Preach the Word
(Parallel teachings: Acts 20:18-35; 1 Timothy 4:1-16)
(Thematic parallels: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:12-14)
- 1 I solemnly charge you in the sight of God and Jesus the Anointed – the One about to judge the living and the dead – and by His appearing and His kingdom:
- 2 preach the word, be ready in season and out of season; convict with evidence, rebuke, and admonish in all patience and instruction.
- 3 For there will be a time when they won’t endure sound teaching. But with an itching ear they will gather heaps of teachers to themselves according to their own cravings,
- 4 and they will indeed turn away from hearing the truth and will be turned aside to myths.
- 5 But you: be sober in all things, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fully complete your ministry.
- 6 For I’m already poured out as a drink offering,fnquotation/allusion to Numbers 15:5-10 (also quoted/alluded to by Phil 2:17) 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, a crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord – the righteous judge – will repay to me in that day. And not only to me, but also to all the men who have ^loved His appearing.
Final instructions and greetings
- 9 Make haste to come to me quickly,
- 10 for having ^loved the present age, Demas deserted me and went to Thessalonica; Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
- 11 Only Luke is with me. And having taken Mark along, bring him with yourself for he’s useful to me in the ministry.
- 12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
- 13 When coming to me, bring the cloak that I left behind in Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
- 14 Alexander the coppersmith did much harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,fnquotation/allusion to Psalm 28:4; Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12 (also quoted/alluded to by Matt 16:27; Rom 2:6; Rev 22:12)
- 15 whom also you must watch carefully, for he greatly opposed our words.
- 16 No one was beside me in my first defense, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them.
- 17 Yet the Lord stood beside me and strengthened me, so that through me, the proclamation might be fully accomplished and all the gentiles might hear. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.fnquotation/allusion to Daniel 6:16-23, and possibly Psalm 22:21. (also quoted/alluded to by Heb 11:33)
- 18 The Lord will deliver me from every wicked deed and will preserve me for His heavenly kingdom, to whom be the glory through the ages of the ages. Amen.
- 19 Greet Priscafn“Prisca” is a more familiar, diminutive form of Priscilla. It was likely a nickname. and Aquila, also the household of Onesiphorus.
- 20 Erastus remained in Corinth. And with Trophimus being sick, I left him in Miletus.
- 21 Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers.
- 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all. [Amen]