2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4

4 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: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Am I prepared?  Do I know my scripture enough to be ready no matter the day, time or season?  People all around me, every day are in need.  I need to be ready.

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

This time is here.  It is now.  We have TV and radio with 100's of stations.  If you don't like it, find another station.  In politics people vote for the one that says what they want to hear, not what they need to hear.  Don't like what the preacher says, find another church.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store 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 also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Paul was sure he was about to be martyred.  He was ready.  More importantly, he knew he had accomplished the task the God had set before him.  I've had some rough spots here in the middle of my race.  I have a choice, I can quit or I can finish well.

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly, ¹⁰ for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

When you commit to helping a person or to a ministry.  Finish it.  Abandoning the work causes hardship for your brothers and sisters.  Yes God can call others and the work He want done will be completed, but you will miss out the blessings and lessons God has for you.

¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. ¹⁵ You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

We will face opposition.  God will repay those that hurt us. 

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We may be called upon to defend our belief.  We may even have to do it alone.  But we are never alone.  God will strengthen us and give us the words.  Use these times as an opportunity to share the gospel.

¹⁹ Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. ²¹ Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

Personal greeting.  No commentary required.

Instead of my usual sign off from Gal 6:18, I shall allow Paul's final words from this chapter, be the final words of this blog.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.