Fulfill Your Ministry
1I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge Jn 5:22-30; Rm 5:18; 1Pt 4:5 the living and the dead, Jn 5:25; Rm 14:9; 1Pt 4:5; Rv 18:8; 19:11 and because of His appearing and His kingdom: Mk 1:15; Ac 20:25
2Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
3For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, Rm 15:4 but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. Or to hear what they want to hear ; lit themselves, itching in the hearing
4They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 1Tm 1:4; 4:7; Ti 1:14; 2Pt 1:16
5But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, Ac 21:8; Eph 4:11 fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, Gn 35:14; Php 2:17 and the time for my departure is close.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8There is reserved for me in the future the crown Jn 15:17; Rv 12:1 of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, Lk 18:2,6; Jn 5:22-30; Ac 10:42; Heb 12:23 will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing. Ti 2:13; 1Jn 2:28
Final Instructions
9Make every effort to come to me soon, Ti 3:12
10for Demas Col 4:14; Phm 24 has deserted me, 2Tm 1:15 because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Ac 17:1 Crescens has gone to Galatia, Gl 1:2 Titus Ti 1:4 to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke Col 4:14; Phm 24 is with me. Bring Mark Ac 15:37-39 with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.
12I have sent Tychicus Ac 20:4; Ti 3:12 to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas Ac 16:8 with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander 1Tm 1:20 the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works.
15Watch out 2Tm 1:14; 2Pt 3:17 for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.
16At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. 2Tm 1:15 May it not be counted against them.
17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
18The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. Mk 1:15; Ac 20:25 To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Benediction
20Erastus Ac 19:22; Rm 16:23 has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus Ac 20:4; 21:29 sick at Miletus. Ac 20:15,17
21Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009
by Holman Bible Publishers
