His charge to Timothy. He tells him of his approaching death and desires
him to come to him.
4:1. I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
living and the dead, by his coming and his kingdom:
4:2. Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove,
entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.
4:3. For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine
but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves
teachers having itching ears:
4:4. And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be
turned unto fables.
4:5. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober.
An evangelist... a diligent preacher of the gospel.
4:6. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my
dissolution is at hand.
4:7. I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept
the faith.
4:8. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which
the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to
me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me
quickly.
4:9. For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone to
Thessalonica:
4:10. Crescens into Galatia, Titus into Dalmatia.
4:11. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is
profitable to me for the ministry.
4:12. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
4:13. The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest,
bring with thee: and the books, especially the parchments.
4:14. Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord will
reward him according to his works:
4:15. Whom do thou also avoid: for he hath greatly withstood our words.
4:16. At my first answer, no man stood with me: but all forsook me. May
it not be laid to their charge!
4:17. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that by me the
preaching may be accomplished and that all the Gentiles may hear. And I
was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
4:18. The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work and will preserve
me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
4:19. Salute Prisca, and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
4:20. Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
4:21. Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and
Claudia and all the brethren, salute thee.
4:22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
Amen.