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2 Timothy 4:1-5 meaning
In this last chapter, Paul charges Timothy. Paul might have considered this somewhat of a passing of the torch to Timothy, as his successor in the ministry. We can know it was well received, since this letter made it into scripture. Had Timothy rejected the letter, we can reasonably assume he would not have put it into circulation. This chapter makes clear that Paul expects he will die soon. He expresses a desire for Timothy's company, and a few physical comforts in his last days on earth. Unlike in his other writings, Paul says he has finished his race of life successfully. In Philippians he appeared to hope he would be martyred for Christ. Here it is made clear that he will get his wish.
Now Paul gives Timothy what appears to be an ordination or sorts, perhaps passing the baton of ministry leadership. Timothy appears to be Paul's successor in ministry. Paul begins his charge to Timothy with this preamble: I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom. Paul's charge is not in the "name" of Jesus, as we might expect. It is in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus. Paul is not commanding Timothy with the authority of Christ. He is charging Timothy in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus.
Paul is not the authority who will judge whether or not Timothy faithfully discharges his assigned responsibilities. It is Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead. Paul is making clear to Timothy that it won't he him to whom Timothy will give account. Timothy will give account to Jesus Christ Himself. Paul also charges Timothy by His appearing and His kingdom. As Paul charged Timothy in 2:12a, we will only gain the great reward of reigning with Jesus in His kingdom if we endure in serving Him faithfully.
The way for Timothy to endure faithfully is to continue to discharge his gifting to serve the Body of Christ. For Timothy, given his gifts and calling, that includes the following list:
Timothy is to have a sense of urgency in training those around him, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. People will not always be open to listening to what is true. So it is important to strike while the iron is hot. The word translated "doctrine" is the same word translated "teaching" in 3:16, which describes the scripture as being "inspired by God and profitable for teaching." There will come a time when men will refuse to listen to teaching that is sound, or true. Instead they will desire to have their ears tickled. Rather than wanting to hear what is true, they will want to hear what validates what they already believe.
Accordingly, these men who want to have their wicked behavior accommodated will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. The word translated desires is translated in 2 Timothy 2:22 as "lusts." They will find teachers that tell them it is good for them to fulfill their lusts. As a result, these men will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. They are not seeking the truth. The truth reproves, and corrects. They prefer to be affirmed.
Paul exhorts Timothy to avoid such folly. Seeking those who tell you what you want to hear is common, but foolish. Paul exhorts Timothy to rather be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. One of the reasons people desire to be affirmed is because being reproved and corrected is hard. Change is difficult. It is often more comfortable in the short run to live in a false reality. To be sober is to see reality as it is. To be drunk is to enter a false reality.