In prison in Rome, and understanding that the end of his life is near (see Acts 20:25), Paul gives a final charge to his disciple, Timothy. A "charge," as made in this passage is an "earnest appeal" or "urging" to the hearer. At this time at end of his life and ministry, Paul is earnestly appealing to Timothy to continue proclaiming the truth that was passed on to him from Paul (see 2 Tim. 1:13).

I'm Serious (2 Timothy 4:1)
* Paul emphasizes the seriousness of his charge to Timothy by indicating that he is making this charge before God and before Jesus. It is not that Christian ministry is ever conducted outside of their presence, but he is reminding Timothy who ultimately oversees his ministry among the Ephesians.

* Jesus is described here as the one who will judge all of those who are alive and already dead when he returns in his "second coming." (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

* "Appearing" (epiphaneia) here means "a shining forth," and might give a picture of the arrival of a glorious king who is ruling over his kingdom.

1. How would an appeal to the role of Jesus as ultimate judge of all, and his appearing and kingdom give weight to Paul's charge to Timothy?

The Charge (verse 2)
* Paul's primary charge to Timothy here is to "Preach the Word." To "preach" (kerusso) is to "herald" or "proclaim" publicly. Apparently, Timothy is a timid servant (2 Tim. 1:7), and this charge may have been a difficult challenge to him.

* The subject of Timothy's preaching was to be the "Word," which means the Word of God. Some examples of what Paul himself preached, include: "I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God" (Acts 20:27), "we preach Christ crucified" (1 Cor. 1:23), "This is what we speak, not in words taught to us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:13), "we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2 Cor. 4:5), and "all Scripture" which is "God-breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16). Timothy was to preach the word of God, in the presence of God, as one sent from God (1 Cor. 2:17b).

2. Considering verse 2, when is this preaching of the Word is to be conducted?

3. According to this verse, what activities should accompany preaching of the word?

Reason for the Charge (verses 3-4)
Maintaining "sound" doctrine/teaching is a key message in Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus (1 Tim. 1:10-11, 2 Tim. 1:13, Titus 1:9, 2:1). Sound doctrine (hugiaino didaskalias) is "healthy" instruction, which the people described in this passage would not put up with, but would rather turn away from the truth and turn toward myths-to "whatever their itching ears wanted to hear…"

4. Why do you think people would not put up with truthful, sound (healthy) doctrine, and would rather find teachers who would tell them whatever they wanted to hear (see 1 Cor. 2:14)? What kind of teacher would make himself or herself available to teach such things (see 2 Cor. 2:17, Titus 1:11)?

5. How could a preacher continue preaching sound doctrine if no one believed him or cared about what he had to say? Consider Isaiah 55:10-11.

But you… (verse 5)
* In contrast to the people described in verses 4 and 5, Timothy is to be self-controlled (not following his own desires as the people in verse 3) and to persevere through difficulties. He is to do the work of an evangelist (announcing the "good news") to those who have not heard the gospel, although perhaps not taking that as his sole job. He is to fulfill all aspects of his ministry.

Departure and Reward (verses 6-8)
* Paul uses the picture of a drink offering from the Old Testament system of sacrifices (see Numbers 28:24) to illustrate how he even considered his imprisonment and death to be a sacrifice to the God who is worthy of such a sacrifice.

* He describes his death as a "departure" (analusis), or "unloosing", which holds the picture of a ship being released from its moorings, or a tent being folded up for a journey to a new location .

* Paul can look back on his life and say (in verses 7 and 8): "I have ______ the ____ _____, I have ________ ___ ____, I have ____ the faith. Now there is in store for me the _____ __ _____________, which the Lord, the righteous _____, will _____ to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to ___ who have ______ for his _________."

Reflection/Application

† Application-As a Christian, or as an interested non-Christian, are you careful to seek out sound Christian teaching/preaching, and do you consider how what you hear measures up to the written Word of God?

† Application-Maybe some of you Christians have aspiration to be preachers, teachers, and servants/ministers now or in the future-and I hope that is true to many of you. If so, do you take this charge seriously to teach and/or preach sound doctrine, and to fulfill your ministry?

† Application-For all, do you see yourself being able to make the same proclamation at the end of your life that Paul made at the end of his life? For non-Christians, have you seriously considered getting into that "good fight" by trusting Christ as Savior and Lord?