The Second to Timothy 4:1-22

  • “Fully accomplish your ministry” (1-5)

    • Preach the word urgently (2)

  • “I have fought the fine fight” (6-8)

  • Personal remarks (9-18)

  • Final greetings (19-22)

4  I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge+ the living and the dead,+ and by his manifestation+ and his Kingdom:+  Preach the word;+ be at it urgently in favorable times and difficult times; reprove,+ reprimand, exhort, with all patience and art of teaching.+  For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome* teaching,+ but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled.*+  They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories.  You, though, keep your senses in all things, endure hardship,+ do the work of an evangelizer,* fully accomplish your ministry.+  For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,+ and the time for my releasing+ is imminent.  I have fought the fine fight,+ I have run the race to the finish,+ I have observed the faith.  From this time on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness,+ which the Lord, the righteous judge,+ will give me as a reward in that day,+ yet not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his manifestation.  Do your utmost to come to me shortly. 10  For Deʹmas+ has forsaken me because he loved the present system of things,* and he has gone to Thes·sa·lo·niʹca, Cresʹcens to Ga·laʹti·a, Titus to Dal·maʹtia. 11  Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark along with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry. 12  But I have sent Tychʹi·cus+ off to Ephʹe·sus. 13  When you come, bring the cloak I left at Troʹas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments.* 14  Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. Jehovah* will repay him according to his deeds.+ 15  You too should be on guard against him, for he opposed our message to an excessive degree. 16  In my first defense no one came to my side, but they all forsook me—may they not be held accountable. 17  But the Lord stood near me and infused power into me, so that through me the preaching might be fully accomplished and all the nations might hear it;+ and I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.+ 18  The Lord will rescue me from every wicked work and will save me for his heavenly Kingdom.+ To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 19  Give my greetings to Prisʹca and Aqʹui·la+ and the household of On·e·siphʹo·rus.+ 20  E·rasʹtus+ stayed in Corinth, but I left Trophʹi·mus+ sick at Mi·leʹtus. 21  Do your utmost to arrive before winter. Eu·buʹlus sends you his greetings, and so do Puʹdens and Liʹnus and Clauʹdi·a and all the brothers. 22  The Lord be with the spirit you show. His undeserved kindness be with you.

Footnotes

Or “healthful; beneficial.”
Or “to tell them what they want to hear.”
Or “keep preaching the good news.”
Or “present age.” See Glossary.
That is, the leather scrolls.