2 Timothy 4
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul charges Timothy before God to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season," because the time will come when people "will not endure sound doctrine." He says, "the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith," and a crown of righteousness awaits him and "all them also that love his appearing." He asks Timothy to come quickly, for many have left him, but "the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." 2 Timothy 4:12 Timothy 4:22 Timothy 4:32 Timothy 4:62 Timothy 4:72 Timothy 4:82 Timothy 4:92 Timothy 4:102 Timothy 4:162 Timothy 4:172 Timothy overview
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Paul and Timothy; Demas, Crescens, Titus, Luke, Mark and Tychicus; Carpus; Alexander the coppersmith; Prisca and Aquila; the household of Onesiphorus; Erastus and Trophimus; and Eubulus, Pudens, Linus and Claudia. 2 Timothy 4:102 Timothy 4:112 Timothy 4:122 Timothy 4:132 Timothy 4:142 Timothy 4:192 Timothy 4:202 Timothy 4:212 Timothy overview
Where
Demas has gone to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; Tychicus is sent to Ephesus. Paul left his cloke at Troas, Erastus stayed at Corinth, and Trophimus was left sick at Miletum. 2 Timothy 4:102 Timothy 4:122 Timothy 4:132 Timothy 4:20ThessalonicaGalatiaDalmatiaEphesusTroasCorinthMiletus2 Timothy overview
When
Paul writes as one "ready to be offered," asking Timothy to come "before winter." Traditionally about AD 64-67, during a second imprisonment in Rome shortly before Paul's death. Many scholars hold that the letter was written after Paul's death by a follower writing in his name, about AD 80-100; others accept that Paul wrote it. 2 Timothy 4:62 Timothy 4:212 Timothy overview
How it fits
Chapter 3 ended with the Scriptures that furnish "the man of God"; here Timothy is charged to preach that word. This is the letter's last chapter, ending with greetings and "Grace be with you." 2 Timothy 3:162 Timothy 3:172 Timothy 4:22 Timothy 4:222 Timothy overview
Key verses
- Verse 2
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:22 Timothy 4:3
- Verse 7
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." James 1:12 also promises "the crown of life" to the one who endures. 2 Timothy 4:62 Timothy 4:72 Timothy 4:8James 1:12
- Verse 17
"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me," when "no man stood with me, but all men forsook me." 2 Timothy 4:162 Timothy 4:17
Takeaway
Preach the word faithfully whether or not people want it, and finish your course; when others leave, the Lord stands with his servants. 2 Timothy 4:22 Timothy 4:72 Timothy 4:17
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.
Preach the word
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
I have finished my course
6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Come shortly: deserted, but the Lord stood with me
9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Greetings
19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.