2 Timothy 4:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

NIV: Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

NASB: Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

CSB: Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

NLT: Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus.

KJV: Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

NKJV: Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

This verse begins Paul's four-verse conclusion to his final New Testament letter. This ending is mostly a post-script, offering various greetings and other closing comments. The first two individuals mentioned are the Christian missionary couple Prisca and Aquila. Paul first met Aquila (the husband) and Prisca (also called Priscilla) in Corinth. They were Jews from Italy who had fled to Corinth during the time of Claudius when Jews had been ordered to flee Rome (Acts 18:1–2). They were tentmakers like Paul and worked together with him in Corinth (Acts 18:3) before Paul was joined by Silas and Timothy and devoted himself full-time to preaching (Acts 18:4–5).

After more than a year and a half together in Corinth, Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila left together to various locations in route to Antioch. Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos in Ephesus as well (Acts 18:24–28). They were later mentioned as leading a house church in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:19) around AD 53—54, were in Rome when Romans was written around AD 55 (Romans 16:3), and were back in Ephesus when 2 Timothy was written, sometime around AD 64—67.

The household of Onesiphorus may include his family and those in his home, including servants. Some speculate the reference to the "household" of Onesiphorus may be because he had already died by this time, though this is uncertain (2 Timothy 1:16). Others speculate exactly the opposite, since earlier portions of this letter suggest Onesiphorus might have actually been the one delivering this letter in the first place (1 Timothy 1).

Second Timothy 4:19–22 wraps up Paul's last letter to his dear friend, Timothy. Paul has already asked Timothy to quickly make a trip to see him. Despite one successful trial, Paul knows he will not leave Rome alive. Here, he once again asks Timothy not to delay in making one last trip. Paul also gives some final greetings, both his own and from others in Rome. Paul ends the letter with the same emphasis marking his life and ministry work: the grace of God.

Paul summarizes his instructions to Timothy, through a practical application of his prior teachings. Timothy is "charged" by Paul to defend his faith, against all error and false teaching, at all times. Timothy will face resistance. Paul also openly admits that his life is nearly over, so Timothy will need to soldier on without him. After this, Paul gives some personal updates about his situation, giving Timothy a few instructions and advice about particular people. Paul makes a final appeal for Timothy to visit him, then closes his letter—as he will close his life—focused on the grace of God.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.