2 Timothy 4:1-8
I Have Finished the Race
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1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
4So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Berean Standard Bible
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Paul charges Timothy before God and Christ Jesus, the Judge of the living and the dead. Christ's appearing and kingdom give lasting weight to Timothy's work. He must preach the word whether the occasion is convenient or difficult, correcting, rebuking and encouraging with patient instruction.
Some listeners will refuse sound teaching and collect teachers who tell them what they want to hear. Their desires will draw them from truth toward myths. Timothy must remain sober, endure hardship, proclaim the gospel and fulfill his ministry even when pleasing the audience would be easier.
Paul's own life is nearing its end. He describes it as being poured out like a drink offering and says the time of his departure is at hand. He has fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. His hope looks beyond death to the Lord's righteous judgment.
The crown of righteousness awaits him, but the promise is not limited to an apostle with his history. It belongs to all who long for Christ's appearing. The Lord gives the reward; Paul's faithful endurance has not been pointless. Timothy can continue his work with that same hope, seeking the approval of Christ rather than the approval of a restless audience.
Questions
1 How must Timothy preach the word?
AnswerHe must be ready in favorable and difficult times, correcting, rebuking and encouraging with patience and careful instruction before God.
2 Why will some people reject sound teaching?
AnswerThey will seek teachers who suit their own desires, turning away from the truth toward myths that tell them what they want.
3 How does Paul describe his approaching death?
AnswerHe speaks of being poured out like a drink offering and of his departure being near, having finished the race and kept the faith.
4 Who will receive the crown Paul expects?
AnswerThe righteous Lord will award it to Paul and to all who long for Christ's appearing. This hope extends beyond Paul's own ministry.
What This Means for Us
Pay attention when a teaching attracts you mainly because it excuses something you want. Let Scripture challenge that desire, and support teachers who patiently tell the truth even when it is unwelcome.
Continue a responsibility God has given you when applause or quick results are absent. Christ's appearing gives faithful service a future beyond what you can see today.
Prayer
Righteous Lord, keep us faithful to Your word when it challenges us. Strengthen those who teach, sustain them through hardship and help us finish our service with hope in Your appearing. Amen.