2Ti 4:6-7 | KingComments | STEP | . In the previous verses Paul pointed out to Timothy the situation in professing Christianity where there is no improvement to be expected, but on the contrary deterioration. In the meantime, after many ages of church history that also appeared. But he also pointed out to Timothy resources for difficult times. He did that in a way from which you also may profit. Now Timothy is able and has to get down to work. In a penetrating way Paul places Timothy “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus”, a presence that is reality to Paul himself. He lives before the face of God and of Christ Jesus and not before the face of men. In that way he is like Elijah, who, while he stood before king Ahab, said: “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand” ( ). He wants to give that awareness both to Timothy and to you. The way Paul connects Christ Jesus and God with each other indicates that Christ is God. Then three things of Christ are said that have to do with the fact that He became Man. First of all He “is to judge the living and the dead”. That judgment is given to Him because He is the Son of Man ( ). Then He will visibly appear as Man. Finally He will establish His kingdom. He will execute the judgment on the living and the dead at different times and at different occasions. He will judge the living when He has appeared on earth and is seated on the throne of His glory. The nations living on earth will appear before Him and be judged by Him ( ). He will judge the dead when He is seated on the great white throne, after His millennial kingdom ( ). Just for the record, the sequence of events listed in this verse: 1. First the Lord Jesus will appear on earth; 2. then He will judge the living, while He is seated on the throne of His glory; 3. then He will establish His kingdom and will reign for thousand years; 4. after which He, being seated on the great white throne, will judge the dead. For the sake of completeness, I mention another judgment that takes place earlier than the two just mentioned, namely immediately after the rapture of the church ( ). There the reward is being given to the believer according to the measure of faithfulness with which He served the Lord on earth. As it is said, the charging in the presence of two Divine Persons and the three events to come, underline the gravity of the order that must be fulfilled. But it also includes a great encouragement and that is that you may know that the hard times will come to an end when the Lord Jesus, Who is still being rejected, will return in power and majesty. The thought of His coming to judge makes you free from people and frees you from the fear of men. . Against the background of the command follows in . The thought of His appearance will not paralyze you, but will make you more diligent. When Christ returns He will come with His reward that is determined before the judgment seat. That reward is to be gained by you on earth by using all your efforts and diligence in full dedication to the Lord and to do what He asks of you. In measured terms Paul tells Timothy what is expected of him. The whole point is: “Preach the word.” After the Word of God has become apparent as the equipment of the man of God in the concluding verses of chapter 3 ( ), the next step is that it has to be preached. That is a great duty in all times, but certainly when the church has fallen into decay. ‘Preach’ here means openly proclaim, like the imperial herald did. The message to be brought was not made up by the herald himself. Not listening to the message of a herald was a serious matter. Timothy must always “be ready”. He is supposed to be inwardly always ready to transmit the Word, that is the whole revealed truth of God. He is supposed to be always ready (cf. ), “in season [and] out of season”, which means whether it is convenient for him or not, or whether the circumstances are favorable or not. He is also supposed to ‘reprove’, that is to deliver the convincing proof of the wrong in doctrine or life (cf. ). When that proof has been delivered then ‘rebuke’ should follow. The rebuking or denouncing, the openly indicating, makes clear how wrong the person has spoken or acted. Not only courage is needed for that, but also the right mindset. Acting against evil and “exhort” to prevent evil must happen “with great patience”, that is with long-suffering and self-control and not with a quick temper. That must also be accompanied by “instruction” or education. Both with reproving and rebuking and with teaching the doctrine of the Scripture has to be applied. All these actions are to be explained from the Scripture. Acting on the basis of the Scripture has always been of the greatest importance. As time goes by the importance increases more and more. I hope you are well aware of that or become aware of that. In any case Paul is not to be blamed if you do not consider this. . He warns us that a time will come that people and especially nominal Christians “will not endure sound doctrine”. We have definitely arrived in that time right now. Just tell nominal Christians about ‘the sound doctrine’ of marriage for instance. There is a great chance that they will laugh at you and label you as old-fashioned and that your ideas are outdated. In that way they reject the doctrine that is sound in itself and in its effect. They choose for a free experience of sexuality. They do not want to realize that this has been the cause and the spread of a disease like aids. They prefer to hold a ‘Day for aids’ to focus the attention on the problem and they give money in order to overcome this disease themselves. Getting to the root of the problem and living a healthy life in this regard, that is, in accordance with sound doctrine, they have no ears for that. On the contrary, they listen to teachers who say things they love to hear; who bring a message that smoothly enter into their ears. They have no lack of variation. A church may then chose or appoint a preacher who has a nice way of preaching. The truth content is not important to them, as long as it offers spiritual amusement and it caresses the spiritual feelings. The same happens with people who follow preachers whom they like, without asking themselves whether the preaching is biblical. . The result of this all will be that such people turn away their heads when once they really are confronted with the truth. They don’t want to hear the truth at all, but consciously turn their ear away from it time and time again. The automatic consequence is that they turn aside under the influence of “myths”. It is ironic if you think that modern, liberal theologians are now trying to ‘demythologize’ the Bible, which means that they indicate the myths in the Bible in order to rob the Bible from its power. They label the wonders of the Bible as myths and they even consider them as fairy tales. But they take refuge in the myths themselves by turning away from the truth. Paul rejects all expressions of modern thinkers and preachers, who base their allegations on science, with one word: fables. A quite recent example of a fable, a myth, is the Da Vinci Code, a book that is full of ridiculous religious mysteries, distortions of the truth and blasphemous allegations about the Lord Jesus. This book, out of which they also made a movie, has captivated millions. It has been sold more than thirty six million times and has already been translated into more than forty languages. Isn’t it shocking that such a huge number of people turn aside to myths? It is preparation for embracing the antichrist when he reveals himself. . Again you hear “but you”. Paul is warning you not to let yourself be dragged down by this strong antichristian movement. “Be sober in all things.” Be sure to remain free from false influences, for these will hinder you to keep a sober, biblical view on all things. Don’t be gullible and don’t let people encourage you for ideas that have no basis in the truth. Make well-considered decisions. Submit your plans to the Lord in prayer and always consult His Word. Be willing to carry the consequences of such a way of life and “endure hardship”. People will not thank and welcome you for your witness to the truth. Remain merciful to the lost people and “do the work of an evangelist”. Don’t hide behind the thought that you possibly don’t have the gift of an evangelist. That is not what it is about. The point is that whenever you have the opportunity to point to the Savior you must do that. The ministry of Timothy is extensive. He is supposed to fully accomplish each aspect of it, that nothing will be left undone. The Lord also expects of you to fully fulfill what He has ordered you to do. Thereby you may be sure that if the Lord commands you to do something He also gives you the strength and the means to do it. . Paul calls on Timothy’s attention for all these things, because he himself will soon disappear from the earthly scene. His departure is another exhortation for Timothy to fully fulfill his ministry. Now he has to work hard himself. But he can build on the foundation that the apostle himself has laid. Paul compares his departure with the outpouring of a “drink offering” ( ). In the offering service of Israel a drink offering was added to the burnt offering, which was the main offering ( ). His whole life in service to the Lord has been a life of full dedication and in that sense a burnt offering. Now he is close to pass away he sees his “departure” as a drink offering. A drink offering consists of wine and speaks of joy. He knows that he will enter into the joy of his Lord ( ). The word ‘depart’ has the meaning of ‘to unloose’ ( ) and refers to the loosening of a connection. Paul doesn’t see the execution, but the liberation! That that moment has come, means joy to him. Now read 2 Timothy 4:1-6 again. Reflection: Do you do the work of an evangelist?

‏ 2 Timothy 4:6-7

Preach the Word

2Tim 4:1. In the previous verses Paul pointed out to Timothy the situation in professing Christianity where there is no improvement to be expected, but on the contrary deterioration. In the meantime, after many ages of church history that also appeared. But he also pointed out to Timothy resources for difficult times. He did that in a way from which you also may profit.

Now Timothy is able and has to get down to work. In a penetrating way Paul places Timothy “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus”, a presence that is reality to Paul himself. He lives before the face of God and of Christ Jesus and not before the face of men. In that way he is like Elijah, who, while he stood before king Ahab, said: “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand” (1Kgs 17:1). He wants to give that awareness both to Timothy and to you.

The way Paul connects Christ Jesus and God with each other indicates that Christ is God. Then three things of Christ are said that have to do with the fact that He became Man. First of all He “is to judge the living and the dead”. That judgment is given to Him because He is the Son of Man (Jn 5:27). Then He will visibly appear as Man. Finally He will establish His kingdom.

He will execute the judgment on the living and the dead at different times and at different occasions. He will judge the living when He has appeared on earth and is seated on the throne of His glory. The nations living on earth will appear before Him and be judged by Him (Mt 25:31-46). He will judge the dead when He is seated on the great white throne, after His millennial kingdom (Rev 20:11-12).

Just for the record, the sequence of events listed in this verse:

1. First the Lord Jesus will appear on earth;

2. then He will judge the living, while He is seated on the throne of His glory;

3. then He will establish His kingdom and will reign for thousand years;

4. after which He, being seated on the great white throne, will judge the dead.

For the sake of completeness, I mention another judgment that takes place earlier than the two just mentioned, namely immediately after the rapture of the church (2Cor 5:10). There the reward is being given to the believer according to the measure of faithfulness with which He served the Lord on earth.

As it is said, the charging in the presence of two Divine Persons and the three events to come, underline the gravity of the order that must be fulfilled. But it also includes a great encouragement and that is that you may know that the hard times will come to an end when the Lord Jesus, Who is still being rejected, will return in power and majesty. The thought of His coming to judge makes you free from people and frees you from the fear of men.

2Tim 4:2. Against the background of 2Tim 4:1 the command follows in 2Tim 4:2. The thought of His appearance will not paralyze you, but will make you more diligent. When Christ returns He will come with His reward that is determined before the judgment seat. That reward is to be gained by you on earth by using all your efforts and diligence in full dedication to the Lord and to do what He asks of you.

In measured terms Paul tells Timothy what is expected of him. The whole point is: “Preach the word.” After the Word of God has become apparent as the equipment of the man of God in the concluding verses of chapter 3 (2Tim 3:16-17), the next step is that it has to be preached. That is a great duty in all times, but certainly when the church has fallen into decay.

‘Preach’ here means openly proclaim, like the imperial herald did. The message to be brought was not made up by the herald himself. Not listening to the message of a herald was a serious matter.

Timothy must always “be ready”. He is supposed to be inwardly always ready to transmit the Word, that is the whole revealed truth of God. He is supposed to be always ready (cf. 1Pet 3:15), “in season [and] out of season”, which means whether it is convenient for him or not, or whether the circumstances are favorable or not. He is also supposed to ‘reprove’, that is to deliver the convincing proof of the wrong in doctrine or life (cf. Jn 16:8). When that proof has been delivered then ‘rebuke’ should follow. The rebuking or denouncing, the openly indicating, makes clear how wrong the person has spoken or acted.

Not only courage is needed for that, but also the right mindset. Acting against evil and “exhort” to prevent evil must happen “with great patience”, that is with long-suffering and self-control and not with a quick temper. That must also be accompanied by “instruction” or education. Both with reproving and rebuking and with teaching the doctrine of the Scripture has to be applied. All these actions are to be explained from the Scripture.

Acting on the basis of the Scripture has always been of the greatest importance. As time goes by the importance increases more and more. I hope you are well aware of that or become aware of that. In any case Paul is not to be blamed if you do not consider this.

2Tim 4:3. He warns us that a time will come that people and especially nominal Christians “will not endure sound doctrine”. We have definitely arrived in that time right now. Just tell nominal Christians about ‘the sound doctrine’ of marriage for instance. There is a great chance that they will laugh at you and label you as old-fashioned and that your ideas are outdated. In that way they reject the doctrine that is sound in itself and in its effect.

They choose for a free experience of sexuality. They do not want to realize that this has been the cause and the spread of a disease like aids. They prefer to hold a ‘Day for aids’ to focus the attention on the problem and they give money in order to overcome this disease themselves. Getting to the root of the problem and living a healthy life in this regard, that is, in accordance with sound doctrine, they have no ears for that.

On the contrary, they listen to teachers who say things they love to hear; who bring a message that smoothly enter into their ears. They have no lack of variation. A church may then chose or appoint a preacher who has a nice way of preaching. The truth content is not important to them, as long as it offers spiritual amusement and it caresses the spiritual feelings. The same happens with people who follow preachers whom they like, without asking themselves whether the preaching is biblical.

2Tim 4:4. The result of this all will be that such people turn away their heads when once they really are confronted with the truth. They don’t want to hear the truth at all, but consciously turn their ear away from it time and time again.

The automatic consequence is that they turn aside under the influence of “myths”. It is ironic if you think that modern, liberal theologians are now trying to ‘demythologize’ the Bible, which means that they indicate the myths in the Bible in order to rob the Bible from its power. They label the wonders of the Bible as myths and they even consider them as fairy tales. But they take refuge in the myths themselves by turning away from the truth.

Paul rejects all expressions of modern thinkers and preachers, who base their allegations on science, with one word: fables. A quite recent example of a fable, a myth, is the Da Vinci Code, a book that is full of ridiculous religious mysteries, distortions of the truth and blasphemous allegations about the Lord Jesus. This book, out of which they also made a movie, has captivated millions. It has been sold more than thirty six million times and has already been translated into more than forty languages. Isn’t it shocking that such a huge number of people turn aside to myths? It is preparation for embracing the antichrist when he reveals himself.

2Tim 4:5. Again you hear “but you”. Paul is warning you not to let yourself be dragged down by this strong antichristian movement. “Be sober in all things.” Be sure to remain free from false influences, for these will hinder you to keep a sober, biblical view on all things. Don’t be gullible and don’t let people encourage you for ideas that have no basis in the truth. Make well-considered decisions. Submit your plans to the Lord in prayer and always consult His Word.

Be willing to carry the consequences of such a way of life and “endure hardship”. People will not thank and welcome you for your witness to the truth. Remain merciful to the lost people and “do the work of an evangelist”. Don’t hide behind the thought that you possibly don’t have the gift of an evangelist. That is not what it is about. The point is that whenever you have the opportunity to point to the Savior you must do that.

The ministry of Timothy is extensive. He is supposed to fully accomplish each aspect of it, that nothing will be left undone. The Lord also expects of you to fully fulfill what He has ordered you to do. Thereby you may be sure that if the Lord commands you to do something He also gives you the strength and the means to do it.

2Tim 4:6. Paul calls on Timothy’s attention for all these things, because he himself will soon disappear from the earthly scene. His departure is another exhortation for Timothy to fully fulfill his ministry. Now he has to work hard himself. But he can build on the foundation that the apostle himself has laid.

Paul compares his departure with the outpouring of a “drink offering” (Phil 2:17). In the offering service of Israel a drink offering was added to the burnt offering, which was the main offering (Num 28:7-15 ; 24 ; 31 ; Num 29:39). His whole life in service to the Lord has been a life of full dedication and in that sense a burnt offering. Now he is close to pass away he sees his “departure” as a drink offering. A drink offering consists of wine and speaks of joy. He knows that he will enter into the joy of his Lord (Mt 25:21).

The word ‘depart’ has the meaning of ‘to unloose’ (Phil 1:23) and refers to the loosening of a connection. Paul doesn’t see the execution, but the liberation! That that moment has come, means joy to him.

Now read 2 Timothy 4:1-6 again.

Reflection: Do you do the work of an evangelist?

Personal Circumstances

2Tim 4:7. Paul looks back on his ministry. There is nothing that he regrets. What he did in the past still has its full value. He doesn’t speak like a worn out warrior who is glad he made it to the end. It is the acclamation of joy from a winner. When he says that he has “fought the good fight” he doesn’t emphasize the hardships and efforts and the sufferings that went hand in hand with it. For him the emphasis is on the privilege that he had by partaking of such an excellent fight. The fight here is the fight of a wrestler.

Also “the course” is a sports term. It is about a race here. The race has been finished. He has reached the finish with full conviction. In Acts 20 he also speaks about a ‘course’ (Acts 20:24; cf. Phil 3:13-14). There he looks forward, while here he looks back and sees the goal that he had set before him and which he indeed had reached. At the finish he notes that on his way he has defended and “kept the faith”, that is the whole truth of faith, against the countless attacks on it. He did not lose anything of all that the Lord has entrusted to him.

2Tim 4:8. The only thing that’s left for him is to receive the crown. He looks like a wrestler here who has won and looks at the victory podium where he may go to receive the award. That will be given to him by the Lord, the perfectly righteous Judge, Who perfectly knows all his motives and efforts and Who is able to correctly recognize and reward everything.

The reward consists of a public recognition of the Lord Jesus that Paul has lived as a righteous one in the midst of so much unrighteousness. In his life he had, by following his Master, suffered as an unrighteous one.

“That day” is the day that the Lord Jesus will be seated on the judgment seat and will reveal all things (1Cor 4:4; 2Cor 5:10). This great perspective didn’t only keep Paul going, but he eagerly looked forward to it.

And he also says that this doesn’t apply to himself alone, but also to you if you at least love the appearance of the Lord Jesus and eagerly look forward to that. Don’t you find it also wonderful that Paul, despite his miserable circumstances and the prospect of the martyr’s death, thinks of other people?

When Christ appears He will be revealed to the world (cf. 2Tim 4:1). It is absolutely great to know that He will come first to catch up the church. But the world will sink down further into godlessness. When He appears He will make an end to that by judging all godlessness. Then He will carry out His plan with the earth, which is the territory of His kingdom. What a joy that will be to Him to reign on earth where He was rejected and killed and where He is still being rejected. He will then take the earth into possession for God, that God may be honored. You certainly look forward to that, don’t you?

2Tim 4:9. The desire for the appearance of the Lord Jesus doesn’t make Paul insensitive for the help of other people. He is looking forward to see Timothy and he asks him to come as soon as possible and to do everything in his power to indeed come. He needed someone whom he could share the feelings of his heart with and who would surely understand him.

2Tim 4:10. Demas is the first of seventeen names Paul mentions in this chapter. Although his days are numbered he thinks of others. With pain in his heart he mentions Demas. In two earlier letters he wrote during his first imprisonment, he also mentions Demas (Col 4:14; Phlm 1:24). There he appears to be someone who is close to Paul and who helps him. Nevertheless his heart was apparently not undividedly focused on the Lord.

It is not said that Demas is no longer a Christian and that he openly rejected the Lord. But it was not in his heart to bear the cross with the apostle. He started to love the world and forsook Paul. If you are not willing to pay the price of hardship and suffering, you will forsake the work of the Lord in favor of this present world.

It doesn’t directly mean that Demas submitted himself to lawlessness, but that he searched his future in the world. Probably he chose for an honorable job that absorbed all his attention, however. He traveled to Thessalonica. The church there was a sound church. However, he was not interested. He searched the world there and not the brothers and sisters. His love for the world was in sharp contrast to the love for the appearance of the Lord Jesus in 2Tim 4:8.

What is said of Demas implies the warning not to let yourself be dragged down by the love for the present, but by the love for the coming. If you are perfectly comfortable in the present time, you will not look forward to the future time of Christ's reign.

Especially young believers are highly attracted to the world. John particularly warns them not to love the world nor the things in the world (1Jn 2:15). The world is not only all kinds of lawlessness, lusts and desires. It is the world as it has become because of the fall of man, where men are in control, who live a life without reverence for God. It also includes hard working people, who pursue a career or who do researches and make discoveries that improve the quality of life. They receive a lot of respect. However, if there is no place for God, it is the world.

Paul mentions two other ones, Crescens and Titus. They also left him. Of those it is not said that they have forsaken him. Most probably they went to another place in order to serve the Lord there. Of Crescens we do not know more than what is written here. Of Titus we know more, because Paul wrote him a letter that directly follows after this second letter to Timothy in the Bible.

2Tim 4:11. Although these two have not forsaken him like Demas did, Paul feels very alone. Not only that he was left to his fate by most Christians (2Tim 1:15), but also his companions in the work have left. Fortunately there is someone with him, Luke. Luke has made the departure of the others, for whatever reason, easier for him.

It would make Paul also happy if Timothy took Mark along with him. Probably Timothy could pick up Mark somewhere on his way. What Paul says about Mark indicates that he has seen a restoration with Mark in his relation to the Lord. Also Mark has left Paul once after he first went together with him (Acts 12:25 ; Acts 13:13). The price for following the Lord together with Paul had become too high. Due to his attitude he even causes a distance between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-39).

Fortunately there has been a moment that Mark became aware of his wrong choice. He chose again for the Lord. In that way the disturbed relationship has been restored and therefore he became useful again for the service. The way Paul writes about him, suggests that Mark wants to be useful with more diligence and dedication. And isn’t it an amazing proof of the grace of the Lord that this failed servant has been allowed to describe the service of the perfect Servant in the Gospel according to Mark? The Lord always gives a failing servant the chance for a new start.

2Tim 4:12. The three brethren of 2Tim 4:10 have left the apostle on the basis of their own decision. It was different with Tychicus, who was sent to Ephesus by the apostle. This Tychicus is a wonderful brother who is called by Paul a “beloved brother and faithful servant” (Col 4:7). He has delivered some letters that Paul has written during his first imprisonment: the letter to the Ephesians and the letter to the Colossians (Eph 6:21; Col 4:7-8).

2Tim 4:13. His request to bring his cloak and the books shows once more that Paul is an ordinary man. He cares for both his body and his spirit. It is a real human letter from someone who is just a man like we are with his needs and desires. In the place where he is imprisoned it could be cold and his cloak would be useful. With winter approaching (2Tim 4:21) his desire for his cloak is greater.

Paul would also be grateful to have the books and the parchments. Those are not necessarily the inspired Scriptures. He may have asked for scrolls of books and parchments (made of animal skins) with data that are valuable to him. He wants to refresh his spirit with those. It will not have been novels, as those today often filled with unbiblical fantasies of the writer from a vague memory of the Bible.

2Tim 4:14. Paul is also not indifferent about the harm that other people do to him, like Alexander the coppersmith. You can fight physical cold with a cloak, but from this man comes a spiritual cold that is not to be fought. It is not said in what way this man caused Paul harm. Any way it is “much harm”. Nevertheless Paul doesn’t call for revenge, but leaves the judgment to the Lord.

2Tim 4:15. While Paul puts this matter concerning himself into the hands of the Lord, he warns Timothy of this man. Timothy must keep on going; he is still in the midst of battle. We need to warn each other sometimes of people who oppose the Word. He is a dangerous man, who finds his own words more important than those of the Scripture. At the same time it is a test for ourselves, how we stand and how we respond. Such people teach us lessons on patience.

Now read 2 Timothy 4:7-15 again.

Reflection: Do you love the appearance of the Lord?