PAUL’S FAREWELL MESSAGE
II TIM. 4:1-22–II TIMOTHY LESSON 4
II TIM. 4:1-22–II TIMOTHY LESSON 4
—by E. L. Bynum
Memory Verse: II Tim. 4:7 (N.W. Titus 1:9) Lesson: II Tim. 4:1-22
I. THE LAST CHARGE AND THE APOSTASY. v. 1-5
A. A Serious Charge. v. 1-2
1. The solemn witnesses to the charge. v. 1
a. The Father and the Son.
b. The Son will judge when He comes to establish His kingdom.
2. The solemn charge. v. 2
a. Preaching the Word at all times. v.2a. When it is favorable and when it is not favorable. Eccl. 11:4, He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall riot reap. Preach is in the imperative mood, which means it is a command that must be obeyed. Preach means to proclaim as a herald publicly with gravity and authority.
b. Preach the Word to rebuke and help the listeners. v. 2b. See 1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13; 2:15. Reprove to bring conviction. Rebuke to give warning. Exhort to make an appeal.
c. He is to be patient (longsuffering) with those to whom he is preaching.
d. His message is to be doctrine, which is the explanation and application of Bible doctrine. There is nothing else to preach.
B. The Purpose Of The Charge. v. 3-4
1. The apostates will not endure sound doctrine. v. 3a
2. The apostates will promote false teachers. v. 3b. A large congregation may be a sign that there is a lot of ear tickling of itching ears.
3. The apostates will turn their ears away from the truth. v. 4a
4. The apostates will turn to fables or myths. v. 4b
C. The Sober Advice To The Charged. V. 5
1. He is to be watchful and alert, and not sleeping.
2. He is to endure afflictions patiently. II Cor. 6:1-10; II Tim. 3:10-12. Most of his afflictions would come from the religious crowd. They are the ones that cried out for the crucifixion of Jesus.
3. He is to do the work of an evangelist. This is preaching the gospel to the lost. Acts 20:17-21 presents what a balanced ministry should be.
4. He is to make full proof of his ministry. He is to put his hand to the plow, and not look back, but go on for God.
II. HIS LAST TESTIMONY OF THREE DAYS. v. 6-8
A. TODAY (Present)Testimony of a Finished Work. v. 6
1. He was ready for the martyrs death. v. 6
a. “Offered” means poured out on the altar as a drink offering.
b. “Departure” means as to hoist an anchor and to set sail. II Cor.5:1-8
c. “Departure” can also refer to the releasing of a prisoner. Phil. 2:7-8. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, arid was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
2. He was ready to depart and to be with Christ. v. 6
B. YESTERDAY (Past)Testimony of a Finished War. v. 7
1. As a soldier he had fought a good spiritual warfare. See Eph. 6:10-18; I Tim. 6:12; II Tim. 2:3-4.
2. As an athlete he had finished the race. Acts 20:24, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Phil. 3:1314, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
3. As a steward he had kept the faith. Keep in mind that without v. 7, Paul could not have stated v. 6.
C. TOMORROW (Future)Anticipation of a Future Reward. v. 8
1. The promised crown that would never fade away. v. 8a
2. The promised coming. v. fib. See v. 1.
III. HIS LAST PERSONAL MESSAGES. v. 9-22
A. Paul’s Faithful Warnings. v. 9-15
1. Advice concerning fellow workers. v. 9-13
a. He advised Timothy to come shortly (before winter v. 21). v. 9
b. He advised of Demas’ defection. v. 10. He had tasted the powers of the world to come. Heb. 6:5, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. He preferred this present evil world. Gal. 1:4, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.
c. He advised Timothy of the departure of the faithful. v. 10-12. Dalmatia is now Yugoslavia.
d. He advised Timothy to bring Mark. v. 11. Mark had failed before, but now he was profitable to Paul. Acts 13:5, 13, And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. and they had also John to their minister. Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
e. Tychicus was with him during his first imprisonment. v. 12; Eph. 6:21-22, But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Col. 4:7-8, All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts.
f. He advised Timothy to bring the cloke, the books, and the parchments. v. 13. The cloke was needed for the coming winter. The books and parchments were O.T. Scriptures and study materials that a Bible scholar would need.
2. Advice concerning evil workers. v. 14-15
a. Alexander did much evil. v . 14
b. The Lord would judge his evil. v. 14
c. Timothy is to beware of him, because he withstood sound doctrine. v. 15
B. Paul’s Faithful Lord. v. 16-18
1. The unfaithfulness of men. v. 16
2. The faithfulness of the Lord. v. 17-18
a. The Lord stood with him. v. 17a
b. The Lord strengthened him. v. 17b
c. The Lord’s purpose in him. v. 17c
d. The Lord delivered him. v. 18. A lion is the symbol of Satan. I Pet. 5 :8, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Psa. 22:21, Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
C . Paul’s Faithful Friends . v. 19-22
1. Faithful friends are saluted. v. 19. Priscilla and Aquila were husband and wife, and had assisted Paul many times. Rom. 16:3-4, Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. I Cor. 16:19, The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. Acts 18:1-3, After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Acts 18:24-28, And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, strewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Now they were in Ephesus helping Timothy.
2. Faithful friends located. v. 20. Trophimus was sick. Why did not Paul heal him? It is not always God’s will to heal.
3. Faithful friend Timothy longed for. v. 21c
4. Faithful friends send greetings . v . 21b
5. Invocation for faithful friends. v. 22
—by E. L. Bynum
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Paul charged Timothy to Preach the____________________________?
2. Paul charged Timothy in the presence of whom?
3. Preaching the word includes rebuke and what else?
4. During the prophesied last days, what will they do with sound doctrine?
5. What kind of teachers will they seek?
6. They will be turned from truth to_____________________________?
7. They will turn from the truth to_____________________________?
8. Timothy is told to do the work of an______________________?
9. Name the 3 days that Paul lived for!