2Ti 4:6-18 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Tim 4:6-8: 4:6-8 Paul’s faithfulness, vindication, and reward are a model and a challenge to others—particularly Timothy—to follow Paul’s example after he is gone. 4:6 Paul pictures his death as a drink offering that is poured out . . . to God (see Exod 29:40-41 ; Lev 23:13 ; Num 28:7 ; Phil 2:17 ); this offering participates in Christ’s own sacrifice (see Col 1:24 ; see also Rom 12:1 ).

Summary for 2Tim 4:6-8: 4:6-8 ^a Paul’s faithfulness, vindication, and reward are a model and a challenge to others—particularly Timothy—to follow Paul’s example after he is gone. 4:6 ^b Paul pictures his death as a drink offering that is poured out . . . to God (see Exod 29:40-41 ^c; Lev 23:13 ^d; Num 28:7 ^e; Phil 2:17 ^f); this offering participates in Christ’s own sacrifice (see Col 1:24 ^g; see also Rom 12:1 ^h).
4:7 ⁱ Paul had remained faithful to the trust that was committed to him (see study notes on 1:12; 1 Tim 6:20; cp. Acts 20:24 ^j). He had preserved the integrity of the Christian faith and wanted Timothy to follow his example (see 2 Tim 2:3-7 ^k; 1 Tim 1:18 ^l; 6:12 ^m; cp. Rom 15:30-31 ⁿ; 1 Cor 9:25-27 ^o; Heb 12:1 ^p; Jude 1:3 ^q).
4:8 ^r Only one thing remained for Paul: the victor’s crown (see also Jas 1:12 ^s; 1 Pet 5:4 ^t; Rev 2:10 ^u; 3:11 ^v).

• If we live expecting that Christ is indeed coming again, we can eagerly look forward to his appearing (see 1 Tim 6:14 ^w) to set up his kingdom (2 Tim 4:1 ^x). If we don’t follow Christ’s commands, we cannot look forward to his coming as Judge and King.
4:9 ^y Paul makes explicit his summons for Timothy to come to Rome (see 1:4 ^z).
4:10 ^aa Demas: See Col 4:14 ^ab; Phlm 1:24 ^ac.

• deserted: See also 2 Tim 4:16-17 ^ad; cp. Ps 22:1 ^ae; Mark 15:34 ^af.

• Loving the things of this life contrasts with the anticipation of Christ’s glorious return (2 Tim 4:8 ^ag).

• Crescens is otherwise unknown; his and Titus’s absence seems to have heightened Paul’s isolation.

• Titus was Paul’s effective and reliable co-worker. Perhaps he had gone to Dalmatia (northwest of modern-day Greece) on a mission for Paul.
4:11 ^ah Luke, the author of Luke and Acts, accompanied Paul in his journeys at various times. It is often supposed that Luke was with Paul as his physician (Col 4:14 ^ai). Luke was the only one of Paul’s co-workers who was continuously present with him. Thus Paul wished for Timothy to come quickly.

• Mark: Paul’s assessment that he will be helpful to me tells a story of forgiveness and redemption (see Acts 13:13 ^aj; 15:36-40 ^ak; see also Col 4:10 ^al; Phlm 1:24 ^am).
4:12 ^an Tychicus was apparently a Greek (implied in Col 4:7-8 ^ao, 10-11 ^ap) from Asia Minor (see also Acts 20:4 ^aq; Eph 6:21-22 ^ar; Col 4:7-8 ^as; Titus 3:12 ^at). He was possibly going to Ephesus to deliver the present letter and take over for Timothy (assuming that Timothy was in Ephesus; see study notes on 2 Tim 4:13, 19).
4:13 ^au Paul’s arrest and transfer to Rome apparently did not allow him to gather his things.

• the coat: Winter was coming (4:21 ^av).

• Carpus might have been Paul’s host in Troas. The reference to Troas implies that Timothy was still in Ephesus and would travel through Troas, a port town.

• my books ... my papers: These writings may have included Scriptures, personal notes, letters addressed to Paul, copies of Paul’s own letters, and other Christian and Jewish materials.
4:14 ^aw Alexander was a common name (cp. Mark 15:21 ^ax; Acts 4:6 ^ay; 19:33 ^az). Alexander the coppersmith was probably the same person as in 1 Tim 1:20 ^ba.

• did me much harm: Apparently he did more than merely oppose Paul’s teaching. Perhaps he had a hand in Paul’s arrest.
4:16 ^bb The first time I was brought before the judge: A Roman trial was divided between an initial, preliminary investigation and the trial proper. Paul was probably referring to the first of these. It could also refer to his first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28 ^bc; see 2 Timothy Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).

• Everyone abandoned me: See study note on 2 Tim 4:10.
4:17 ^bd so that I might preach the Good News: Paul had turned his defense in court into proclamation of the Good News—just as in his earlier experiences (Acts 22:1–24:27 ^be; 26:1-29 ^bf; see also 2 Tim 2:9-10 ^bg; Phil 1:12-14 ^bh).

• for all the Gentiles to hear: Paul sensed that he had completed his task (2 Tim 4:7-8 ^bi). The Old Testament specifically anticipates the conversion of the nations (e.g., Ps 22:27-29 ^bj).

• from certain death (literally from the mouth of a lion): The lion is often a metaphor for enemies (see Pss 7:2 ^bk; 35:17 ^bl; cp. Dan 6 ^bm; Heb 11:33 ^bn). Here, it might refer to literal lions in the amphitheater, to the emperor, to the false teachers, or to Satan (1 Pet 5:8 ^bo; cp. Ps 22:21 ^bp).
4:18 ^bq God would continue to strengthen Paul and keep him strong in the faith (4:7 ^br) to the end of his life (see 1:12 ^bs).

• The Lord’s heavenly Kingdom contrasts with the earthly kingdom that was about to pass judgment on Paul (see also 4:1 ^bt; 1 Cor 15:48-49 ^bu; Heb 12:18-29 ^bv).

• All glory ... Amen: Paul’s doxology in the face of execution expresses confidence that God’s glory will be upheld (cp. 1 Tim 1:17 ^bw; 6:15-16 ^bx).

• to God (literally to him): The Greek suggests that this praise is ascribed to “the Lord” of the preceding sentence—namely, to Jesus (cp. Titus 2:13 ^by).