It may not seem to make any difference at the moment, but the time is coming when “the Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom”.v.1Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:1 This was the day to which the apostle anticipated for he knew that he had “fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith”.v.7Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:7 He could confidently say: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day”. This is the true hope of the Christian - the return of Jesus from heaven as judge to give reward to the saints for, as the apostle said, the crown of righteousness will be given in that day to “all them also that love his appearing”.v.8Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:8 Many of the disciples were unfaithful, vs.9-16Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:9-16 although some were loyal,vs.10-11Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:10-11 but Paul was preserved by the Lord to preach the gospel.v.17Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:17 His ultimate hope and confidence, like that of all the true disciples of Jesus, was that “the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom [to be restored to Israel at the return of Jesus]: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”.v.18Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:18
Verses 1-4
Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:1-4In view of the widespread apostasy from the Truth mentioned in the last chapter, Paul charged Timothy v.1Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:1 to “preach the word” continually; to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”, because “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables”.vs.2-4Waiting for response for 2 Timothy 4:2-4 The disciples of Jesus should receive the word of God as instruction even if it is unpalatable to the flesh, but many disciples sought teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear, and they refused to listen to God’s word.