2 Timothy 4
New English Translation
Charge to Timothy Repeated
4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the message,[a] be ready[b] whether it is convenient or not,[c] reprove, rebuke, exhort[d] with complete patience and instruction. 3 For there will be a time when people[e] will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires,[f] they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.[g] 4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.[h] 5 You, however, be self-controlled[i] in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart[j] is at hand. 7 I have competed well;[k] I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! 8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on[l] his appearing.
Travel Plans and Concluding Greetings
9 Make every effort to come to me soon. 10 For Demas[m] deserted me, since he loved[n] the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help[o] to me in ministry.[p] 12 Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm.[q] The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.[r] 15 You be on guard against him[s] too, because he vehemently opposed our words. 16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me—may they not be held accountable for it. 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message[t] would be fully proclaimed[u] for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely[v] into his heavenly kingdom. To him[w] be glory for ever and ever![x] Amen.
19 Greetings to[y] Prisca and Aquila[z] and the family of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.[aa] 22 The Lord[ab] be with your spirit. Grace be with you.[ac]
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 4:2 tn Or “the word.”
- 2 Timothy 4:2 tn Or “be persistent.”
- 2 Timothy 4:2 tn Grk “in season, out of season.”
- 2 Timothy 4:2 tn Or “encourage.”
- 2 Timothy 4:3 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the people in that future time) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 2 Timothy 4:3 tn Grk “in accord with.”
- 2 Timothy 4:3 tn Grk “having an itching in regard to hearing,” “having itching ears.”
- 2 Timothy 4:4 sn These myths were legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 1:4; 4:7; and Titus 1:14.
- 2 Timothy 4:5 tn Or “sober,” “temperate.”
- 2 Timothy 4:6 tn Grk “of my departure.”
- 2 Timothy 4:7 sn The expression I have competed well (Grk “I have competed the good competition”) uses words that may refer to a race or to a boxing or wrestling match: “run the good race” or “fight the good fight.” The similar phrase in 1 Tim 1:18 uses a military picture and is more literally “war the good warfare.”
- 2 Timothy 4:8 tn Grk “all who have loved.”
- 2 Timothy 4:10 sn Demas is most likely the same individual mentioned in Col 4:14 and Phlm 24.
- 2 Timothy 4:10 tn Grk “having loved.”
- 2 Timothy 4:11 tn Grk “useful.”
- 2 Timothy 4:11 tn Or “in serving me.”
- 2 Timothy 4:14 tn Grk “showed me much evil.”
- 2 Timothy 4:14 sn An allusion to Ps 28:4.
- 2 Timothy 4:15 tn Grk “against whom,” as a continuation of the previous clause. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- 2 Timothy 4:17 tn Or “the preaching.”
- 2 Timothy 4:17 tn Grk “might be completely fulfilled.”
- 2 Timothy 4:18 tn Grk “save me.”
- 2 Timothy 4:18 tn Grk “to whom.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- 2 Timothy 4:18 tn Grk “unto the ages of the ages,” an emphatic way of speaking about eternity in Greek.
- 2 Timothy 4:19 tn Grk “greet.”
- 2 Timothy 4:19 sn On Prisca and Aquila see also Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Rom 16:3-4; 1 Cor 16:19. In the NT “Priscilla” and “Prisca” are the same person. Paul uses the name Prisca, while the author of Acts uses the diminutive form of the name Priscilla.
- 2 Timothy 4:21 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelphoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).
- 2 Timothy 4:22 tc The reading ὁ κύριος (ho kurios, “the Lord”) is well supported by א* F G 33 1739 1881 sa, but predictable expansions on the text have occurred at this point: A 104 614 read ὁ κύριος ᾿Ιησοῦς (ho kurios Iēsous, “the Lord Jesus”), while א2 C D Ψ 1175 1241 1505 M al sy bo have ὁ κύριος ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός (ho kurios Iēsous Christos, “the Lord Jesus Christ”). As B. M. Metzger notes, although in a late book such as 2 Timothy, one might expect the fuller title for the Lord, accidental omission of nomina sacra is rare (TCGNT 582). The shorter reading is thus preferred on both external and internal grounds.
- 2 Timothy 4:22 tc Most witnesses (א2 D Ψ 1175 1241 1505 M al lat sy) conclude this letter with ἀμήν (amēn, “amen”). Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant. Further, there are several excellent Alexandrian and Western representatives (א* A C F G 6 33 81 1739* 1881 sa) that lack the particle, rendering the omission the preferred reading.
2 Timothy 4
Lexham English Bible
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom, 2 preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and instruction. 3 For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound teaching, but in accordance with their own desires, they will accumulate for themselves teachers, because they have an insatiable curiosity[a], 4 and they will turn away from the hearing of the truth, but will turn to myths. 5 But you, be self-controlled in all things, bear hardship patiently, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is imminent. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Final Instructions to Timothy
9 Make haste to come to me quickly. 10 For Demas deserted me, because he[b] loved the present age, and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia; Titus went to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Take along Mark and[c] bring him with you, because he is useful to me for ministry. 12 But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you[d] come, bring the cloak that I left behind in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the metalworker did me much harm; may the Lord pay back to him according to his deeds, 15 against whom you also be on guard, because he vehemently opposed our words. 16 At my first defense, no one came to my aid, but they all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued me from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom, to whom be the glory forever and ever[e]. Amen.
Final Greetings and Benediction
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind in Miletus because he[f] was sick. 21 Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers greet you. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 4:3 Literally “feeling an itching in the ear”; “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“feeling an itching”) which is understood as causal
- 2 Timothy 4:10 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“loved”) which is understood as causal
- 2 Timothy 4:11 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“take along”) has been translated as a finite verb
- 2 Timothy 4:13 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“come”) which is understood as temporal
- 2 Timothy 4:18 Literally “to the ages of the ages”
- 2 Timothy 4:20 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was sick”) which is understood as causal
2 Timothy 4
King James Version
4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
2 Timothy 4
New King James Version
Preach the Word
4 I (A)charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, (B)who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. (C)Convince, (D)rebuke, (E)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 (F)For the time will come when they will not endure (G)sound doctrine, (H)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and (I)be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, (J)endure afflictions, do the work of (K)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul’s Valedictory
6 For (L)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (M)my departure is at hand. 7 (N)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me (O)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous (P)Judge, will give to me (Q)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The Abandoned Apostle
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for (R)Demas has forsaken me, (S)having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get (T)Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And (U)Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
14 (V)Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.
16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. (W)May it not be charged against them.
The Lord Is Faithful
17 (X)But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, (Y)so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered (Z)out of the mouth of the lion. 18 (AA)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. (AB)To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Come Before Winter
19 Greet (AC)Prisca and Aquila, and the household of (AD)Onesiphorus. 20 (AE)Erastus stayed in Corinth, but (AF)Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
21 Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
Farewell
22 The Lord [c]Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 4:1 NU omits therefore
- 2 Timothy 4:1 NU and by
- 2 Timothy 4:22 NU omits Jesus Christ
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.