2 Timothy chapter 4

vs 1

Whatever Paul is about to say, in the context of judgement and eternity it is going to be important.

vs 2

Again the call for patience is made when instructing others. The word "careful" isn't in the greek (that I have).

"In season" is literally eukairos, which means 'seasonably' or 'when the opportunity occurs'. So Paul's idiom here means to preach the word whether there is an opportunity or not. It's not like there was "a season for preaching" or anything - he's just saying preach it all the time. And this isn't necessarily an evangelistic sort of preaching - simply proclaiming the truth of Christ. Preaching about the good news is actually a different greek word.

vs 3

Yes, people do that now too. Those nutters who think the KJV is the only true Bible and all other Bible translations are of the devil like to band together and buy each others' books and scratch each others' ears. In pointing them out I am perfectly in line with this verse - as they have abandoned sound doctrine. Why? Because it suits them to have the "one true holy translation". That's what they desire.

Of course, that's not the controversy that Paul was talking about, but it's a commonplace enough one in Australia (perhaps Queensland) to cause trouble.

vs 4

This is one important thing to look out for - when people start heavily relying on extra-biblical materials for their arguments, or from generally accepted rules and methods of Bible interpretation, or just plain old rumours and myths - that's when you know this stuff is happening. Quite often the whole thing gets mixed in and it's hard to separate - so you'll have someone who knows the evangelical statement of faith, but who also believes the Catholic church controls Islam, and that the KJV is the only true translation, and they usually also have a whacked out view of eschatology, and a whole other bunch of craziness tied up too (regarding JFK or the Martin Bryant killings or whatever - almost every church has one of these nutters, and I've meet heaps of them. I'm like a nut-magnet).

vs 5

"Keep your head" is literally 'be sober'. "Endure hardship" is literally 'endure evil'. But as you can see, the translation suffices to give the meaning in both. Here is the call to evangelism for Timothy, along with fulfilling the duties of the ministry he was called to (helping to lead the Ephesian church I guess, or more generally the work of preaching from the gifts given to him).

vs 6

Paul knows his time is short. The sentence may have already been passed, or he might just feel it in his bones. Information like this helps us date the book.

vs 7

Paul is joyful because he is satisfied that he has done his bit. This is not always the case with strongmen of the faith - people like John Wesley, who did incredible things for the Lord in the midst of much opposition, sometimes die completely unsure if they have served the Lord faithfully. I think it was Wesley who spent his dying days taking communion daily and worrying that he didn't devote his life to Christ enough. Paul wasn't worried.

vs 8

So Paul is not just aware, but joyfully awaiting the Day of the Lord, when he knows that he will be rewarded for his faithfulness. To him, that day is such a reality and so to look forward to that it fills him with joy. And that's not just for him, he reminds us. Paul isn't some special saint that gets benefits we don't. All who long for Christ's appearing should have the same joy.

vs 9

Now Paul shares his true heart with Timothy. He wants him to be close, because he knows he's not long for this world.
vs 10

Others, whose names we may or may not have heard throughout Scripture, have departed from him. Not necessarily departed from God - just gone to do other work. They may have left him thinking they had time to spare, but not being aware that his sentencing took place when they were gone. Who knows.

vs 11

Luke stayed with him though, and he surely finds that encouraging.

Paul also calls for Mark - the person who he ditched because he was unreliable, and which split up the Paul-Barnabas duo. But he doesn't want to rebuke him. Instead, Paul sees Mark as useful to his ministry.

vs 12

Not everyone abandoned him - he sent Tychicus away (although it would seem if he went to Ephesus he was probably bringing this letter to Timothy, and would bring him back). Paul doesn't care about interrupting people's ministry, you see - he thinks he deserves to have some personal, relational support during this time in which he is suffering. And he's not afraid to call it in either. Visits to people in need or who are suffering hardship or enduring evil are so worth it.