2 Timothy 4 is the fourth chapter of the Second Epistle to Timothy in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The letter is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, the last one written in Rome before his death, addressed to Timothy. There are charges that it is the work of an anonymous follower, after Paul's death in the first century AD. This chapter contains an intensely personal material, more than any other epistles, in relation to Paul's imminent death, ending with personal comments and salutations.
Paul charges Timothy to step into Paul's place in the worldwide mission.
Verse 1
In view of the imminent end of his life, Paul is expressing himself with the utmost solemnity three facts in his concluding charge: 'the reality of the judgment of Christ, the certainty of his return, and the establishment of his kingdom'.
Verse 2
Timothy's commission is outlined with five imperative verbs which will be described further in the following verses.
Here Paul mentions many individuals, friends and companions, as well as some personal requests for Timothy to do.
Verse 10
"Demas": was once one of Paul's close associates, but now has deserted Paul, perhaps because 'the going was too hard for him and the pull of the world too strong'; this is considered the saddest of all the brief notes.
"Luke": The 'beloved physician' and the writer of the "Gospel of Luke" and "the Acts of the Apostles". He was Paul's faithful companion in his travels and sufferings.
"Get Mark, and bring him with you": who at that time might be at Ephesus, or somewhere along Timothy's way to Rome. Presumbaly the same John Mark of Jerusalem, the son of Mary, Barnabas' sister, who was with Paul and Barnabas in their first journey, and departed from them at Pamphylia, causing a great quarrel between Paul and Barnabas leading to their separation in ministry, but now Paul had a better opinion of him, and was apparently reconciled to him, that he wants his assistance as later noted in ;.
"For he is helpful to me for the ministry": to assist in preaching the Gospel.
Verse 12
"Tychicus": a friend of Paul, mentioned 5 times in the New Testament.
"Alexander the coppersmith" or "the metalworker" could be identified with the person in or in, who at this point gave a hard opposition to Paul's message.
The Final Greetings (4:19–22)
This section mentions some familiar and some unfamiliar names, which may be known in the community, before closing it with a blessing modelled on the ones in, and.
Verse 19
Catholics regard this verse as an implication that Onesiphorus was already dead, as it is implied previously in, since Paul directly greets Aquila and Priscilla and seems to give greeting to "the house of Onesiphorus" to comfort his family.
