2 Timothy 4:1-22

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:  2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction.  3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.  6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8 Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.  9 Do your best to come to me quickly,  10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.  11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.  12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.  13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.  14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.  15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.  16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.  17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.  18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.  20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.  21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.  22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.”

Chapter four Paul states “I solemnly charge you.” Those are heavy words meaning “take this seriously.”

Timothy is to take serious that he will be judged by his preaching the message… even if it is troublesome to do so. A time would come when people caught up in the world wold not listen to God truth. I take it Paul thinks it will be in Timothy’s life (or perhaps for those Timothy teaches) when people will not listen to the true word of God.

Paul knows his days are numbered. He knows with his death others will move in to fill the void of his earthly presence. Nevertheless, Paul tells Timothy his authority is in the Word of God. He is to abide in nothing other than the Word. He is to tell others to do the same.

Therefore, those who seek a pleasure filled lifestyle will follow false teachings. Those that long for the appearing of Jesus will follow God’s Word as passed on to all through the apostles such as Paul.

What about you?

BMD