1I charge you 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:
2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
4So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8From now on there is laid up 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 to all who crave His appearing.
9Make every effort to come to me quickly,
10because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and 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 useful to me in the ministry.
12Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
15You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.
16At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
18And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, as well as the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.
21Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
2 Timothy 4 Verse Notes
2 Tim 4:6-8
2 Timothy presents Paul's farewell and anticipation of martyrdom
Second Timothy is presented as Paul's final testament, written from prison in Rome as he anticipates execution. The letter expresses Paul's satisfaction with his life and confidence in receiving a 'crown of righteousness' on the day of judgment, serving as a powerful reflection on martyrdom and Christian legacy.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 23: In Paul’s Name | More Disputed Letters (...and Hebrews ?) · watch the clip
2 Tim 4:7
Paul's use of 'agon motif' and pursuit language
Paul frequently employs contest or sports metaphors, known as the 'agon motif,' in his letters, speaking of 'winning the race' or 'running to the end.' The word 'pursue' (dioon) is also found in this context, referring to the pursuit of a goal. This suggests that Paul's 'pursuit' of Christians might have been framed within a competitive, ideological struggle rather than physical violence.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Did Paul Really Persecute Christians? · watch the clip
2 Tim 4:11
Luke, the beloved physician, as Paul's companion
The tradition identifying the author as Luke, the Gentile physician, stems from references in Paul's letters. Colossians 4:14 mentions 'Luke, the beloved physician,' who is not among the circumcised, suggesting he was a Gentile and a companion of Paul. This figure is also mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24.
Summarized by AI · The Genius of the Acts of the Apostles · Lecture 8: The Author of Acts | Who and When? · watch the clip
Luke's connection to Paul and medical language
The 'we' passages in Acts suggest the author was a companion of Paul. Paul's epistles mention Luke as a coworker (Philemon 24), 'the beloved physician' (Colossians 4:14), and being with Paul at the end of his life (2 Timothy 4:11). Furthermore, Luke's Gospel contains physician-friendly details, such as the proverb 'physician heal yourself' (Luke 4:23), specific anatomical details (Luke 6:6, 22:50), and a softened account of the woman with a hemorrhage (Luke 8:43-44 vs. Mark 5:26), which could have led to the inference of Luke the physician as the author.
Summarized by AI · The Mysteries of the Synoptic Gospels: Discovering Matthew, Mark, and Luke · Lecture 11: Who Wrote the Synoptic Gospels? · watch the clip
Luke's Authorship Linked to Paul's Companion
The author of Luke-Acts is identified as a companion of Paul due to the 'we' passages in Acts. Since Paul's letters name Luke as a companion (e.g., Colossians, 2 Timothy), early Christians likely speculated that Luke was the anonymous author of these texts, attributing the gospel to him.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 14: The Fourfold Gospel | Untangling Truth and Tradition · watch the clip
2 Tim 4:13
Paul's Request for a Cloak in 2 Timothy
In 2 Timothy, Paul requests that Timothy bring him a cloak or mantle that he left with Carpus at Troas. This detail is a specific instruction within the letter, highlighting a practical need of the apostle.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Are We Missing a Gospel? Unpacking the Q Source Debate · watch the clip
Forgers' Use of Verisimilitudes
Forgers often included 'verisimilitudes', statements that appear similar to what the claimed author would write, to make their work seem authentic. An example is in 2 Timothy, where the author, claiming to be Paul, asks Timothy to bring his coat and parchments, a detail that seems too mundane for a forger to invent, thus lending credibility.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Faking It: Is the Bible Full of Forgeries? · watch the clip
