2Tim 4

 

1.      There are several things we can explore here in verse 1. The first one I want you to notice is that Jesus is going to be the judge of both the living and the dead. See Acts 17:30-31. Mat 25:31-46 we see that all the nations of the world will be gathered before Jesus and he will separate them out to left and to the right. Those on his right hand will enter into heaven while those on his left hand will go to hell. Paul makes it clear that everyone will have to stand before Christ and be judged for what they have done 2Cor. 5:10. This judgment will be based upon the word of God John 12:48 and this judgment will take place in the last day when Jesus appears.

 

This leads us to our second point which is death blow the 70AD doctrine. It has to do with this word appear which is the greek word epiphaneia {ep-if-an'-i-ah}. For you to understand the significance of this you must understand that the 70Ad theory teaches that Jesus second coming was not a literally visible return but instead was spiritual return and could be seen through destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. Our Greek word used in the verse is defined as being a visible appearance or a visible manifestation. This Greek word is used only a few times in the NT. Lets take a  look at how it used. 2Tim. 1:8-10 clearly used in reference to Jesus visible appearance on the earth. In the same way that Jesus appeared visible on the earth he will appear visible when he returns 1Tim. 6:14, 2 Tim 4:1,8, Titus 2:13, 2Thess. 2:8.

 

We have other verses that clearly show that Jesus return will be a visible one and not a spiritual one. 1John 3:2 we will not on see him we will be like him Phil 3:20-21. These verses are enough to show  that the 70AD theory simply is not true. However, I have one more section of scripture that forever put to rest weather Jesus return will be visible or spiritual. Acts 1:9-11. The phrase like manner is from the Greek word tropos which means in the same way and it is used this way every single time it used in the NT Matt. 23:37 (gather up like a hen does chicks(; Lk. 13:34; Acts 1:11; 7:28 (kill me like you did the Egyptian); 15:11; 27:25; Rom. 3:2; Phil. 1:18; 2 Thess. 2:3; 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:8; Heb. 13:5; Jude 1:7. There is no way to get around this because there are no exceptions to the use of this word and we can know with all confidence that Jesus will come again visible just as he ascended to heaven visible. Finally John tells us in Revelation 1:7 that every eye will see him when he comes. I don’t think  I will ever understand why people get so wrapped up in the 70AD theory.

 

Paul is charging or strongly urging Timothy to preach the word and to ready to do it in season and out of season. Not only should a preacher be ready all the time to preach the word every Christian should be ready to share with others the word of God as well. 1Pet 3:15.  There are 3 things  he is to accomplish in his preaching Convice or reprove means to correct someone by preaching the truth Rebuke here has the idea of strongly showing someone their fault. Exhort means to encourage to build up yet all 3 of these things are to be done with long suffering and teaching. This is one of the hardest things for Christians and preachers alike is to be patient with the people your teaching and not to lose you cool or you will loose you effectiveness with that person.

 

3-5 This itching of the ears has been described as how a dog loves to have his ears scratched. People do this  all the time. If they don’t like what the Bible says because it goes against their lifestyle they will go to some place that teaches what they want to  hear. Isa 30:9-10. It says they will turn away from the truth and be turned to fables. He warns Timothy to be watchful in all things in other words don’t let yourself get caught up in this apostasy instead endure your afflictions and fulfill you ministry as a evangelist. Some like to call Timothy a Pastor but he was not he was minister or an evangelist.

 

6 Here Paul is stating that he is ready to die for the lord or that he is going to be sacrificed for his belief in God. Paul says the same thing in Philp 2:17. Paul was not afraid to die even when he was going in to Jerusalem after his 3rd missionary journey and the prophet Agabus told Paul that he would be bound and delivered to the Gentiles he told the prophet an the people there not only am I ready to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord.  Gen 35:15 The drink offering is idea from the OT in which they would pour out wine on the alter before a sacrfice.  Jacob did it at the place he called Bethel Numbers 15:9-10 It was to be done before an animal was sacrificed. Numbers 28: 6-7 tells us that the drink offering is to be poured out. Also 2 Kings 16:13. He felt very sure that his departure was at hand. 

 

7-8 Paul had ever confidence that he had been a faithful Christian because he had kept the faith had ran the race in such a way that he knew he would receive his crown of righteousness. Many times Paul alluded to Christianity as a race in fact lets take a look at one example in 1Cor. 9:24-27. Paul want Timothy and for us to know that this crown is not just for Paul but it is for everybody who will love the appearing of Jesus Christ. If I asked the question are you ready for Jesus to come right now? Would you say yes or would you hesitate because your not sure. Another good question would be are you running the race in such a way that you feel confident that you will receive your crown of righteousness?  If you not running the race as you should you need to remember the Christ could come at anytime. So don’t forget to fight the good fight of faith and knowing that there is crown to be had after this life is over.

 

9-12 Paul didn’t know how much longer he had so he wanted Timothy to come to him quickly. We notice that Demas had forsaken or abandoned Paul because he loved the world more than to remain a faithful Christian. This is truly sad because before this second imprisonment Demas was considered a faithful Christian as he was mentioned a couple of times by Paul. Col 4:14, Philemon 1:24. It always sad to see someone who was once a faithful Christian to turn away from God back to the world. Crescens only mentioned here went to Galatia and Titus wen th Damatia. At the time Paul wrote this letter only Luke was with him. Paul wanted Timothy to Get Mark and bring him because he was useful to Paul for ministry. If you remember Mark had departed from Paul and Barnabus on their first missionary journey and Paul did not want to take Mark on the 2nd journey. Now we can see from the verse that things had changed in Marks life that Paul now thought that Mark could be useful for ministry. Tychicus was a fellow companion of Paul and he considered him to be a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant of the lord Col 4:7-8. Paul sent Tychicus to various churches to give news of Pauls affairs. It is also possible that Tychicus is the one who was delivering this very letter to Timothy and would probably take Timothys place while Timothy made his way to Paul.

 

13 Paul had left his cloak and his books which would be scrolls of some sort and his parchments which would be stretched animal skins for writing on with Carpus at Troas and he wanted Timothy to bring them to him.

 

14-15 There are 5 different passages that mention a man named Alexander (Mk. 15:21; Acts 4:6; 19:33; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:14). We are not for sure which Alexander he is referring to but it could possible be the same one he had delivered over to satin in 1Tim 1:20. The point is this not only will Jesus reward those who are faithful at his coming he will also deal with those who stand against the word of God like Alexander did. 2 Thes 1:8 says that Jesus will take Flaming firery vengence on those who don’t know God and on those who disobey God.

 

16 We see that Paul had already had one trial and no one stood with him but just like Jesus on the cross and Stephen we see Pauls forgiving spirit that this not be held against those people who abandoned him on this first trial.

 

17-18 Even though people may forsake you in your time of need God will never forsake you. Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Paul knew that he could trust in God and be strengthened by him that why he said he could do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philp 4:13. Paul was also delivered out of the mouth of the lion which was how a lot of Christians were killed during that time.

 

19-20 What interesting is that Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus. When read through the NT and you see the miraculous healings you very rarely see them done on a person who was a Christian instead they were usually done on non Christians. The same thing happened with Epaphroditus he almost died from his sickness but he did not have anyone lay hands on him in Philp 2:25-26.

 

21 Paul want Timothy to get there before winter because if he doesn’t he would have to wait until after winter to get there.

 

22. Final greetings We have no idea if Timothy made there in time or not and these are the last words that we know of that Paul penned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

epiphaneia {ep-if-an'-i-ah}

 

2 Timothy 1: 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,  9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,  10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

 

1 Timothy 6: 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,

 

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

 

2 Timothy 4: 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

 

Titus 2:13  13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

 

2 Thessalonians 2:8   8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

 

 

 

 

 

1 John 3:2  2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

 

Philippians 3:20-21  20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

 

Acts 1:11  1 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

 

“like manner” is from the Greek word “tropos” which means in the same way or just as. It is used this way every single time it translated in the NT. Matt. 23:37 (gather you up like a hen does its chicks(; Lk. 13:34; Acts 1:11; 7:28 (kill me like you did the Egyptian); 15:11; 27:25; Rom. 3:2; Phil. 1:18; 2 Thess. 2:3; 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:8; Heb. 13:5; Jude 1:7.