Paul’s final charge is given before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom. Timothy is to preach the word urgently. Paul himself has fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. The crown of righteousness is stored up for him and for all who have loved the appearing.
1 I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables. 5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
9 Be diligent to come to me soon, 10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him, for he greatly opposed our words.
16 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Source: ebible.org
The charge is given before God and Christ Jesus, who will judge at his appearing and Kingdom. Timothy is to preach the word urgently, in season and out of season, with reproof, rebuke, and exhortation. The time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine but will accumulate teachers to suit their own desires and turn to fables. Timothy is to remain sober, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill his ministry.
Paul is already being poured out. The time of departure has come. He has fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. The crown of righteousness is stored up for him, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award on that day — and not only to him but to all who have loved his appearing. The appearing is the shared horizon of hope.
Practical requests follow: come soon, bring Mark, the cloak, the books and parchments. Some have left; the Lord stood by Paul at his first defense so that the message might be fully proclaimed. The Lord will deliver him from every evil work and preserve him for his heavenly Kingdom. Greetings are sent and requested. The final word is grace.
The course has been finished by the apostle. The appearing has taken place in the judgment that ended the old age. The crown remains for those who have loved his appearing. We live as those who have received the same grace, called to fulfill the ministry entrusted to us in the finished work.
What would it mean for you to be able to say, with settled confidence, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith”?