Verses 1-2 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.
The Greek word translated as “judge” is “krino” and it means to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose, to approve, esteem, to prefer, to determine, to pronounce judgement, and to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong. So the Apostle Paul is reminding Timothy that when Jesus returns he shall separate, pick out, select, or choose those people He approves, esteems and prefers because they are righteous from those that He will separate, pick out, select, and choose who are unrighteous. These will be all people, both those who are alive physically and spiritually (the quick), and those who have died physically and spiritually (the dead). Knowing this, Timothy is to be ready (be instant) to preach or proclaim the Gospel when the opportunity occurs regardless of the circumstances he is experiencing.
The Greek word translated as “reprove” is “elegho” and it means to convict, to expose, to find fault with, to correct, to show one his fault, or to demand an explanation. The Greek word translated as ” rebuke” is “epitimao” and it means to admonish or to charge sharply. The Greek word translated as “exhort” is “parakaleo” and it means to call to one’s side, to address or speak to, to console, to encourage and strengthen, or to comfort. So Timothy and all Christian believers are to teach and use the Word of God (doctrine) to convict and expose sin in the lives of others, to admonish or warn others, and to encourage others, all the time putting up with them patiently (with all longsuffering).
Application: Pastor David Meyer relays a story that demonstrates how God uses His Word in ways that gets results because people can hear His word and come away with a different understanding. Apparently, a woman returned to her house to find someone was in her house rummaging around in another room and burglarizing her possessions. She couldn’t see the person, and without thinking she called out that the person needed to repent, be baptized and filled with the Spirit and she quoted the source as Acts 2:38. The burglar became quiet and did not exit the room he was in, and she called the police. When the police arrived and arrested the burglar, they asked him why he hadn’t run away as all the homeowner had done was quote a Bible verse. He replied that he thought she was saying she had an axe and two 38 handguns and so he was not going to budge out of the room he was in. So Christian believers do not have to worry about the results of their sharing the Word of God with others, but only have to share it. How a person hears and receives it is God’s responsibility and He knows what He is doing.
Verses 3-4 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.
Why should Timothy and all Christian believers do as the Apostle Paul commands in the verses above and not wait until the time may be more convenient for a conversation with someone? Because of verse 3 above. Unfortunately, this is the state of affairs in the current world population today. In the church world, partly because of the 80,000 false bible versions out there and because of corrupt pastors and leaders, people are not willing to accept the truth of the Gospel but are more than willing to accept false doctrine or fables which are a fiction, a falsehood or an invention. This writer has often sat down with “believers” and read with them a passage of Scripture which says what it says, and they adamantly refuse to accept the clear meaning of the written words, but twist the words and apply the false doctrine or fable they have been led to believe to be true. They would rather listen to a televangelist teaching falsehoods than read the Scripture for themselves and ask the Holy Ghost/Spirit to reveal the meaning to them if they do not understand it. Since the King James Bible has a readability level of fifth grade, there should be no reason to not understand what God has clearly had His prophets write. But today is a day in that season of time called the last days when, as the Apostle Paul predicted, “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.”
Application: This writer will, at every opportunity, continue to claim that the end-time doctrine or teaching in most evangelical establishment churches today developed by C. I. Scofield around 1906 and popularized by the Left Behind Series is a fable, a lie, and false doctrine, and it leads to total misunderstanding of other parts of Scripture, making the Church in general ignorant of current events and what Satan and his fallen angels are doing through evil men and seducers. Research it for yourself.
Verse 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
The Greek word translated as “watch” is “nepho” and it means to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, and to be circumspect. For the Christian believer, regardless of what devils or evil people or just hard times bring, he/she is to have faith in the LORD Jesus Christ and to trust Him in all circumstances, and then he/she cannot be shaken and will have that peace that unbelievers cannot have and cannot understand in the midst of tribulation and affliction.
Application: Timothy was doing the work of an evangelist because he traveled and went where God told him to go and preached the Gospel. In today’s western church world an evangelist is a specific job description in the Church, but the Greek word, “euaggelistes”, actually means a bringer of good tidings. “And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Ephesians 4:11 So an evangelist was a function or position in the Church and an evangelist could also be a teacher and a pastor and a prophet. It was not a single job description like it is today. So everyone who names the name of Jesus and who shares the Gospel with strangers at shopping malls, parks, etc., is actually an evangelist when sharing the good news of the Gospel with the unsaved. Think about it.
Verses 6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.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.
Remember that the Apostle Paul was in the Mamertine Prison in Rome when he was writing this epistle. When someone was sentenced to death, they were brought to this underground prison to await execution. It was usually reserved for political prisoners. It was dank and dark and cold. The Greek word translated as “offered” is “spendo” and it means to pour out as a drink offering or figuratively, it means one whose blood is poured out in a violent death for the cause of God. The Apostle Paul knew he was going to be executed and he was ready and apparently not concerned. He had done all that he could to represent and present the Gospel to people everywhere and had basically spread the Gospel to all of the known world through his three missionary journeys. He had started churches wherever he went and he had nurtured these churches until they could stand on their own. He had discipled various individuals to pastor these churches, and in his spare time, he had penned most of the epistles or books compiled in the New Testament. He endured hardships beyond belief and his body was covered with the scars that recorded the physical abuse he had received at the hands of unbelievers. At this point in his life, he knew his mission on Earth was complete and he was ready to go home to be with Jesus. He knew he was going to a better place to hear His Savior say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21
Application: The Apostle Paul stated above that he had, “fought a good fight”. The Christian life is a battle between good and evil and anyone who doesn’t want to engage in this fight should not claim to be a Christian. Satan and his fallen angels, the wicked men and women working for Satan, and the false religious systems are all enemies of God and of His people. The faithful Christian believer will be under attack every day in some fashion and needs to realize this and not whine that life is tough. The faithful Christian believer needs to go on the attack against the schemes of the Devil and use the power given through the Holy Ghost/Spirit to win each battle that comes into his/her life. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
Verses 9-12 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.
The Greek word translated as “diligence” is “spoudazo” and it means to hasten, to make haste, and to exert one’s self. The Apostle Paul wanted Timothy to hurry and not delay.
Demas is written about in the books of Colossians and Philemon and was a companion and fellow-laborer of the Apostle Paul. When the going got hard, he abandoned his friend, possibly because he was afraid that he might experience the same persecution and death sentence that had been given to the Apostle Paul and he valued life in the world more than remaining true to the LORD Jesus Christ. Crescens is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture, but his name means “growing”. Titus was a Gentile christian companion and fellow-laborer who accompanied the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys. The book of Titus was written to this man who the Apostle Paul described as “mine own son after the common faith.” Mark was a cousin of the Apostle Barnabas and he also went on some of the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys. It was this Mark who, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, penned the Gospel of Mark. Luke was a Gentile Christian, a physician, and a companion to the Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys, and he wrote the books of Luke and Acts under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. God was good in that He left Luke, a physician, with the Apostle Paul to care for his physical needs while in prison awaiting execution. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:21 described Tychicus as “a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord”.
Verse 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
Again, it was cold in the dungeons of the Mamertine prison and the Apostle Paul’s last recorded request was for a cloke to warm himself. He had little comforts and having a way to stay warm meant a lot to him. Then he wanted the books which would have been Old Testament writings, and the parchments which would have been the New Testament writings. So his last request was for warmth for his body and the Word of God for his soul.
Application: How many true Bibles do you, the reader, possess? How much do you, the reader, value the Bible? If you were facing unjust execution by the ruling government, would your last request be to have a Bible in your hands? Think about it.
Verses 14-15 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.
Notice the prayer the Apostle Paul wrote regarding this man who was resisting or opposing the Apostle Paul and therefore, the LORD Jesus Christ. He simply wants the LORD to reward Alexander for what he has done which means certain judgement and punishment unless he repents. The Apostle Paul doesn’t want retribution or revenge, but leaves this man’s future in the hands of a just God.
There are several men called Alexander in the New Testament, but this writer has not found reference to a coppersmith or to his anti-Christ actions. But he was troublesome enough for the Apostle Paul to warn Timothy to avoid this man.
Verses 16-17 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.
The Apostle Paul was brought before Caesar Nero twice. He had been accused by the Jews, arrested, and held by both Felix and Festus. He then appealed to Caesar and was transported to Rome where he preached the Gospel to the household of Caesar resulting in many converts. “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.” Philippians 4:22 At his first trial before Nero, he was alone which probably was a good thing because the LORD Jesus Christ stood with him so that he was able to preach even at his trial.
Application: The Apostle Paul is a type of Christ. Like Jesus, he was brought before a ruler. Like Jesus, he was falsely accused of wrongdoing by the Jews. Like Jesus, he was abandoned by his friends. Like Jesus, he was sentenced to death. Like Jesus, his ministry was finished on Earth. Like Jesus, he was not afraid to physically die. Like Jesus, he was martyred for the Kingdom of God. And even though it was not witnessed, like Jesus he was transported to Heaven and is there right now waiting for time to be no more and for all the saints to be gathered as he was to the LORD Jesus Christ.
Paul would have known the story of the prophet Daniel in the lions’ den in Babylon and of his miraculous delivery. The lion that the Apostle Paul was delivered from would have been Satan. Satan is referred to as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour in 1 Peter 5:8. Even with all the persecution Satan brought into the Apostle Paul’s life, he was not able to stop the Apostle from finishing the course and keeping the faith. Satan was defeated in the Apostle Paul’s life.
Verse 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.
The Apostle Paul had the assurance that he would be delivered by the LORD even in and up to his execution because death was/is just a doorway into eternity and into the heavenly kingdom of God.
Verses 19-20 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Application: Debate has occurred regarding the fact that the Apostle Paul who healed people left a man sick at Miletum which was a maritime city about 35 miles from Ephesus. The assumption is that the Apostle Paul couldn’t heal this man. But the verse doesn’t say this. Healing doesn’t always happen instantly when the sick person is prayed for. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Notice that healing is the plural, gifts of healing. So there are many ways to heal. Since Scripture is silent as to the final condition of Trophimus, to build an assumption (a thing that is accepted as true without proof) that the Apostle Paul couldn’t heal this man and therefore not everyone gets healed is an irresponsible way to handle the Word of God. Plain and simple. Jesus is the example and Scripture says repeatedly that He healed all with the exception of the people of His home town who rejected Him.
Verses 21-22 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. (2 Timothy 4)
The Apostle Paul’s time on Earth was short and he wanted to see Timothy before he died and he wanted his cloak and the books and parchments one last time to comfort him in his final days. But while he was waiting for the script of his life to be completed, he wrote this epistle to guide Timothy and all Christian believers in their walk with Jesus.