2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4
2 Timothy 4
← chapter 3 Titus 1 →
	Fragments showing 1 Timothy 2:2–6 on Codex Coislinianus, from ca. AD 550.
Book	Second Epistle to Timothy
Category	Pauline epistles
Christian Bible part	New Testament
Order in the Christian part	16

Last updated November 28, 2022

2 Timothy 4 is the fourth (and the last) chapter of the Second Epistle to Timothy in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The letter is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, the last one written in Rome before his death (c. 64 or 67), addressed to Timothy.^[1]^[2] There are charges that it is the work of an anonymous follower, after Paul's death in the first century AD.^[3]^[4] This chapter contains intensely personal material, more than any other epistles, in relation to Paul's imminent death, ending with personal comments and salutations.^[5]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 22 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Codex Sinaiticus (AD 330–360)
Codex Alexandrinus (400–440)
Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (c. 450; complete)
Codex Freerianus (c. 450; extant verses 1, 8–10, 18–20)
Codex Claromontanus (c. 550)

Location

Ephesus

Rome

Corinth

Miletus

Troas

Thessalonica

GALATIA

DALMATIA

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Places mentioned in (red) and related to (blue) this chapter in the Mediterranean

Places mentioned in this chapter (with the related persons) are:

The Final Charge to Timothy (4:1–8)

Paul charges Timothy to step into Paul's place in the worldwide mission.^[6]

Verse 1

In 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:^[7]

In view of the imminent end of his life, Paul is expressing himself with the utmost solemnity three facts in his concluding charge: 'the reality of the judgment of Christ, the certainty of his return, and the establishment of his kingdom'.^[8]

Verse 2

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.^[9]

Timothy's commission is outlined with five imperative verbs (preach, be prepared, correct, rebuke, encourage) which will be described further in the following verses.^[6]

Final Instructions and Personal Information (4:9–18)

Here Paul mentions many individuals, friends and companions, as well as some personal requests for Timothy to do.^[10]

Verse 10

for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.^[11]

"Demas": was once one of Paul's close associates (mentioned together with Luke and Mark in Philemon 24 and Colossians 4:10 -14), but now has deserted Paul,^[12] perhaps because 'the going was too hard for him and the pull of the world too strong'; this is considered the saddest of all the brief notes.^[13]
"Crescens": only mentioned here.^[12]

Verse 11

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.^[14]

"Luke": The 'beloved physician' (Colossians 4:14) and the writer of the "Gospel of Luke" and "the Acts of the Apostles". He was Paul's faithful companion in his travels and sufferings.^[15]
"Get Mark, and bring him with you": who at that time might be at Ephesus, or somewhere along Timothy's way to Rome. Presumably the same John Mark of Jerusalem, the son of Mary (Acts 12:12), Barnabas' sister, who was with Paul and Barnabas in their first journey (Acts 12:25), and departed from them at Pamphylia, causing a great quarrel between Paul and Barnabas leading to their separation in ministry (Acts 15:37–39), but now Paul had a better opinion of him, and was apparently reconciled to him, that he wants his assistance as later noted in Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24.^[15]
"For he is helpful (NKJV; KJV: "profitable") to me for the ministry": to assist in preaching the Gospel.^[15]

Verse 12

And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.^[16]

"Tychicus": a friend of Paul, mentioned 5 times in the New Testament (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21–22; Colossians 4:7; Titus 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:12).^[12]

Verse 13

Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.^[17]

"Cloak": see Phelonion
"Carpus": only mentioned here.^[12]
"Troas": ancient Troy, a point of departure from Asia to Europe (Acts 16:8–12; 2 Corinthians 2:12–13).^[12]

Verse 14

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.^[18]

"Alexander the coppersmith" or "the metalworker" could be identified with the person in Acts 19:33 or in 1 Timothy 1:20, who at this point gave a hard opposition to Paul's message.^[13]

The Final Greetings (4:19–22)

This section mentions some familiar and some unfamiliar names, which may be known in the community, before closing it with a blessing modelled on the ones in Galatians 6:18, Philippians 4:23 and Philemon 25.^[19]

Verse 19

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.^[20]

Catholics regard this verse as an implication that Onesiphorus was already dead, as it is implied previously in 2 Timothy 1:16–18, since Paul directly greets Aquila and Priscilla (here shortened as "Prisca") and seems to give greeting to "the house of Onesiphorus" to comfort his family.^[21]

Verse 20

Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.^[22]

"Erastus": a city-treasurer of Corinth (Romans 16:23; cf. Acts 19:22).^[12]
"Trophimus": one of Paul's close friends during his missionary travels (Acts 20:4; 21:29).^[12]

Related Research Articles

Timothy or Timothy of Ephesus was an early Christian evangelist and the first Christian bishop of Ephesus, who tradition relates died around the year AD 97.

Trophimus or Trophimus the Ephesian was a Christian who accompanied Paul during a part of his third missionary journey. He was with Paul in Jerusalem, and the Jews, supposing that the apostle had brought him into the temple, raised a tumult which resulted in Paul's imprisonment.. In writing to Timothy, the apostle comments that he left Trophimus in Miletus due to illness. This must refer to some event not noticed in the Acts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seventy disciples</span> Early students of Jesus mentioned in the Gospel of Luke

The seventy disciples or seventy-two disciples, known in the Eastern Christian traditions as the seventy apostles or seventy-twoapostles, were early emissaries of Jesus mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. The correct Greek terminology is evdomikonta (εβδομήκοντα) apostoli or evdomikonta mathetes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crescens</span> Figure in New Testament

Crescens was an individual who appears in the New Testament. He is traditionally considered one of the 72 disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10. He was a missionary in Galatia and became a companion of Paul. The name 'Crescens' is the present-active participle of the Latin word crescere, and means 'increasing'.

Tychicus Τυχικός/was an Asiatic Christian who, with Trophimus, accompanied the Apostle Paul on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem. He is also alluded to have been with Paul in Rome, where the apostle sent him to Ephesus, probably for the purpose of building up and encouraging the church there. In the New Testament, he is mentioned five times.

Acts 14 is the fourteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas to Phrygia and Lycaonia. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

Acts 16 is the sixteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the second missionary journey of Paul, together with Silas and Timothy. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 18</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 18 is the eighteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the final part of the second missionary journey of Paul, together with Silas and Timothy, and the beginning of the third missionary journey. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 19</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 19 is the nineteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records part of the third missionary journey of Paul. The author of the book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

Acts 20 is the twentieth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the Christian New Testament of the Bible. It records the third missionary journey of Paul the Apostle. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

Acts 21 is the twenty-first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the end of Paul's third missionary journey and his arrival and reception in Jerusalem. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

Romans 16 is the sixteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while Paul was in Corinth in the mid 50s AD, with the help of a secretary (amanuensis), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22. Chapter 16 contains Paul's personal recommendation, personal greetings, final admonition, grace, greetings from companions, identification of writer/amanuensis and blessing. The chapter is divided into 27 verses.

1 Corinthians 16 is the sixteenth and final chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Sosthenes in Ephesus, composed between 52–55 CE, and sent to the church in Corinth. This chapter contains the closing statements of the letter, with Paul's travel plans, final instructions, and greetings. Verse 8 confirms that Paul was in Ephesus when the letter was composed, and verse 21 confirms that the majority of the letter was scribed by an amanuensis.

2 Corinthians 1 is the first chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Timothy in Macedonia in 55–56 CE.

Colossians 1 is the first chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus, although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome. This chapter contains the greeting, thanksgiving and prayer, followed by a "Christological Hymn" and the overall thesis of the letter.

Colossians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus, although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome. This chapter contains the final exhortations and greetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Thessalonians 1</span> Chapter of the New Testament

1 Thessalonians 1 is the first chapter of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, likely written in Corinth in about 50-51 AD for the church in Thessalonica. This chapter contains the prescript and Paul's thanksgiving for the church.

1 Timothy 1 is the first chapter of the First Epistle to Timothy in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author has been traditionally identified as Paul the Apostle since as early as AD 180, although most modern scholars consider the letter pseudepigraphical, perhaps written as late as the first half of the second century AD. This chapter contains the personal greeting (salutation), the exposition about the gospel and its counterfeit, Paul's personal experience of Christ and a charge as well as a warning to Timothy related to his call to the ministry.

2 Timothy 1 is the first chapter of the Second Epistle to Timothy in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The letter is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, the last one written in Rome before his death, addressed to Timothy. There are charges that it is the work of an anonymous follower, after Paul's death in the first century AD. This chapter contains an opening greeting, a personal story of Paul and Timothy, a description of the opponents they are facing.

Titus 3 is the third chapter of the Epistle to Titus in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The letter is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, sent from Nicopolis of Macedonia, addressed to Titus in Crete. There are charges that it is the work of an anonymous follower, after Paul's death in the first century AD. This chapter contains Paul's instruction for the church as a community with responsibilities in the public realm, towards the government and also towards individuals, concluded with some personal requests for Titus before the final benediction.

References

Citations

↑ May & Metzger 1977, pp. 1440, 1446–49.
↑ Murphy-O'Connor 1996, pp. 356–359.
↑ Just 2012.
↑ Drury 2007, p. 1220.
↑ Drury 2007, p. 1230.
1 2 Towner 2006, p. 600.
↑ 2 Timothy 4:1 NKJV
↑ Guthrie 1994, p. 1309.
↑ 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV
↑ Drury 2007, pp. 1230–1231.
↑ 2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Coogan 2007, p. 361 New Testament.
1 2 Guthrie 1994, p. 1310.
↑ 2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV
1 2 3 Gill, John. "2 Timothy 4:11 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". Bible Study Tools. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
↑ 2 Timothy 4:12 NKJV
↑ 2 Timothy 4:13 NKJV
↑ 2 Timothy 4:14 NKJV
↑ Drury 2007, p. 1231.
↑ 2 Timothy 4:19 NKJV
↑ Toner 1908
↑ 2 Timothy 4:20 NKJV

Sources

Guthrie, Donald (1994). "The Pastoral Letters". In Carson, D. A.; France, R. T.; Motyer, J. A.; Wenham, G. J. (eds.). New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition (4, illustrated, reprint, revised ed.). Inter-Varsity Press. pp. 1292–1315. ISBN 9780851106489.
Coogan, Michael David (2007). Coogan, Michael David; Brettler, Marc Zvi; Newsom, Carol Ann; Perkins, Pheme (eds.). The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 (Augmented 3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195288810.
Drury, Clare (2007). "Ch. 73: The Pastoral Epistles". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1220–1233. ISBN 978-0199277186.
Just, Felix (February 17, 2012). "The Deutero-Pauline Letters". catholic-resources.org. Retrieved 2019-10-22.

May, Herbert G.; Metzger, Bruce M. (1977). The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha .

Murphy-O'Connor, Jerome (1996). Paul: A Critical Life. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Toner, Patrick Joseph (1908). "Prayers for the Dead". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia . Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

Towner, Philip H. (2006). Bruce, Frederick Fyvie (ed.). The Letters to Timothy and Titus. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Wm. B. Eerdmans. ISBN 9780802825131.

External links

2 Timothy 4 King James Bible - Wikisource
English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate
Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)

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Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[FOOTNOTEMayMetzger19771440,_1446–49-1] May & Metzger 1977, pp. 1440, 1446–49.

[FOOTNOTEMurphy-O'Connor1996356–359-2] Murphy-O'Connor 1996, pp. 356–359.

[FOOTNOTEJust2012-3] Just 2012.

[FOOTNOTEDrury20071220-4] Drury 2007, p. 1220.

[FOOTNOTEDrury20071230-5] Drury 2007, p. 1230.

[FOOTNOTETowner2006600-6] 1 2 Towner 2006, p. 600.

[7] 2 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

[FOOTNOTEGuthrie19941309-8] Guthrie 1994, p. 1309.

[9] 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

[FOOTNOTEDrury20071230–1231-10] Drury 2007, pp. 1230–1231.

[11] 2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV

[FOOTNOTECoogan2007361_New_Testament-12] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Coogan 2007, p. 361 New Testament.

[FOOTNOTEGuthrie19941310-13] 1 2 Guthrie 1994, p. 1310.

[14] 2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV

[JGill_2_Timothy_4:11-15] 1 2 3 Gill, John. "2 Timothy 4:11 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". Bible Study Tools. Retrieved 22 October 2019.

[16] 2 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

[17] 2 Timothy 4:13 NKJV

[18] 2 Timothy 4:14 NKJV

[FOOTNOTEDrury20071231-19] Drury 2007, p. 1231.

[20] 2 Timothy 4:19 NKJV

[21] Toner 1908

[22] 2 Timothy 4:20 NKJV

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