Paul had been called to appear before the emperor, upon his appeal to Caesar, but no man stood with him, to plead his cause, to bear witness of him, or to encourage and strengthen him, but all deserted him. There were many Christians in Rome, but they were weak, and when it came to the danger of suffering with Paul,

Paul wants Timothy’s company and help, and he asks Timothy to hurry and come to him. Several have left him, some for bad reasons like Demas. Demas left Paul either for fear of suffering (because Paul is now a prisoner, and he is afraid he will get into trouble) or because he has become entangled in worldly affairs. Demas’ first

Paul looks back with pleasure on the life he has lived. He does not fear death because, by the grace of God, as a Christian and as a minister he has fought the good fight. He has done the service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and has been instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted

Paul charges Timothy because he, for his part, has almost finished his work. When Paul is gone, Timothy will be needed even more. When labourers are removed out of the vineyard, it is not time for those left behind to be lazy, but to double their diligence. The fewer hands there are to work, the harder those hands must work.

Timothy must direct and encourage those who begin well. He must do it very patiently. If he doesn’t see the effect of his work immediately, he should not give up or get tired of speaking to his congregation. God is patient with us, we should be patient with others. Timothy must encourage and exhort his congregation, not with empty words,

Paul reminds Timothy that they eye of God his Creator and Jesus Christ his Redeemer is upon him. Christ will judge those who are still alive and those who are dead when He appears in His glory to bring in the fullness of His Kingdom. Everyone, both ministers and people, need to seriously think about the account they must give

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and therefore is His Word. It is a divine revelation, which we may depend upon as infallibly true. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but what they received of the Lord that they delivered unto us. That the Scripture was given by inspiration of God is demonstrated by its

Paul warns Timothy of the fatal end of deceivers, as a reason why he should stick closely to the truth as it is in Jesus. As good men, by the grace of God, grow better and better, so bad men, through the subtlety of Satan and the power of their own sin, grow worse and worse. The way of sin

Paul sets before Timothy his own example. Timothy has been an eye witness of Paul, and he knows him well. Timothy knows Paul’s teaching. Paul kept back nothing from his hearers, but he declared to them the whole counsel of God. Timothy knows Paul’s conduct. His life does not contradict his preaching. He doesn’t pull down by his living what

Paul encourages Timothy by the fact that he is suffering on behalf of others. Good ministers may and should encourage themselves in the hardest services and the hardest sufferings, with this, that God will certainly bring good to His church, and benefit to His people, out of them. Next to the salvation of our own souls we should be willing