2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4:1

Most pastors evidently thinking that the day of Bible study has long since come and gone, only 3 percent of evangelical, fundamental churches in America have midweek Bible studies. As sad as this is, it should come as no surprise, for Paul told Timothy that in the end times, people would not have a desire for sound doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:5

The Greek word translated “departure” is a great one. It can refer to the taking up of an anchor, the unyoking of an ox, or the folding of a tent. Thus, in using this word, Paul is saying, “I’m ready to take up the anchor and sail into heaven. I’ve been plowing long enough on earth. It’s time to move on!”

2 Timothy 4:7

If you are one who says, “I love life. God has been good to me. But I know I’m only a pilgrim because I’m headed for heaven and looking for His coming,“you are guaranteed a crown of righteousness, which will determine your ministry in the ages to come. According to Luke 12, Jesus will actually serve a meal to those who are watching for His coming. What a day that will be! Oh, but I’ve blown it so badly. There’s no way the Lord would serve me, you might be thinking. Ask Peter about that. After denying the Lord, he went back to his old occupation of fishing. But even when he was out at sea and out to lunch, when he saw Jesus on the beach, he swam to shore, wanting to be with Him. And what did Jesus do? He served Peter a meal (Joh_21:12)just as He had promised.

2 Timothy 4:9

In his letter to Philemon, Paul referred to Demas as his fellow labourer (Phm_1:24). A few years later in his letter to the Colossians, Paul would say, “Demas greets you” (see Col_4:14). Having gone from being a fellow labourer to simply one who said, “Hi,” here in 2 Timothy, we read that Demas had forsaken Paul altogether. There exists the very real possibility of slowly drifting away from the Lord even by those who are at one time used by Him. It happened to Demas. Don’t let it happen to you. How? Read on. Don’t get caught up in the entertainment, the distractions, the baubles, or the frivolity of the worldfor such will only distract and pull you away from serving the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:11

Mark is John Markthe one who Barnabas wanted to bring on Paul’s second missionary journey, but whom Paul refused due to the fact that John Mark had bailed out on their first missionary journey. After having “no small dispute” concerning John Mark (Acts 15), Paul and Barnabas split company. Barnabas, whose name means “son of consolation,” continued on, focusing on the rehabilitation of his nephew, John Mark. Paul, on the other hand, focused on the work at hand, replacing Barnabas with Silas. Who was rightPaul who said, “The work is too important to take a risk on someone who might turn away,” or Barnabas who said, “We need to work with anyone who shows even a little potential”? They both were. There are those who have a vision and passion for the work at large, and there are those who have a heart for each individual. And although these two groups will not always see eye to eye, both are needed. Here, at the end of his life, Paul sends for John Mark, for evidently Barnabas had indeed accomplished a good work in him.

2 Timothy 4:12

“The books,” or biblion, could very well refer to the Gospels. “Bring me the Gospels,” Paul said. “My days are limited here. Final exams are coming up!” You’ll know what a man’s passion is by what he does when he doesn’t have to do anything. Paul didn’t have to do anything. He had no teaching to prepare, no sermon to outline. Yet he said, “Even though the hour is come to hoist up the anchor, to take off the yoke, to fold up the tent, I want to know more about Jesus.” The Greek word translated “especially” meaning “also” and parchments most likely referring to the Old Testament scrolls, Paul was requesting the Old Testament as well as the Gospels.

2 Timothy 4:14

All of us will have an Alexander the coppersmith or two in our livespeople who are just out to get us. Notice that of Alexander, Paul did not fret and fume, saying, “Get him, Lord.” Rather, he simply said, “I know the Lord will deal justly with him.”

2 Timothy 4:15

In accordance with Mat_5:44, Paul prayed, “Lord, forgive those who didn’t have the courage to stand by me or to stay with me.”

2 Timothy 4:17

Forsaken by many, Paul said it was when he was alone that he had an awareness of the Lord’s presence. How often that is the case. It’s when we feel let down by a friend who ignores us, disheartened by an illness that strikes us, or abandoned when a loved ones leaves us that the Lord becomes most real to us. Over and over again, I have found that when I felt most alone, the Lord became most real. You have found the same to be true, for when there are people around us, we have a tendency to rely on them. But when we’re alone, we find ourselves walking with the Lord in ways we wouldn’t have otherwise. Even in prison, Paul continued to preach. How? Through the epistles he wrote and through the conversations he shared with his jailers. Some believe Paul was placed in the coliseum before he was beheaded, and a miracle took place when, like Daniel, he was delivered from the mouth of the lion. Others believe this reference is to Satan, who walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1Pe_5:8). But whether Paul was referring to an actual lion or to Satan, the fact is, God came through. God delivered him.

2 Timothy 4:18

Some have suggested that Paul thought he was so close to the time of the Rapture that he would be delivered from being beheaded by Nero. Whether or not that be so, Paul knew that one way or the other, he would soon be in the presence of the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:19

Concerning Trophimus, Paul didn’t say, “Why are you sick? Where’s your faith?” No, some were healed when Paul prayed for them; some weren’t. Trophimus was one who wasn’t. Those who say God wants everyone healed immediately have not read this verse.

2 Timothy 4:21

As we come to the end of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we come as well to the last of Paul’s recorded words. His final utterance was, “Timothy, after all is said about the end times in which you’ll be living and the challenge of the ministry you’re undertakingeverything is summed up in one word: Grace. And that’s the word for us as well.