2 Timothy
Chapter 4
In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and with the hope I have in his coming and his kingdom, I urge you
to preach the word in season and out of season, reproof, rebuke, or exhort, with patience and instruction.
For the time will come when people will no longer tolerate sound doctrine but, following their passions, will gather teachers to suit their itching ears.
And they will abandon the truth and turn to myths.
As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, devote yourself fully to your ministry as an evangelist.
Final Recommendations and Greetings
As for me, I am already poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day— and not only me but also all who have eagerly anticipated his appearance.
Do your best to come to me soon.
You must know that Demas has abandoned me because he loved this world; he went back to Thessalonica. Crescens has traveled to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Only Luke remains with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is a helpful aid in my work.
I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
When you come, bring the cloak I left at Troas, at Carpus’ house, along with the scrolls, especially the parchments.
Alexander, the metalworker, did me great harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
You too be on guard against him, because he has strongly opposed our message.
At my first court appearance, no one supported me; all deserted me. May God not hold it against them.
But the Lord was with me and gave me the strength to fully preach the message, so that all the Gentiles could hear it. I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to the family of Onesiphorus.
Erastus remained in Corinth, while I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
Try to come here before the winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters send you greetings.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you.
Commentaries
Servant of the Word of God.
The final advice Timothy receives from the letter’s author, delivered as if from Paul, centers on Sacred Scripture. The “testamentary” nature of the letter reaches its highest point here. With God and Jesus Christ as witnesses and with the end of history as his horizon, the Apostle earnestly urges Timothy that “now” is the moment to proclaim the Word of God. A series of imperatives conveys the urgency and importance of preaching: proclaim, convince, rebuke, exhort, watch, endure trials, do the work, fulfill your ministry. Never has the calling and primary mission of the ordained ministry—bishops, priests, deacons—been clearer: to be servants of the Word of God. And in communion with those leading the Church, the mission and vocation of all believers are also emphasized.
Final Recommendations and Greetings.
At the end of his testament, Paul sees himself clearly as a servant of the Word who faces the certainty of his final departure. The Apostle’s imminent and violent death, like his entire apostolic life dedicated to the Gospel, has the character of a liturgical sacrifice, a libation (6). His departure will be like raising anchor. He is an athlete who has competed to the finish and now prepares to receive the crown of victory (1 Cor 9:25). In this competition, it is not just one person who is crowned, but all who run with unwavering hope.