2 Timothy 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;
(2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(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;
(4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
(5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
(6)  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
(7)  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.
(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.
(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.
(13)  The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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. 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.

Previous Chapter

Home

Study Questions

read more

1. In view of the last four verses of the previous chapter, what is Paul’s reason for giving this solemn charge? Who are “the quick” and who are “the dead”? Verse 1.

2. What will be the occasion of the judgment? Verse 1.

3. What is meant by “in season, out of season”? What is the meaning of these words: reprove, rebuke, exhort? Verse 2.

4. What is the reason for Paul’s charge for urgency in preaching the word? Who has “itching ears”? Why do some have “itching ears”? What is to be done about it? Verse 3.

5. What will happen when men have “itching ears” and “heap to themselves teachers”? Verse 4.

6. What three things are included in watching (or being sober) in all things? Name three things you believe to be the work of an evangelist. Verse 5.

7. What two figures does Paul use to describe his feelings about his imminent death? Verse 6.

8. Did Paul say he had won every battle, taken first place in every race, and been the champion of the faith? What did he say? Verse 7.

9. What will happen to him and to all who follow his example? When will Paul receive a crown of righteousness? Verse 8.

10. Does Paul say what will happen to those who give up the battle, quit the race, and fall away from the faith? Do you think they will be given a crown? Verse 8.

11. What could have been the reason for Paul’s request for Timothy to come to him? Why was it such an urgent matter? Verse 9.

12. What is wrong with love for the present world? Does anybody know why Demas went to Thessalonica? Are Crescens and Titus mentioned unfavorably? Verse 10.

13. How do we understand the phrase “only Luke is with me”? Has Paul changed his mind about Mark? Verse 11. (See verse 21)

14. What do we know about Tychicus? Verse 12. (See Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, Titus 3:12, and Acts 20:5)

15. Why would Paul want his cloak? Why did he request books and parchments? Verse 13.

16. What could possibly be Paul’s reason for mentioning Alexander the coppersmith at this time? Verse 14.

17. Why warn Timothy about Alexander? Verse 15.

18. At this point in time, was it dangerous to be a friend to Paul? If so, why? What is Paul’s attitude toward those who were weak and who forsook him? Verse 16.

19. Who did stand with Paul? Should we take it that Paul expected to be cast to the lions literally or in some other way? Verse 17.

20. Does Paul mean that the Lord will save him from death? What is different about Paul’s doxology in this verse? Verse 18.

21. What was Prisca and Aquila’s relationship to Ephesus (where Timothy was at this writing)? Paul mentions his house but where was Onesiphorus? Verse 19.

22. What did Erastus do before settling at Corinth? What may we conclude from the fact that Paul had ability to heal but left Trophimus at Miletus sick? Verse 20.

23. Why was it necessary to “come before winter”? What do we know about those mentioned as sending greetings to Timothy? Verse 21.

24. What is unique about Paul’s final salutation? Verse 22.