2 TIMOTHY LESSON 6


     We will begin this lesson in II Timothy 4:1 "I charge [thee]
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;"

     The "quick", in the verse above, are speaking of those who will
be alive at the coming of the Lord. These are those who will be
changed in the twinkling of an eye. The word "therefore" connects this
chapter to the preceding chapter. In the light of all the signs of the
last days in the last chapter, this is what you are to do. Paul says,
God and the Lord Jesus Christ are my witness that I am guiding you
correctly. At His appearing means when Jesus appears in the sky to
call His children out of the great tribulation of this earth. Notice,
His kingdom is separate. That is when he sets up "His kingdom" reign
on this earth. This is the 1000 year millennium reign of Jesus Christ
upon the earth. Jesus is the Judge of the world. We are judged His, or
not His. The sheep {Christians} belong to Jesus. The rest belong to
Satan.

     II Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

     I really like the fact that Paul does not just say preach. He
says preach the Word. The Word of God {Bible} is the power of the
message. "Being instant in season and out of season" is just saying
stay ready all the time. Preach whenever and wherever you have the
opportunity. "Reprove" and "rebuke" mean to tell a fault. When you see
a brother in error, tell him. Matthew 18:15  "Moreover if thy brother
shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee
and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
"Exhort" can mean to pray, comfort, or draw near.  This is just saying
not to get weary in preaching to those who are afar off. Preach to
them, pray for them, in love, tell them of their errors, then preach
to them again. Do not give up, until they draw nigh unto God. Give
them the Truth, and do not get weary in giving the Truth. Have
patience with them and they will hear and receive.

     II Timothy 4:3 "For 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;"

     We are experiencing this in the church world today. Sound
doctrine teaches sacrifice of self. Sound doctrine teaches walking
each day in the salvation Christ has provided for you. Sound doctrine
teaches living a holy separated life to God. Sound doctrine is the
Word of God. There is a great falling away in the church today, not
only in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense, as well. Many
go to church, but want to hear a message of nothing but God's love.
They would tell us not to speak against adultery or homosexual
activity, because we will hurt some of the member's feelings. They
would have us preach things pleasant to the flesh of man. The sermon
that appeals to the flesh of mankind, is preaching to itching ears.
I would say the time Paul was speaking of in the verse above is here.
Not many want to hear about the blood of Jesus. Not many want to know
that Jesus is Judge, as well as Saviour. Not many want to hear that we
must take up our cross daily and follow Him. Most want to hear, that
when they become a Christian, all of their problems will be gone. Most
would like to hear, that when they come to God, they will never be
sick again. They want to believe that their money problems are over.
The sad thing is that we are not equipping our people to face
hardship.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world."

     II Timothy 4:4 "And they shall turn away [their] ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

     The truth of the matter is, many will turn from the Truth to a
good time religion which pleases their flesh. "Fables" are speaking of
doctrines that are not Truth. Titus 1:14 "Not giving heed to Jewish
fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth."  II Peter
1:16 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made
known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty."  We all need to devote more time to the
study of God's Word {Bible}. The Word will straighten out our,
thinking and we will not be so easily swayed with messages that Paul
would classify as fables.

     II Timothy 4:5 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

     The work of the evangelist is to save the lost. This watching in
all things means to stay grounded in the Word and be moderate. Paul
warns Timothy again, that there are afflictions associated with
serving God. The full proof is telling Timothy to not waver in his
ministry. He must be fully persuaded, and, also, give this message
without wavering from the Truth.

     II Timothy 4:6 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of
my departure is at hand."

     Paul has probably been sentenced to die, when he wrote these
words. He wanted Timothy to know that he was ready to die for the
gospel. He probably was actually looking forward to being with his
Lord and being out of this life of hardship.

     II Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my]
course, I have kept the faith:"

     This is a gross understatement. Many men would have given up long
ago. Paul's faith never wavered, regardless of the hardship he was
facing. He had ministered to the very end. God has a job for each of
us to do in this life. Paul is saying, he has done what the Lord Jesus
called him to do. He believes in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord just
as strongly at the end, as he did when he first met him on the road to
Damascus.

     II Timothy 4:8 "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at
that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing."

     Now that his work on this earth is done, he is looking forward to
standing before the Lord Jesus and hear Him say, well done, thy good
and faithful servant. The crown of righteousness is speaking of us
being in right standing before God, because the Lord Jesus has clothed
us in His righteousness. There will be a crown awaiting those who
believe. I Peter 5:4 "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

     II Timothy 4:9 "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:"

     Paul still wants to see Timothy one more time, before he departs
this earth.

     II Timothy 4:10 "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this
present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia,
Titus unto Dalmatia."

     In great time of stress, those weak in the faith will leave. It
seems from this statement, that Demas feared for his own life and left
the work he had been doing with Paul. We must remember that Nero was
having many of the Christians killed at this time. I do not believe
that Titus or Crescens left for fear. Titus was probably sent to
Dalmatia by Paul to minister.  Little is known of Crescens.

     II Timothy 4:11 "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him
with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry."

     Luke {the physician} had been faithful to God and to helping
Paul. He had been with Paul on many of his journeys and, also, here in
Rome. Luke, in the book of Acts, used "we" many times when speaking of
Paul. Mark had settled his differences with Paul and had apparently
been ministering with Timothy. We know that Paul had accepted him back
in the work, because he said he would be useful to him here.

     II Timothy 4:12 "And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus."

     It seems all of these men had been ministering under the
direction of Paul. It seems Tychicus had gone to Ephesus when Paul
could not be there himself.

     II Timothy 4:13 "The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when
thou comest, bring [with thee], and the books, [but] especially the
parchments."

     Paul, being in prison, possibly needed the cloke for warmth. It
seems that Paul had left these things, before he came back to Rome. It
would be pure speculation to try to decide what these important
parchments were.

     II Timothy 4:14 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the
Lord reward him according to his works:"

     Paul was letting the Lord take vengeance on Alexander. Paul was
truly following the Scripture. Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.

     II Timothy 4:15 "Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly
withstood our words."

     It appears this Alexander was an enemy of the gospel. This is
just a warning to Timothy to be aware of his evil.

     II Timothy 4:16 "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all
[men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their
charge."

     Fear does strange things to very strong men. We learned about
that when Peter denied Jesus. It seemed when Paul was accused, that no
one stood up for him. Paul is saying, he did not hold that against
them and hoped God would not charge them sorely for their fear, as
well.

     II Timothy 4:17 "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and
strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and
[that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion."

     When we have Jesus, we are never completely alone. The world may
abandon us, but He will never leave us, or forsake us. Paul knew the
presence of the Lord was with him. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  The Spirit of the
living God within Paul strengthened him. Paul knew that his preaching
had brought salvation to the Gentile. He was not sorry he had served
the Lord. He had been delivered over and over from the power of Satan.
That old devil walks through the earth seeking for those he can
devour. He could not devour Paul.

     II Timothy 4:18 "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil
work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be]
glory for ever and ever. Amen."

     Paul is not speaking of being saved from physical death here. He
is saying, that God will be with him and not let him fall. He is
looking forward to his heavenly rewards. He knows he will live in the
kingdom of God. When he begins to think of the wonders of heaven, he
burst out into praise. To God be the glory forever and ever.

     II Timothy 4:19 "Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of
Onesiphorus."

     Priscilla is intended by Prisca here. Priscilla and Aquilla had
been faithful to the Lord's work. Paul had lived with them when they
were all tentmakers together. Undoubtedly, Onesiphorus had been
martyred here. His household indicates that he is no longer alive.

     II Timothy 4:20 "Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I
left at Miletum sick."

     Paul is telling Timothy where all of the fellow workers are, as
if Timothy will be overseeing them after Paul's death. Notice, that
the ministers of the Word, even in that day, were sometimes sick in
their bodies.

     II Timothy 4:21 "Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus
greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the
brethren."

     Paul undoubtedly was unaware of when the execution would take
place. Winter storms would make it difficult to travel to Rome. Paul
had experienced that on his first trip to Rome. These mentioned here,
were Christians in Rome. They could have been, also, workers in the
church there, since they are mentioned separate from the brethren.

     II Timothy 4:22 "The Lord Jesus Christ [be] with thy spirit.
Grace [be] with you. Amen."

     Even in the final words of this letter, we can see the love that
Paul had for Timothy. Paul did not want Timothy to get down in his
spirit. His prayer was for the strength for Timothy.
Amen - so be it.


























                        2 Timothy 6 Questions


1.  Who shall judge the quick and the dead?
2.  When shall they be judged?
3.  Who are the "quick"?
4.  What does the word "therefore" show us about this Scripture?
5.  What is "His kingdom"?
6.  What did he tell Timothy to preach?
7.  What other things did Paul tell Timothy to do pertaining to the
    ministry?
8.  What is meant by "being instant in season and out of season" ?
9.  Quote Matthew chapter 18 verse 15.
10. The time will come when they will not endure _________ ________.
11. They will heap to themselves teachers, having _________ _______.
12. What are some of the things sound doctrine teaches?
13. What is the message most church goers want to hear?
14. What are some of the things people tell you not to preach about,
    so you will not offend the members of the church?
15. The sermon of itching ears appeals to the ______ of ____.
16. What are some of the things not many want to hear?
17. What do most church-goers want to hear?
18. Quote John chapter 16 verse 33.
19. They shall turn away their ears from the ______.
20. What is it saying when it says "fables"?
21. In verse 5, Paul tells Timothy to the work of an ________-.
22. Quote 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 7.
23. What is laid up for Paul in heaven?
24. What is Jesus called in verse 8?
25. Why did Demas forsake Paul?
26. Only ______ is with me.
27. Who was the coppersmith that had done much evil to Paul?
28. Who stood with Paul?
29. Quote Philippians chapter 4 verse 13.
30. Who is Prisca in verse 19?