2 Timothy 4
1In 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: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For 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. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now 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.
Personal Remarks
9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But 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. 18The 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.
Final Greetings
19Greet Priscilla[a] and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Footnotes:
[a] 2 Timothy 4:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
3 comments:
2 Tim 4
Pretty amazing stuff we have all read before, but it never gets old.
NLT: 6As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.
Paul goes on to pray for those who abandonded him and that it would not be held against them. My topgun group did Acts 7 the other day, how many of us would be praying for our transgressor like Paul or Stephen did in
Acts 7
59And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60And he fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died.
Father, teach us how to pour out our lives as an offering to you and others. Give us the spirit of Paul and Stephen to respond gently to those who oppose us. Father especially lift up baby Chloe today. Heal her eye and give the doctors a clear understanding of what her condition is Father.
In Christ,
cas
2 Tim 4:
I am once again intranced by Paul's charge to Tim in vs2-5.
2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
This points out two things to me first that we should continue our disciplined study, while there is certainly more traditional seasons for outreach, the Enemy's outreach program generally runs year round. Also, encouraging and correcting with great instruction fits with ER's commments from 2 Tim 2.
5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
So much easier said than done sometimes, especially when the enemy presses you through coworkers at work, but we must keep our head. Also Paul again brings up enduring hardship, as he mentions in the previous chapter that we WILL suffer as believers.
Father, lift up these men today, as well as Chloe and Allyson. Give them the strength and courage, but mostly give them comfort. Guide us today to keep our heads, and stay in prayer throughout the day. We ask these things in Jesus' name,
Amen
crb
maybe it's just me....but i sense a more "rushed" and "troubled" paul here as he states all those who have deserted him and he tells, almost warns, to get there before winter. again, maybe just my read.
also, why is it that so many people are deserting Paul? i find that curious.
I like the confidence he has in knowing that he is heading to heaven!
lastly...personal thing here...sheree and i are booking a church for our wedding and finding that the church we want to use is not allowing us...they claim that since arent members we cant use the church along with scheduling issues...i am REALLY trying to not get frustrated and be open to their operational headaches of opening a church for a wedding, but man, it just seems like a church should be WELCOMING people, especially to a wedding where the Gospel can be preached to so many non believers! sorry, i am venting a bit! anyway, i just thought that was an interesting tidbit to share with you guys.
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