2 Timothy 4 Study Notes

4:1-8 These verses flow naturally out of 3:10-17. The strong statements about the saving and edifying power of Scripture in 3:15-17 lead to the command to proclaim this Word (4:1-4).

4:1 The solemnity of the charge is heightened by references to living before the gaze of God, to the fact that this God is judge, to Christ’s second coming (appearing), and to the reality of his present reign over his kingdom.

4:2 This could be the life verse of any gospel minister. The word is especially the gospel but includes the entirety of the Christian tradition taught by Paul and the other apostles (2:15). It is equated in 4:3 with “sound doctrine.”

4:3 Since Paul exhorted Timothy in how to respond when these things occurred, it is apparent that he did not refer only to some time in the distant future, but to a situation he expected Timothy to face or was already facing.

4:4 The word myth is used five times in the NT—four times in the Pastoral Epistles and once in 2Pt 1:16. In each instance, “myth” characterizes teaching that is fanciful and without a serious basis (1Tm 1:4).

4:5 Paul’s first charge here is for Timothy to exercise self-control. This is not a charge to avoid humor, but to ask in every situation, “What does Christ want of me here?”

4:6 By referring to a drink offering, Paul used OT sacrificial language to refer to his own death (Gn 35:14; Ex 29:40-41; Lv 23:13; Nm 15:5-10). This suggests he saw himself as laying down his life for the sake of the gospel.

4:7 To call his life the good fight uses imagery that portrays a struggle (cp. 1Co 9:25-26; 1Tm 1:18; 6:12). Paul did not sail through life with a constant smile on his face. On viewing his life as a race, see Ac 20:24. And Paul kept the faith in that he contended for the faith and he persevered in believing.

4:8 Crown of righteousness probably means “the crown which consists of righteousness,” referring to the final righteous state of believers. Thus, it will be given not only to Paul but to all those who have loved his appearing, a reference to all believers.

4:9 Paul writes as one who knew he would not live much longer.

4:10 Paul persevered in spite of suffering (1:11-12; 2:8-13) because he had an eternal perspective (4:6-8), but Demas abandoned Paul because he loved this present world.

4:11 In spite of his earlier disapproval of Mark (Ac 15:36-40), Paul now desired Mark’s presence and considered him useful . . . in the ministry.

4:12-13 Tychicus was a coworker (Ti 3:12) who carried two of Paul’s earlier prison letters to churches—Ephesians (Eph 6:21) and Colossians (Col 4:7). The word for especially can also be rendered “that is.” The identity of the writings Paul wanted is unknown, but they likely included Scripture.

4:14-15 The Alexander mentioned here cannot be identified with certainty. Paul mentioned an Alexander in 1Tm 1:20 as a person who had been excommunicated. He may have still been in Ephesus causing trouble. Or, since he is identified as a coppersmith, and there is evidence of a guild of coppersmiths in Troas, this may refer to a different man living in Troas. This would explain his appearance here after Paul asked Timothy to visit Troas.

4:16 In his forgiveness of others, Paul followed the teaching and model of Jesus (Lk 23:34), the practice of Stephen whom Paul saw die (Ac 7:60), and his own teaching (1Co 13:5).

4:17 Deliverance from a lion’s mouth was a common biblical metaphor for rescue from great danger (Ps 22:21).

4:18 Paul was absolutely convinced that God would deliver him from spiritual evil and bring him into his heavenly kingdom.

4:19 Prisca is a variant of Priscilla. This is a reference to the Priscilla and Aquila often mentioned in connection with Paul (e.g., Rm 16:3; 1Co 16:19).

4:20 An inscription was found in Corinth with the name Erastus on it. It is impossible to know if it is the same person, but see Rm 16:23.

4:21 This verse repeats the essence of v. 9. Travel in the Mediterranean area was usually suspended during winter because the weather resulted in dangerous conditions on land and sea. Therefore, if the trip were not completed by then, Timothy would be delayed and not be able to come “soon” (v. 9).

4:22 Paul used the phrase be with your spirit also in his closing in Gl 6:18; Php 4:23; Phm 25. There does not appear to be any significant difference in meaning from his more common “be with you” (Rm 16:20; 2Co 13:13; 2Th 3:18; cp. 1Co 16:23).