2 Timothy 4:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.

NIV: Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

NASB: Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

CSB: Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

NLT: Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

KJV: Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

NKJV: Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

This verse focuses on two themes. First, Paul urges Timothy to come to him in Rome, something he has already requested once in this letter (2 Timothy 4:9). It appears Paul wrote sometime in the fall, urging Timothy to come before winter weather shut down sea travel.

Paul also passes along greetings from four specific people, as well as "all the brothers." There appears to have been many more Christians in Rome than when Paul had written his letter to the Romans approximately a decade earlier. The ministries of Paul, Peter (1 Peter 5:13), and other Christians had led to rapid growth among believers in the Empire's capital. Little is known about these four individuals with the exception of Linus. In the writings of the church father Irenaeus, Linus is mentioned as the first bishop of Rome after the deaths of Peter and Paul. Timothy apparently already knew these four people.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 6:18:43 AM