Day 200 – Tuesday, October 7, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

2 Timothy 4

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Preach the Word

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 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

(2 Timothy 4:1–5, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul here follows up on his discussion of truth and the power of Scripture by commanding that Timothy preach the word at every opportunity. Be ready at all times.
• He told him to be forceful with his preaching, convicting of sin and pressing people patiently to walk in faith. He will face people who do not want to hear the truth, but he must press on and help them see the truth.

Paul’s Valedictory

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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. 

(2 Timothy 4:6–8, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul then told Timothy that his end was near, that he was waning. Paul celebrated that he had fought well, and that his race was nearly finished.
• Paul longed for the reward that awaited him in heaven. The Lord would welcome him and all who were saved.

The Abandoned Apostle

⁹ Be diligent to come to me quickly; ¹⁰ for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. ¹³ Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 

(2 Timothy 4:9–16, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul asked Timothy to come see him. Others had forsaken him, and he felt alone. He asked Timothy to bring Mark to him, saying he was useful to him now. He had parted ways with Barnabus over Mark earlier, but was now of a different opinion.
• Paul recounted those who had forsaken him, and the lonely spot in which he found himself at his first appearance before Caesar.

The Lord is Faithful

¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸ And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 

(2 Timothy 4:17–18, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul then made it clear that the Lord had always stood with him and strengthened him.
• He had continued to minister to the Gentiles, and was delivered from bondage eventually. He gave God great glory.

Come Before Winter

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

²¹ Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. 

(2 Timothy 4:19–21, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul sent greetings to many of the saints, and then requested that Timothy make his visit before winter. This could have been a statement about the time of year, or else a statement that Paul did not have much time left before his “winter.”

Farewell

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. 

(2 Timothy 4:22, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Finally, Paul sent Timothy a blessing of the present of Christ and His grace and close out the second letter to Timothy.
• This book seems to be the last letter written by Paul. This could very likely have been just before his execution by Nero in Rome.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.