasis on the perilous times ahead and the need for steadfastness in Scripture, this chapter intensifies the call to gospel faithfulness in the face of abandonment and spiritual decline, which chapter 3 describes as the pattern of the last days (). The resolve to preach the word in chapter 4 flows directly from the prior exhortation to hold fast to apostolic teaching (), and the personal urgency prepares the reader for the letter’s close, though no next chapter follows—this final charge stands as Paul’s farewell to the church’s ongoing mission.

What it teaches. The gospel must be proclaimed faithfully regardless of opposition, for God will judge all according to their response to Christ’s appearing (WCF 3.7; , 8). Apostasy arises when people turn from sound doctrine to myths, driven by desires rather than truth (WCF 10.4; HC LD 21 q. 54). Yet Christ sustains His servants for the work He appoints, preserving them unto salvation (WCF 17.1; 18.1; ). The believer’s life is to be lived as a spiritual sacrifice, culminating in resurrection hope and reward (WCF 8.6; ; ). Even in desertion, God remains faithful, and His workers are upheld by divine strength for gospel proclamation (WCF 16.4; ).

Apply. Continue in the work given, knowing that faithfulness to the word sustains both the preacher and those who will one day stand before the righteous Judge.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.