Note for 20250710 - Sons in Faith - Part 14 - 2 Timothy 4 - Farewell Message
Sons in Faith
2 Timothy
Part 14 - 2 Timothy 4 - Farewell Message
2 Timothy 4:1-22 KJV
[1] 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 longsuffering 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. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.
https://bible.com/bible/1/2ti.4.1-22.KJV
Note for 20250710
This letter, the last one according to the scholars. And before my research, also as it was placed in my heart. We do not know if he ever received his cloak or parchments, we have no more in Biblical text.
Here at the end, and it indeed seems that there is some knowing that it is near, he holds out this one last hope to see Timothy and that is clear by the coat and parchments request. He does seem to have somewhat of an issue with some that have betrayed him and left him, but the following show us what his heart was in matters:
2 Timothy 4:16 KJV
[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.
https://bible.com/bible/1/2ti.4.16.KJV
We see Paul repeat something here, that he might have heard Stephen pray while he was being stoned to death, "... Lay it not to their charge."
As a final letter, where many look at all he said how sound doctrine will not be followed and everything around us today (essentially) is brought to sight, I want to look at this:
2 Timothy 4:2 KJV
[2] preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
https://bible.com/bible/1/2ti.4.2.KJV
"Be instant..." The immediacy of readiness in and out of season brings a stark reality for being ready in every moment, doesn't it? Sure, we have rightfully heard about always being ready to receive the Lord Jesus Christ at His return, but there's also the readiness to testify for Jesus Christ, and as he writes here, to be a good minister in longsuffering.
The most remarkable statement Paul makes for me here at the end is actually in his final greeting:
2 Timothy 4:22 KJV
[22] The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.
https://bible.com/bible/1/2ti.4.22.KJV
"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." Let me "zoom in" further: "...Christ be with thy spirit." A little more, just one more, "thy spirit." You have just been shown a mystery, friends. In fact, more than one. If we had to use this key, how would we then interpret the following?
1 John 4:1 KJV
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.4.1.KJV
Ephesians 6:12 KJV
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.6.12.KJV
Galatians 4:19 KJV
[19] My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.4.19.KJV
Truly, I only "grabbed" the ones that came to mind in the moment. But, it does show a mystery in our faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, more so if we consider this verse:
John 14:26 KJV
[26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.26.KJV
It probably becomes most clear when I share the following too, to show you what Paul wrote to Timothy, as a blessing but so often missed:
Matthew 19:6 KJV
[6] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.19.6.KJV
Is it in full view now? Is your spirit separated unto Jesus Christ and do you have Spiritual communion? Is Christ with you? And I love that Paul's next statement in blessing is, Grace be with you. And of course, to end it with "Amen" seals it. "So be it," "Let it be so," or "may it be true."
What is it to be one in Christ? For Christ, the Living Word of GOD, to be formed in you? And what might be formed in you, in the absence of the Word of GOD in you, maybe something that resembles Ephesians 6:12? Not only does these verses bring understanding to what Paul wrote here to Timothy as "the last wave goodbye," but it also adds to our understanding of what is in the spirit. Is it of GOD or not, and if not from GOD; who then?
James 2:26 KJV
[26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
https://bible.com/bible/1/jas.2.26.KJV
Here, James uses something that is commonly understood at the time to explain what faith is without good works, but, friends, look at the measure by which he measures it. Shall we look again at Genesis 2:7? Or what makes a person unclean, according to Jesus Christ? What about relating that to 1 John 1:4? Or shall we look at how Christ said, "GOD is A Spirit" or how we were made in the image of GOD, or with what we were clothed with when we were found naked by GOD in the garden?
Or are we always required to look at the other end of the "stick" then?
Hosea 4:6 KJV
[6] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
https://bible.com/bible/1/hos.4.6.KJV
My dear friends, what is it then to be separated unto Christ Jesus and our Father in Heaven, from Whose breath we came?
The final words of Paul to Timothy speak the loudest of them all, and yet, it is said in a soft greeting, penned, not spoken. A blessing that concludes with, Amen. May Christ be with your spirit, Amen.
Selah, Shalom.
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App (extended to verse 20)
James 1:19-20 KJV
[19] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: [20] for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
https://bible.com/bible/1/jas.1.19-20.KJV
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