Additional Notes §12
§12 Final Charge to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:1–5)
Paul now brings to a conclusion the long appeal that makes up the larger part of this letter. This appeal began in 1:6 and was picked up again in 3:10 after the interlude on the false teachers in 2:14–3:9; but it now takes the form of a solemn charge (v. 1) followed by nine imperatives (five in v. 2 and four in v. 5).
The first set of imperatives (v. 2) repeats the concerns about Timothy’s own ministry and flows directly out of the preceding appeal. This is followed (vv. 3–4) by one more statement of the reason for it, the errors of the false teachers—although in this case it is the people themselves who are in view. The final set of imperatives (v. 5), which stands in contrast to verses 3–4, is more personal, although Timothy’s ministry is still clearly in view.
Since this charge is grammatically tied to verses 6–8 (“Fulfill your ministry, for I am already about to be poured out as a drink offering”), those verses will give us the clue to much of this section. Paul knows he is about to die. This charge, therefore, though made against the backdrop of the situation in Ephesus, looks far beyond that. Here we have a kind of changing of the guard, the word of a dying man to his heir apparent. To use the athletic metaphor of verses 7–8, it is the passing of the baton. The whole paragraph needs to be read with this reality in view.
4:1 / The opening words of this sentence (I give you this charge; cf. 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 2:14) turn the preceding appeal into a final solemn charge for Timothy to stay by his ministry under any and all circumstances. The language of the charge, which has clear affinities to those in 1 Timothy 5:21 and 6:13, is given a very highly charged eschatological setting. The basis of the oath is fourfold: God, Christ, the Second Coming, and the eternal kingdom. That is, as one whose life is lived out in the very presence of God and of Christ Jesus (see disc. on 1 Tim. 5:21) and is accountable to them, and in light of the certainty of Christian eschatological realities, Timothy is solemnly charged to fulfill the responsibilities of his God-given ministry, especially that of proclaimer of the gospel. (Note the similar eschatological perspective in vv. 6–8, esp. v. 8.)
The eschatological thrust of the charge is begun by the qualifier added to Christ Jesus, namely, who will judge the living and the dead. This terminology, which was unique to Christians (cf. Acts 10:42; 1 Pet. 4:5), very soon became a semicreedal formula (Barnabas 7:2; Polycarp, Philippians 2:1; 2 Clement 1:1; cf. the Apostle’s Creed). It was based on the conviction that he who appeared once to save will appear a second time to complete that salvation and for judgment (cf. also Acts 17:31 and 2 Cor. 5:10). Thus he will judge both those who are alive at his appearing and those whose death has preceded it and who will be raised for judgment.
Having mentioned the future judgment, Paul elaborates by adding and in view of his appearing [cf. 1 Tim. 6:14; Titus 2:13] and his kingdom. Although the Greek is rough here (Paul has mixed two constructions, a prepositional phrase and two objective modifiers, following the verb “to solemnly charge”), his intent is clear enough. In light of Christ’s coming (cf. 4:8), followed by his eternal kingdom (cf. 4:18)—eschatological realities related to Christ’s being the judge of the living and the dead—Timothy should pay special heed to this final charge. After all, all of them, he himself, the false teachers, and the people, will have to give a final account at Christ’s appearing.
4:2 / The charge itself is a series of five imperatives. The first, preach the Word (see disc. on 1 Tim. 4:5 for “the gospel message” as the proper understanding of “the logos of God” in the PE), is the rubric for the others. Above all else, Timothy must proclaim the message of the gospel, which here has the same effect as the charge to “guard the deposit” in 1 Timothy 6:20 and 2 Timothy 1:14. This is what the whole appeal from 1:6 to 3:17 is all about.
Furthermore, he is to be prepared in season and out of season. This is very close to the KJV’s famous, “Be instant in season, out of season.” Unfortunately what Paul intends is not all that clear. The verb is probably best translated “stand by it” (D-C) or “keep at it” (Kelly), that is, your proclaiming of the Word. The double adverbs (eukairōs, akairōs) are either subjective (having to do with Timothy) or objective (having to do with his hearers). If the former, which was how Chrysostom understood it, then it means that he should stay with the task whether it is convenient or not. If the latter, then it means that he should stand by it “whether or not the preaching comes at a convenient time for the hearers.” In the context, especially in light of what follows, the latter is probably intended, although it just may have to do with Timothy’s reticence (cf. 1:6–7).
The final three imperatives, correct, rebuke and encourage, are related to the various aspects of his task as proclaimer of the Word. He is to correct (better, “rebuke,” as in 3:16; Titus 1:13; 2:15) those in error; rebuke (perhaps, “warn”) those who do not heed the correction; and finally “exhort” (or “urge,” not encourage; see disc. on 1 Tim. 2:1; 5:1; 6:2) them all.
He is to do these final three tasks with great patience and careful instruction. Patience is required because of what will be said next—not all will give heed to him. Nonetheless he must always patiently hold forth the truth (i.e., teach with … careful instruction).
4:3–4 / This sentence begins with an explanatory for and gives the reasons for the nature of the charge in verse 2: “Proclaim the message; stay by it no matter what comes; in so doing, rebuke, warn, and exhort, with all patience, for the time will come …”
As with 3:1–5 and 1 Timothy 4:1–2, the present reality is seen as a future event as well. This is again related to the concept of the increase of evil with the approach of the End, which, as evidenced by the situation in Ephesus, has already begun. But in this case it probably also represents the passing-of-the-baton nature of this final charge. Timothy is to carry on Paul’s ministry in a world in which there is no promise of eager response—even on the part of God’s people.
The description is a familiar one; however, in this case it focuses on the believers themselves, rather than the false teachers, and it clearly lays some of the blame at their feet—despite the emphasis heretofore on their being deceived (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1–2; 5:15; 6:5; 2 Tim. 3:6–7, 13). The description is given in two pairs of contrasts.
First, they will not put up with sound doctrine (see disc. on 1 Tim. 1:10; cf. 6:3); rather in order to suit their own desires (cf. 3:6; 1 Tim. 6:9), they will gather around them a great number of teachers (which of course is what 1 Timothy and much of 2 Timothy is all about) to say what their itching ears want to hear. This latter, very pejorative, expression is a metaphor for “curiosity, that looks for interesting and spicy bits of information” (BAGD) and therefore fits the speculative, dilettantish nature of the false teachings (see disc. on 1 Tim. 1:4; 2 Tim. 3:6–7).
This is further elaborated, secondly, in what are by now familiar terms. On the one hand, they will turn their ears away from the truth, that is, the gospel (see 1 Tim. 6:5; Titus 1:14; 2 Tim. 2:18; 3:7–8); on the other hand, they will turn aside to myths (see 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; Titus 1:14). This is the final word in these letters about the false teachings, and it is very much like the first word (1 Tim. 1:3–7). The errorists and their followers have simply abandoned truth for a lie. And there is no promise to Timothy that things will get better after Paul’s death.
4:5 / As throughout the letters, the mention of those going astray calls for a contrasting word to Timothy. With a but you (su de, “but as for you”; cf. 2:1; 3:10, 14; 1 Tim. 6:11) Paul resumes the final charge with four more imperatives.
Keep your head in all situations. This verb literally means to “stay sober,” calling for Timothy to maintain control of himself. The people will go after anything because they have “itching ears.” But you must keep on the alert so as not to be taken in.
Endure hardship brings Timothy back to a common theme in this letter (1:8; 2:2; 3:12) and prepares him for Paul’s final testimony that follows. As before, it appears in the context of proclaiming the gospel.
Do the work of an evangelist. This noun, evangelist, is found elsewhere in the NT in Ephesians 4:11 and Acts 21:8. Here it simply recalls the imperative with which this charge began (v. 2, “preach the message”).
Discharge all the duties of your ministry. With this fitting imperative, which embraces all the preceding and beyond—Paul brings the charge to a close. Paul, as we will see, is about to leave the scene, and the mantle of his ministry is going to fall on Timothy. Therefore, this imperative takes on special urgency, as he moves to give his last will and testament (vv. 6–8). As Hendriksen nicely puts it: This set of imperatives, in serving as an introduction to verses 6–8, “draws a contrast between Timothy, still in the thick of the fight, and Paul who has fought the grand fight” (p. 312).
4:1 / The majority of manuscripts, the earliest, however, coming from the ninth century, have specifically spelled out the intended tie of this paragraph with what has preceded by adding a “therefore.”
4:2 / There is contemporary evidence for the verb translated be prepared to be a military metaphor. Thus the NEB margin translates, “Be on duty at all times.” While that is a distinct possibility, there is no need from the context itself to see the verb as a metaphor here.