2 Timothy 4:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do your best to come to me soon.

NIV: Do your best to come to me quickly,

NASB: Make every effort to come to me soon;

CSB: Make every effort to come to me soon,

NLT: Timothy, please come as soon as you can.

KJV: Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

NKJV: Be diligent to come to me quickly;

This short verse expresses some urgency. Paul not only asks for a visit, but one soon, and with Timothy's best efforts. Paul deeply desired for Timothy to visit him before his death. Paul will also request that Timothy bring Mark with him (2 Timothy 4:11), as well as Paul's cloak, books, and parchments (2 Timothy 4:13). Paul was all alone at this time with the exception of Luke (2 Timothy 4:11) and longed for friends to visit.

The time of this writing was likely in the fall. This can be determined since Paul was asking for his cloak (2 Timothy 4:13) and urged Timothy to come before winter (2 Timothy 4:21). Since Timothy would need to sail in the Mediterranean to come to Paul, it meant he needed to leave before sailing became too difficult in winter weather, usually late October. A time frame of early fall, in the last year of Paul's life, most likely AD 65, is the probable time Paul offered these important words.

Second Timothy 4:9–18 updates Timothy on Paul's ministry partners, as well as his antagonists. Some of Paul's friends have been sent out on missionary causes. Others, such as Demas, have turned their back on Paul and abandoned him. Only Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, is still with him. Paul specifically warns Timothy about Alexander the coppersmith. Paul knows full well that he will not survive this trip through the Roman legal system. Rather than despair, he still rejoices in his salvation and praises 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 5/8/2024 6:08:32 AM