Catholic Commentary on 2 Timothy 4

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Preach the Word

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and kingdom, Paul charges Timothy: preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But Timothy is to keep his head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of his ministry. The urgency of the charge is underscored by its context: Paul knows he is about to die, and he wants Timothy to know what to do when his voice is gone.

I Have Kept the Faith

For Paul is already being poured out like a drink offering and the time of his departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to him on that day, and not only to him but to all who have longed for his appearing. The three-fold statement is the Christian's ultimate résumé. Not I have built a great ministry, not I have had many spiritual experiences, not I have produced impressive results. I have fought, I have finished, I have kept. Faithfulness to the end is the whole of it.

Paul asks Timothy to come quickly, to bring Mark, to bring the cloak he left at Troas and his scrolls. Personal, particular, human: the great apostle needs his coat and his books. He warns about Alexander the coppersmith who did him great harm. The Lord will repay him. He forgives but names the damage. At Paul's first defence no one came to support him, but the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength. The Lord will rescue him for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. This is the goal. Not impressive statistics, not wide influence, not recognition from the world. The three verbs of faithful endurance: fought, finished, kept. Begin working toward this résumé today. Fight the fight in front of you. Run today's stretch of the race. Keep the faith through this week. One day at a time, the crown of righteousness is built.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, righteous Judge, you will award the crown of righteousness to all who have longed for your appearing. Let us fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith. Stand at our side and give us strength when no one else comes. And to you be glory forever and ever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4
Preach the Word
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
 
3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
 
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Personal Concerns
 
9 Make every effort to come to me quickly, 10 because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry. 12 Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
 
14 Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.
The Lord Remains Faithful
 
16 At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
(Ephesians 6:21–24; Philippians 4:21–23)
 
19 Greet Prisca * 4:19 Prisca is a variant of Priscilla; see Acts 18:2. and Aquila, as well as the household of Onesiphorus.
 
20 Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.
 
21 Make every effort to come to me before winter.
 
Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
 
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.† 4:22 BYZ and TR include Amen.

*4:19 4:19 Prisca is a variant of Priscilla; see Acts 18:2.

†4:22 4:22 BYZ and TR include Amen.

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