2 Timothy Chapter 4
Paul’s Final Testimony to Timothy
A. Paul’s solemn charge (2 Timothy 4:1–2)
(2 Timothy 4:1) A solemn charge to Timothy
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”
— 2 Timothy 4:1, NKJV
Paul used the strongest language possible. The Greek term diamarturomai refers to a legal summons or a sworn testimony before a court. This is no casual encouragement—it is a divine mandate. The apostle stood, not before a human tribunal, but “before God and the Lord Jesus Christ”—a reminder that ministry accountability is ultimately to heaven’s Judge, not man.
Paul reminded Timothy of Christ’s dual authority:
“Who will judge the living and the dead” — This speaks to the universal scope of Christ’s judgment. He is the Judge of all men, whether alive or dead, saved or unsaved. His authority encompasses the entire human timeline.
“At His appearing and His kingdom” — Paul referenced Christ’s Second Coming (“His appearing”) and the establishment of His millennial reign (“His kingdom”). Even as Paul faced execution, he still affirmed his unwavering belief in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, a truth that shaped his life and ministry.
This echoes Acts 10:42:
“And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.”
And also Romans 14:10b, 12:
“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ… So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Timothy was to live and minister with the eternal perspective of standing before Jesus Christ at His appearing, where faithfulness will be rewarded and compromise exposed.
(2 Timothy 4:2) The content of the charge: Preach the Word
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
— 2 Timothy 4:2, NKJV
The Greek verb translated “preach” is kerusso, meaning “to herald or proclaim openly.” This is not simply teaching or explaining; it’s a bold, public declaration of divine truth with authority and urgency.
Paul didn’t tell Timothy to preach his opinions, clever ideas, or trendy philosophies. He commanded him to “preach the word”—the inspired, inerrant, and profitable Word of God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Be ready in season and out of season — Timothy was to always be prepared, regardless of circumstances. Whether it was popular or not, convenient or not, comfortable or not, he was to preach faithfully.
This reflects 1 Peter 3:15:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
Convince — Greek: elegcho (ἐλέγχω), meaning to reprove or expose error. This addresses the mind, calling people to correct thinking through the truth.
Rebuke — Greek: epitimao (ἐπιτιμάω), meaning to sternly warn or confront sin. This addresses the conscience, urging repentance.
Exhort — Greek: parakaleo (παρακαλέω), meaning to encourage and come alongside. This addresses the heart, urging perseverance.
With all longsuffering and teaching — A faithful preacher must combine urgency with patience. Longsuffering is essential because change in people is slow and often resisted. Teaching ensures the exhortation is grounded in sound doctrine, not emotional manipulation.
This command echoes the entire tone of Paul’s charge to Timothy in prior chapters:
2 Timothy 1:13–14 —
“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.”2 Timothy 2:15 —
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”2 Timothy 3:16–17 —
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Summary Application:
Paul’s final words are not sentimental reflections, but a battlefield commission. Timothy was to carry the torch of gospel proclamation without compromise, regardless of the pressure or cost. With eternity in view, he must preach the Word—clearly, faithfully, and boldly—because he will give account to the returning King.
3. The Need for the True Preaching of the Word
2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NKJV)
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
After commanding Timothy to “Preach the word”, Paul gives the reason: the time is coming—and indeed had already begun—when people would reject sound doctrine and crave ear-tickling sermons tailored to their lusts rather than their sanctification.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…”
The Greek word for “endure” (anechomai) means to tolerate or put up with. The phrase sound doctrine (Greek: hugiainō, meaning healthy or wholesome teaching) is something they will eventually no longer tolerate. Instead of desiring truth that convicts, corrects, and sanctifies, people will crave messages that affirm their desires.
As Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 30:10:
“Who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.’”
— Isaiah 30:10, NKJV
And as Amos warned:
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”
— Amos 8:11, NKJV
“…but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers…”
This is the essence of apostasy: people no longer want God’s Word—they want someone who will affirm their desires, lusts, and agendas. The phrase “itching ears” (Greek: knēthō) refers to an eager craving for novelty, for entertaining, flattering, self-centered teaching.
As Clarke noted:
“Endless curiosity, an insatiable desire for variety; and they get their ears tickled with the language and accent of the person, abandoning the good and faithful preacher for the fine speaker.”
This results in a market-driven faith, where people accumulate preachers who say what they want to hear, much like the false prophets in Jeremiah 5:31:
“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?”
— Jeremiah 5:31, NKJV
“…and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
The rejection of sound doctrine always leads to mythology—unfounded, deceptive religious fantasies. The Greek word for “fables” is muthos, meaning fabricated stories or legends.
When the heart turns from truth, it doesn’t turn to neutrality—it turns to deception.
Examples of modern fables include:
The fable that you must earn your way into God’s favor.
The fable that God only loves you when you perform.
The fable that all religions lead to God.
The fable that humanity is inherently good and progressing morally.
The fable of evolution, as taught in naturalistic Big Bang cosmology—“Everything came from nothing, for no reason, by chance.”
This is exactly what Paul warned in Romans 1:25:
“Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
— Romans 1:25, NKJV
4. The Testimony Restated: Fulfill Your Ministry
2 Timothy 4:5 (NKJV)
“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Paul again draws a stark contrast with the deceived masses by addressing Timothy directly: “But you…”. This echoes earlier contrasts:
2 Timothy 3:10 — “But you have carefully followed my doctrine…”
2 Timothy 3:14 — “But you must continue in the things which you have learned…”
Timothy was to stand firm, no matter how many abandoned the truth.
“Be watchful in all things…”
The word “watchful” (Greek: nēphe) means to be sober-minded, alert, discerning, and self-controlled. In a world drunk on deception, the man of God must stay awake.
As Jesus warned in Mark 13:37:
“And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
— Mark 13:37, NKJV
And Paul to the Thessalonians:
“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:6, NKJV
“Endure afflictions…”
Ministry is marked by suffering. Whether through persecution, criticism, loneliness, or spiritual warfare, the servant of God must persevere.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:11–12:
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…”
— Matthew 5:11–12, NKJV
And Paul in Romans 8:18:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
— Romans 8:18, NKJV
“Do the work of an evangelist…”
Timothy may not have had the specific gift of evangelism, but he was still responsible to proclaim the gospel. The message of salvation in Christ must always remain central to any true ministry.
As Paul told the Corinthians:
“Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
— 1 Corinthians 9:16b, NKJV
“Fulfill your ministry.”
Paul ends with a comprehensive exhortation: Finish your task. Do everything God has called you to do. Don’t hold back. Don’t coast. Don’t quit.
As Paul would later say of himself:
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
— Acts 20:24, NKJV
And to Archippus:
“And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.’”
— Colossians 4:17, NKJV
Summary
In verses 3–4, Paul prophesied a time of mass rejection of truth and widespread deception.
In verse 5, Paul called Timothy to watchfulness, suffering, gospel preaching, and perseverance.
In contrast to the drifting masses, Timothy must be an anchor—rooted in God’s Word and resolved in his calling.
B. The Final Words from Paul: His Triumphant Confidence
1. Paul’s Triumphant Confidence
2 Timothy 4:6–7 (NKJV)
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
As Paul draws his final letter to a close, he does not focus on fear, regret, or self-pity. Instead, we see a man radiant with hope and confidence. Though abandoned by many and confined to a Roman dungeon, Paul knew the truth: his race was almost over, and his reward was near.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering…”
The term “poured out” comes from the Greek spendomai, a verb used to describe the act of offering a libation—a drink offering—poured out in sacrificial worship. Paul viewed his impending martyrdom not as a tragedy, but as a final offering to God, a life entirely spent in service.
This metaphor echoes Genesis 35:14, where Jacob “set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it.”
And in the Law:
“As the one lamb he shall offer it as a grain offering and as a drink offering, as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.”
— Numbers 28:7, NKJV
Paul had used the same imagery earlier:
“Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
— Philippians 2:17, NKJV
This was total surrender—a life emptied for Christ, not wasted.
“…and the time of my departure is at hand.”
The word “departure” (analusis) carries the idea of loosing a ship from its moorings or striking camp—Paul saw his death as a release, not a loss. He was not ending his life, he was departing to be with Christ, exactly as he had desired:
“For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”
— Philippians 1:23, NKJV
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
This is Paul’s personal assessment of a life lived faithfully to the end. These three phrases are retrospective, but full of joy.
“I have fought the good fight” — Paul’s life was a spiritual battle, not a leisurely walk. The Greek word implies agonizing struggle (agonizomai). He had contended with false teachers, Roman authorities, the Jews, pagan culture, and demonic opposition.
“I have finished the race” — Paul had not quit. He hadn’t taken a shortcut. He had run to the finish line, echoing his past words:
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy…”
— Acts 20:24, NKJV“I have kept the faith” — Paul guarded the gospel as a sacred trust. He didn’t alter it, dilute it, or compromise. This is the charge he gave to Timothy:
“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me…”
— 2 Timothy 1:13, NKJV
2. Paul’s Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul’s confidence rested not only in what he had done, but in what Christ would do—reward him. This verse encapsulates both hope and inheritance for the believer.
“There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness…”
The word “crown” here is stephanos—a victor’s crown, not a royal diadem. It was the garland given to winning athletes at the end of a contest.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul said:
“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”
This crown of righteousness is not earned by works, but given by grace to those whose lives are marked by faithfulness. It is the crown that testifies to a life lived in light of Christ’s return, a life walking in obedience and expectation.
“…which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day…”
Paul now stands before two judges—the Roman executioner and the Lord Jesus Christ. One would sentence him to death; the other would crown him with eternal reward.
And Paul knew that Christ is the righteous Judge—unlike Nero or the world’s courts. He would not forget Paul’s labors. This “Day” refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body…”
— 2 Corinthians 5:10, NKJV
“…and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
This is a universal promise. The same crown awaits anyone who eagerly anticipates Christ’s return. Those who live with heaven in view, who long for His glory—not just for relief from suffering—will share in this reward.
As Jesus said:
“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.”
— Luke 12:37a, NKJV
And in Hebrews 9:28:
“So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
— Hebrews 9:28, NKJV
Summary and Application:
Paul’s life was being poured out, but not wasted.
He had run his race, fought the fight, and kept the faith.
His heart was fixed not on a Roman court, but on the judgment seat of Christ.
His confidence was not only in his crown, but that any faithful believer can receive the same reward.
This crown is for those who love Christ’s appearing—those who eagerly await and live in light of His return.
C. Paul’s Last Words from Prison
1. The Solitude of the Great Apostle
2 Timothy 4:9–13 (NKJV)
“Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.”
Paul’s last recorded words are not grandiose or theological—they are intensely personal. He pleads for fellowship, explains his current isolation, and makes practical requests. This passage reveals the human side of the apostle, showing us a man who, though bold in doctrine, longed for companionship and physical comfort in the final days before his execution.
“Be diligent to come to me quickly…”
The Greek word for “be diligent” (spoudazō) conveys urgency. Paul is asking Timothy to hurry to him. Paul was not afraid to admit his emotional need. Even the most seasoned spiritual warrior sometimes needs a trusted friend at his side. This echoes 2 Timothy 1:4, where Paul said:
“Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy.”
— 2 Timothy 1:4, NKJV
“For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world…”
Demas once stood with Paul, mentioned in Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24. But now he is counted among the deserters. The Greek word “forsaken” (egkataleipō) is strong—meaning to utterly abandon.
Demas didn’t fall into immorality or heresy per se; he simply loved this present world more than the one to come. This speaks of the now age (Greek: aiōna nyn)—the temporal values, comforts, and approval of the world.
This is the same world system John warned about:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
— 1 John 2:15, NKJV
Demas's fall shows that past usefulness is no guarantee of future faithfulness.
“Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia…”
These men had left, but not like Demas. They departed to continue ministry. Paul mentions them without criticism. Titus, in particular, had been a faithful partner (cf. Titus 1:4). Dalmatia was a region in modern-day Croatia, and Galatia was in central Asia Minor.
“Only Luke is with me…”
Luke, “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), remained when others had left. His loyalty stood out. As the human author of Luke and Acts, Luke had walked with Paul for years. In this final season, he alone stayed.
“Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”
This is a moment of reconciliation and restoration. Mark had abandoned Paul and Barnabas during the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), leading to a sharp division (Acts 15:36–40). But now, at the end of his life, Paul called for him.
This mirrors the restoration Peter experienced after his denial of Christ. The kingdom of God is marked by restoration, not cancellation.
“Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.”
Tychicus was a trusted emissary, mentioned in Ephesians 6:21 and Titus 3:12. Likely, Paul sent him to Ephesus to relieve Timothy so he could come to Rome.
“Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas…”
This is a request rich with implication. The Greek word for “cloak” (phainolēs) referred to a heavy outer garment, used for protection against the cold.
Paul had so few possessions that this cloak mattered. He likely left it with Carpus in a hasty arrest in Troas. The fact that he mentions it shows that even the greatest apostles had basic physical needs.
As Trapp said,
“Oh, what a small deal of household stuff had this great apostle… a cloak to keep off the rain, and a few books and writings.”
“…and the books, especially the parchments.”
Paul, facing death, still wanted his books—a man of learning to the end. The “books” (biblia) likely referred to scrolls; the parchments (membranas) were probably precious copies of Scripture, possibly portions of the Old Testament.
Calvin insightfully commented:
“This passage refutes the madness of fanatics who despise books and boast only of private inspirations.”
Paul never thought he had outgrown the need to read, study, and grow. He was a scholar to the end, valuing doctrine and truth even in prison.
3. A Warning to Beware of Alexander the Coppersmith
2 Timothy 4:14–15 (NKJV)
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.”
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm.”
Paul does not slander, but he warns. This may be the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20, who, along with Hymenaeus, had made shipwreck of the faith.
This “harm” may have been legal betrayal—he may have testified against Paul during his Roman trial.
“May the Lord repay him according to his works.”
This is not a personal curse, but an appeal to divine justice. Paul echoes Romans 12:19:
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
— Romans 12:19, NKJV
He trusted God to handle Alexander.
“You also must beware of him…”
Paul’s pastoral heart surfaces again. He doesn’t just vent about the damage done to him—he warns Timothy, to prevent the same harm from happening to his protégé.
The reason: “for he has greatly resisted our words.” The Greek indicates active, hostile opposition to the gospel.
Summary and Application
Paul was alone, cold, and abandoned—but not bitter.
He desired companionship, restoration, his cloak, and especially the Word of God.
Demas serves as a warning; Luke and Mark as examples of loyalty and redemption.
Alexander is a case study in betrayal, yet Paul trusted God to judge righteously.
Even the greatest saints experience physical needs, relational losses, and suffering, yet they stay the course with their eyes fixed on eternity.
