Giving us the charge to preach from the beginning of this chapter, 2Tim.4 and verse 1 reads.
2Tim.4:1] 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;
Paul is charging Timothy and us with this statement. And that it comes from the Father and the Son. Quick is “the living”, dead is “spiritually dead”.
2Tim.4:2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Telling us to preach the word that the Lord has given to us, longsuffering is with patience. With patience and the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Let’s not overlook this, we are to preach and teach Christ crucified, and that he is risen. Written in Titus 2:13 and it reads.
Titus 2:13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
[15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Back to 2Tim.4 and verse 3 reads.
2Tim.4:3] 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;
We covered this in chapter 3 verse 1 of this book, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
2Tim.4:4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Mark 13:22, Matthew 24:11. But I want to go to the Old Testament, Zech.10:1-2 and it reads.
Zech.10:1] Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
For the elect’s sake he will give them rain (His Truth) in the time of the latter rain (In the end times).
Zech.10:2] For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
There will be an apostasy in these end times, they will turn away from the true God and worship the antichrist. But the Lord is faithful for his children and will provide a way out, it is his word. (1Cor.10:13). Do not be deceived. Back to 2Tim.4 and verse 5 reads.
2Tim.4:5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Be watchmen in all prophecies, bring unbelievers to Christ, study to show thyself approved.
2Tim.4:6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Paul will be beheaded soon after this letter.
2Tim.4:7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
G3144, Martus in Greek and Martyr in English. And means; Those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death.
2Tim.4:8] 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.
Let’s go to James 1:12 and it reads.
James 1:12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Now let’s go to Rev.4:4 and it reads.
Rev.4:4] And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Clothed in white raiment (Works). These 24 elders are the 12 Apostles and the 12 patriarchs, children of Jacob. Let’s drop down to verses 10-11 and read.
Rev.4:10] The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Catch this, that you and I were created for his pleasure. Back to 2Tim.4 and verse 9 reads.
2Tim.4:9] 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.
Demas was Paul’s companion until he deserted him and went back to Thessalonica, let’s go to 1John 2:15 and it reads.
1John 2:15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Hate to be in his shoes. Back to 2Tim.4 and verse 11 reads.
2Tim.4:11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Luke is only with him and is the scribe of this letter.
2Tim.4:12] And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
Written in Ephesians 6:19-22 and it reads.
Eph.6:19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
[21] But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
[22] Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Back to 2Tim.4 and verse 13 reads.
2Tim.4:13] The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
Paul wanted his coat. Asking that they bring to him his books and especially his notes.
2Tim.4:14] 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.
Alexander was a false witness against Paul, and Paul is warning them of his trickery.
2Tim.4:16] 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.
The apostles forsook the Lord also, “smite the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.” Paul is simply asking the Lord not to hold it against them, he is very compassionate for them.
2Tim.4:17] 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.
The LORD will never leave you or forsake you when you are doing the Lord’s business. Let’s go to Psalms 22:19-21.
Psa.22:19] But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
[20] Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
[21] Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
This word unicorns should have been translated as “wild oxen”. Back to 2Tim.4 and verse 18 reads.
2Tim.4:18] 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.
Written in Psalms 121:7 and it reads.
Psa.121:7] The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Back to 2Tim.4 and verse 19 reads.
2Tim.4:19] 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.
As always Paul gives his salutations with much credit to those around him. Wonderfully written, but the most important takeaway from both of these letters is to teach God’s word boldly, and fear no man, but serve the LORD. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible