The closing chapter, 2 Timoty 4, then gives his solemn charge, and at the same time his own expression of what was before him. As Timothy was about to enter upon a new phase of his ministry, without the Apostle’s presence or living counsel, the latter charges him with great emphasis, “before God: and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” And the reason why he makes it so urgent not to be turned aside was, that the time would come when men would not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they should heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they should turn away their ears from the truth, and should be turned unto fables. “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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.” Thus he looks not to the coming of the Lord to receive him to Himself, but to the “appearing of the Lord,” which is the usual side of the truth taken in these epistles. The reason is obvious. The coming of the Lord will in no way manifest the faithfulness of the servant; His appearing will. At “that day” will be the display of whatever has been endured, as well as done, for the Lord’s sake.
With this prospect he comforts Timothy no less than his own spirit; but at the same time he speaks as to joining him, with a glance at one that had forsaken him “Demos hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.” He was comparatively alone. If he does not hide the sorrowful view of an old fellow-laborer’s cooling in zeal, with all its dangers, the consolation is also before Timothy both of those that go on in faithful labor, and of one at least restored. “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” So we find that God knows how to temper the bitter with the sweet, always doing the right thing in the right place and time.
Thus he comforts Timothy at the same time that he admonishes him. In the midst of all, he is told to bring the cloak that he left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments. This again has stumbled the minds of men. They cannot understand an inspired Apostle talking about a cloak in the midst of a divinely given pastoral charge. The reason is manifest: they themselves savor of the things of men, and not of God. There is nothing that more shows God than His ability to combine that which is eternal with care for the smallest things of this life. It was not then an indifferent matter to God. The Holy Spirit would make it to be most practical and precious. Be assured, that if you do not bring the Spirit of God into these matters, perhaps your cloak, perhaps a book, will become a snare to you. To many a man and woman has a little bit of dress done no small injury, just because they think it is too little for the Spirit of God to direct them in. “The cloak,” then says he, “That I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books,”—not only the clothing, but even that which he is to read, “especially the parchments;”—what he was going to write on, probably. “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.”
Finally, we have his assertion of the blessed Lord’s care, and his confidence in Him that He would preserve him from all evil to His heavenly kingdom; closing this solemn and touching epistle (it would seem the last words he wrote) with salutations to various saints.