The Bible — World English Bible
2 Timothy 4
In brief
2 Timothy 4 is the apostle Paul's testament, written from prison shortly before his death. He solemnly charges Timothy to preach the Word, even when it is unwelcome, then looks at his own end with peace: he has fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith. The end of the chapter is very human: Paul has been deserted by several, asks for his books and his cloak, yet affirms that the Lord stood by him and will rescue him.
The chapter in 5 parts
1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts,
4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.
5But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
8From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
9Be diligent to come to me soon,
10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
12But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.
14Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
15of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
16At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Key verses
preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
Paul asks Timothy to preach the Word with persistence, patience and teaching. The urgency applies to easy moments as well as hard ones.
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
Paul sums up his life in three images: a fight, a race, a faith kept. He expects the crown of righteousness that the Lord will give, to him and to all who have loved his appearing.
for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.
Paul notes without bitterness that Demas has left him out of love for the present world. The verse reminds us that perseverance in the faith is not automatic.
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
When no one stood with him, Paul affirms that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him. The strength he receives allows him to complete his mission to the end.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
Characters in this chapter
Pray about this
What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about 2 Timothy 4
What does “I have fought the good fight” mean in 2 Timothy 4:7?
Paul looks back on his life at the end of the road. The good fight is not a battle against people but a faithful commitment to the gospel despite trials. He also speaks of a finished course and a kept faith. He does not boast: he notes that he held on to the end by God's grace, and he encourages Timothy to do the same.
What does “preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season” mean?
Paul asks Timothy to remain faithful to Scripture, whether the audience is receptive or not. He says how: by reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all patience and teaching. He then announces a time when people will prefer to hear what flatters them. For an ordinary Christian, this can be lived out in witness and teaching around them, not only from a pulpit.
What is the crown of righteousness Paul speaks of?
It is the reward that the Lord, the righteous judge, will give on the day of his return. Paul makes clear that it is not reserved for him alone but for all who have loved his appearing. Christians understand it as the full recognition of their faithfulness, received by grace and not as a wage that was earned.
Articles quoting 2 Timothy 4
- 20 Bible Verses for a Christian Funeral in Japan: Hope and Comfort for the Bereaved
- 20 Bible Verses for Retirement: Rest, Purpose and a New Season
- 2 Corinthians 4: Fixing Your Eyes on What Is Unseen
- Acts 28: Paul Needed Brothers at His Side
- What Will Your End Be? You Are Building It Today
- 2 Timothy 1: Guard the Good Deposit of the Gospel
World English Bible translation — public domain.