2 Timothy 4 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Chapter Four

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the need for diligence in preaching the word of God

2) To note the satisfaction Paul had in looking back over his service 
   to Christ, and the confidence he possessed as he looked forward to
   the Judgment Day and the heavenly kingdom

SUMMARY

The final chapter begins with a charge for Timothy to preach the word
at all times.  The time was coming when people would not listen to
sound doctrine, but instead follow teachers who would tell what they
wanted to hear.  Timothy was therefore to be watchful, to endure what
afflictions might come his way, and to do the work as an evangelist as
he fulfilled his ministry (1-5).

Knowing that his own end was near, Paul expresses personal satisfaction
that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the 
faith.  He is confident that there is laid up for him that crown of 
righteousness which the Lord will give to all who have loved His 
appearing (6-8).

Timothy is then told to be diligent to come quickly.  Only Luke is with
Paul as he writes, for Demas has forsaken him and others have left to 
go to other places.  Requests are made, one related to getting Mark and
bringing him along, followed by a warning about Alexander the 
coppersmith.  A reference is made concerning those who forsook Paul at 
his first defense, for whom Paul prays it might not be charged against 
them.  During that time the Lord stood by Paul, and he is confident 
that the Lord would deliver him from every evil work and preserve him
for the heavenly kingdom (9-18).

Timothy is then asked to relay greetings to Paul's dear friends.  Brief
references are made to Erastus and Trophimus, followed by a plea for 
Timothy to come before winter.  Finally, Paul sends greetings from 
various brethren and closes the letter with a prayer that the Lord will
be with Timothy (19-22).

OUTLINE

I. EXHORTATION TO PREACH THE WORD (1-5)

   A. A SOLEMN CHARGE (1-2)
      1. Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ (1)
         a. Who will judge the living and the dead
         b. At His appearing and His kingdom
      2. To preach the word! (2)
         a. Be ready in season and out of season
         b. Convince, rebuke, exhort
         c. With all longsuffering and teaching

   B. THE REASON FOR THIS CHARGE (3-4)
      1. The time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine
         (3)
         a. According to their own desires they will heap up for 
            themselves teachers
         b. For they will have itching ears
      2. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
         aside to fables (4)

   C. RELATED EXHORTATIONS (5)
      1. Be watchful in all things
      2. Endure afflictions
      3. Do the work of an evangelist
      4. Fulfill your ministry

II. EXHORTATION TO COME QUICKLY (6-18)

   A. HIS TIME IS COMING TO AN END (6-8)
      1. Already being poured out like a drink offering, his departure
         is at hand (6)
      2. Expressions of his faithfulness (7)
         a. He has fought the good fight
         b. He has finished the race
         c. He has kept the faith
      3. His confidence concerning the future (8)
         a. A crown of righteousness is laid up for him
         b. Which will be given by the Lord, the righteous Judge
            1) Given to him on that Day (of judgment)
            2) Given to all who have loved His appearing

   B. A PLEA TO COME QUICKLY (9-16)
      1. For Demas has forsaken him, having loved this present world
         (9-10a)
      2. Crescens and Titus have left, having gone to various places
         (10b)
      3. Only Luke is with him (11a)
      4. Bring Mark, for he is useful to Paul for ministry (11b)
      5. Tychicus has been sent to Ephesus (12)
      6. Bring the cloak and the books, especially the parchments (13)
      7. A warning against Alexander the coppersmith (14-15)
      8. He was forsaken at his first defense, but prays it will not be
         charged against them (16)

   C. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD (17-18)
      1. The Lord stood with him and strengthened him (17)
         a. So that the message was preached fully by him to the 
            Gentiles
         b. And he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion
      2. The Lord will deliver and preserve him (18)
         a. Deliver him from every evil work
         b. Preserve him for His heavenly kingdom
         -- For which glory belongs to the Lord!

III. CONCLUDING REMARKS (19-22)

   A. MISCELLANEOUS GREETINGS AND FINAL INSTRUCTIONS (19-21)
      1. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus (19)
      2. Erastus stayed in Corinth, Trophimus was left sick in Miletus
         (20)
      3. Timothy is to do his best to come before winter (21a)
      4. Greetings from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the 
         brethren (21b)

   B. BENEDICTION (22)
      1. The Lord Jesus Christ be with his spirit
      2. Grace be with him. Amen.

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Exhortation to preach the word (1-5)
   - Exhortation to come quickly (6-18)
   - Concluding remarks (19-22)

2) When will Jesus judge the living and the dead? (1)
   - At His appearing and His kingdom

3) How was Timothy to carry out the charge to preach the word? (2)
   - Be ready at all times
   - Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching

4) What would some people not endure?  What will they do instead? (3)
   - Sound doctrine
   - According to their own desires they will heap up for themselves
     teachers

5) What will they turn away from?  What will they be turned aside to?
   (4)
   - The truth
   - Fables

6) What four-fold exhortation is given to Timothy in view of such 
   things to come? (5)
   - Be watchful in all things
   - Endure afflictions
   - Do the work of an evangelist
   - Fulfill his ministry

7) What did Paul know was drawing near? (6)
   - The time of his departure

8) What three phrases does Paul use to describe his life as a 
   Christian? (7)
   - I have fought the good fight
   - I have finished the race
   - I have kept the faith

9) What did Paul expect to receive from the Lord?  Who else would 
   receive it? (8)
   - The crown of righteousness
   - All who have loved His appearing

10) What does Paul ask of Timothy? (9)
   - Come to him quickly

11) Who had forsaken Paul, and why? (10)
   - Demas, because he loved this present world

12) Who alone was with Paul when he wrote this epistle? (11)
   - Luke

13) Why did Paul want Timothy to get Mark and bring him with him? (11)
   - He was useful to Paul for service

14) What else did Paul want Timothy to bring? (13)
   - A cloak left at Troas, some books and parchments

15) Of whom did Paul warn Timothy to beware? (14-15)
   - Alexander the coppersmith

16) What did Paul desire for those who had forsook him at his first
    defense? (16)
   - That it not be charged against them

17) Who stood with Paul during his first defense and strengthened him?
    (17)
   - The Lord

18) What two things was Paul confident the Lord would do for him? (18)
   - Deliver him from every evil work
   - Preserve him for His heavenly kingdom

19) Who did Paul want Timothy to greet for him? (19)
   - Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus

20) When did Paul want Timothy to come? (21)
   - Before winter

21) Who sent greetings to Timothy by way of Paul? (21)
   - Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren

22) What did Paul pray for in behalf of Timothy as he closed this 
    letter? (22)
   - The Lord Jesus Christ be with his spirit
   - Grace be with him
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