2 Timothy 4King James Version
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season. Then Paul's farewell: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. 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. Among the most moving last words in the New Testament.
Paul's final charge: preach the word with stubborn consistency whether the moment is favorable or not, because the day is coming when people will collect teachers who tell them what they want to hear. He then delivers his own epitaph, reports the loneliness of his first defense, asks Timothy to come quickly, and closes with personal greetings, one last warning about Alexander, and a final blessing.
Paul has run the full race. His closing request to Timothy is not legacy management but companionship: come before winter, bring the cloak, bring Mark.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (4:7) Three short lines carrying the full weight of a life spent in service, written from a cell where death is waiting.
A Roman winter coming. Paul in a damp cell, knowing his time is short, dictating with the same precision he would use for a church letter. He asks for warmth and parchments. He asks Timothy to hurry. The crown of righteousness awaits, but right now he just wants to see one more familiar face before the end.
Paul, awaiting execution. Timothy, being summoned urgently. Demas, who has deserted Paul for love of the world. Luke, the one companion still present. Mark, rehabilitated, now called profitable. Alexander the coppersmith, who has actively opposed Paul's work.
This is the last surviving letter of Paul. He preaches the word until the end, corrects course on Mark (reconciling what Acts 15 left fractured), names the loneliness of being forsaken at trial, and finds the Lord standing with him anyway. The letter ends where it began: grace.
The request for a cloak and books is the most human moment in Paul's letters. Not heroic, just real. A cold man in prison who still wants to read, and who misses his friend.
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3For 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;
4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. make...; or, fulfil
6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, 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: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16At 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.
17Notwithstanding 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.
18And 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.
19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
21Do thy diligence 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.