2 Timothy 4:2-7 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:6

For I am now ready to be offered ,.... Or poured out, as a libation, or a drink offering; or as the blood was poured out at the bottom of the altar; which is expressive of martyrdom, and shows that the apostle knew what death he should die; for which he was habitually ready; and this sacrifice of himself was not to atone for sin, his own, or others; Christ's death was the only sacrifice for sin, and that is a complete one, and needs no other to be added to it; but this was in the cause of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight ,.... The fight of faith; the same as in 1 Timothy 6:10 ; see Gill on 1 Timothy 6:10 , I have finished my course , or race; the race of life set before him, his course of years; his days were extinct, the grave was ready for him, and he for that; his last sands were dropping, and he was just going the way of all flesh; or else he means the course of his ministry, which he desired to finish with joy, and was now finishing; Acts 13:25 he was now got to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word - Κηρυξον τον λογον· Proclaim the doctrine, the doctrine of Christ crucified, for the sins of the whole world; the doctrine, that the Gentiles are invited to be fellow heirs with the Jews, and that for Jews and Gentiles there is no salvation but by faith in Christ. Be instant in season, out of season - Επιστηθι ευκαιρως, ακαιρως . Be urgent whether the times be prosperous or adverse, whenever there is an opportunity; and when there is none, strive to make one. The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come - There is a time coming to the Church when men will not hear the practical truths of the Gospel, when they will prefer speculative opinions, which either do no good to the soul, or corrupt and destroy it, to that wholesome doctrine of "deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me," which Jesus Christ has left in his Church. But after their own lusts - For these they will follow, and hate those preachers and that doctrine by which they are opposed. Shall they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:4

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth - The truth strips them of their vices, sacrifices their idols, darts its lightnings against their easily besetting sins, and absolutely requires a conformity to a crucified Christ; therefore they turn their ears away from it. And shall be turned unto fables - Believe any kind of stuff and nonsense; for, as one has justly observed, "Those who reject the truth are abandoned by the just judgment of God to credit the most degrading... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:5

But watch thou in all things - It is possible to be overtaken in a fault, to neglect one's duty, and to lose one's soul. Watching unto prayer prevents all these evils. Endure afflictions - Let no sufferings affright thee; nor let the dread of them either cause thee to abandon the truth, or relax in thy zeal for the salvation of men. Do the work of an evangelist - That is: Preach Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world; for this, and this alone, is doing the work of an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:6

For I am now ready to be offered - Ηδη σπενδομαι· I am already poured out as a libation. See the note on Philemon 2:17 . He considers himself as on the eve of being sacrificed, and looks upon his blood as the libation which was poured on the sacrificial offering. He could not have spoken thus positively had not the sentence of death been already passed upon him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight - Every reader will perceive that the apostle, as was his very frequent custom, alludes to the contests at the Grecian games: Τον αγυνα τον καλον ηγωνισμαι· I have wrestled that good wrestling - I have struggled hard, and have over come, in a most honorable cause. I have finished my course - I have started for the prize, and have come up to the goal, outstripping all my competitors, and have gained this prize also. I have kept the faith - As the laws of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:2

Verse 2 2Be instant in season, out of season By these words he recommends not only constancy, but likewise earnestness, so as to overcome all hindrances and difficulties; for, being, by nature, exceedingly effeminate or slothful, we easily yield to the slightest opposition, and sometimes we gladly seek apologies for our slothfulness. Let us now consider how many arts Satan employs to stop our course, and how slow to follow, and how soon wearied are those who are called. Consequently the gospel... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:3

Verse 3 3For there will be a time (193) From the very depravity of men he shews how careful pastors ought to be; for soon shall the gospel be extinguished, and perish from the remembrance of men, if godly teachers do not labor with all their might to defend it. But he means that we must avail ourselves of the opportunity, while there is any reverence for Christ; as if one should say that, when a storm is at hand, we must not labor remissly, but must hasten with all diligence, because there will... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:3

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