Preach the Word

1I ADJURE thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2preach the word, be urgent, in season, out of season; reprove, enjoin, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own inclinations will set up a herd of teachers for themselves, having the itch of hearing; 4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and listen unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully discharge thy ministry.

6For I am now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution approaches. 7I have struggled hard in the honourable contest, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: 8henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: yet not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Personal Concerns

9Hasten to come to me shortly: 10for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is gone unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. 11Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is very useful to me in the ministry. 12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13The cloke which I left behind me at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest bring, and the books, especially the parchments. 14Alexander the brazier did me many ill offices: the Lord repay him according to his works: 15against whom be thou also on thy guard, for he hath greatly resisted our words.

The Lord Remains Faithful

16At my first apology no man stood by me, but all forsook me: (may it not be imputed to them!) 17but the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully discharged, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was snatched out of the lion?s mouth. 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me for his celestial kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings
(Ephesians 6:21–24; Philippians 4:21–23)

19Salute Priscilla and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus hath abode at Corinth: but Trophimus I left behind me at Miletum sick. 21Hasten to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.The second epistle to Timothy, appointed the first bishop of the Ephesian church, was written from Rome, when the second time Paul stood before the C‘sar Nero.