2 Timothy 4

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)

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]