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2 Timothy 4:1-22

Author: Dr. George M. Flattery

2 Timothy 4:1-22

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NAS 2 Timothy 4:1 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: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers following their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Thoughts About 2 Timothy 4:1-5

All ministers who have been ordained to preach will well remember the event of their ordination. It is safe to say that nearly all, if not all, were charged with the same charge that Paul gave to Timothy. The apostle Paul wrote:

1 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: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

Here is Paul’s great appeal for sound doctrine and for preaching that is centered on the Word of God. Ministers of the gospel need to be prepared to always preach the Word. It’s always great to hear someone preach who loves the Word and preaches it with care.

Next, Paul gives a good reason for preaching the Word. Paul says: “3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers following their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

In contrast to those who will not endure sound doctrine, Timothy should “be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (verse 5). Being called to the ministry is a sober calling. Ministers have a great responsibility to lead with wisdom, understanding, grace, and allegiance to the Word.

More Thoughts about 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Paul has expressed his concerns about the false teachers and has charged Timothy with the task of faithfully teaching the truth.  He is in prison and knows that he may soon faith death. Given the situation, he writes his classic passage on facing his earthly demise. He writes:

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.

When Paul says, “I am already being poured out,” he uses the present tense. The present tense indicates the seeming certainty of the event. He is about to be poured out in death, but he had been poured out in ministry for many years. Therefore, he can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” Because of the grace of God, Paul was able to faithfully proclaim the gospel.

Then, Paul says “in the future, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.” When athletes won a competition, they often were given a crown. According to George W. Knight, the crown “was usually a perishable wreath woven from ivy, leaves, or flowers.” Paul would receive a far superior crown, the crown of righteousness.

Regarding this crown, Knight says: “The phrase ‘of righteousness’ may refer to the crown either as a reward for righteous behavior or as a gift consisting of righteousness awarded by the Judge when he returns.” Either way, we will stand before God as righteous followers of Christ.

Paul applies this truth to all believers. Not only will Paul the crown of righteousness be given to Paul, “but also to all who have loved His appearing.” As believers in Christ, we love the thought of Christ’s return, His appearing. We honor Christ by faithfully running the race.

More Thoughts about 2 Timothy

This morning I read again 2 Timothy 4:9-22. I was impressed right away with the realism of the picture that Paul gives us in these closing verses of his letter. We might think that the great apostle Paul did not have any problems with his ministry team and associates. He did have problems, but he remained strong. He looked forward to ultimate victory.

Today, I will post this passage. If anyone is facing problems in their ministry, it would be helpful to read these verses and draw strength from them. With Paul, we can say: “The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (verse 18).

9 Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

George M. Flattery, Ed.D., is the founder of Global University and Network211.

Excerpts transferred from a series originally posted on Dr. George's Facebook.

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