2TI 4:1-8

Preach the Word

1I charge you solemnly before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge the living and the dead — by his appearing and his kingdom: [4:2] preach the word, stand ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience and teaching. [4:3] For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound teaching — but wanting to have their ears scratched, they will heap up for themselves teachers according to their own desires, [4:4] and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [4:5] But you, be sober in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. [4:6] For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [4:7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [4:8] From now on, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

In the world it was spoken into

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, the act of preaching was not merely a religious activity but a public declaration often associated with heralds announcing imperial decrees or philosophical teachers proclaiming their doctrines. The charge to 'preach the word' would have resonated with the urgency and authority of such proclamations. The mention of Christ Jesus as judge of the living and the dead aligns with Jewish apocalyptic expectations and Roman legal frameworks, where judgment was a central theme. The warning about people gathering teachers to suit their own desires reflects the competitive marketplace of ideas in urban centers, where sophists and philosophers catered to audiences seeking novelty rather than truth. The call to 'be sober' and 'endure afflictions' echoes Stoic ideals of self-control and resilience, while the sacrificial imagery of being 'poured out' draws on Jewish temple rituals and Roman libation practices, emphasizing total devotion.

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How other translations render this

2TI 4:1

KJV: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
BSB: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
Koinōnos: I charge you solemnly before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge the living and the dead — by his appearing and his kingdom:

2TI 4:2

KJV: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
BSB: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
Koinōnos: preach the word, stand ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience and teaching.

2TI 4:3

KJV: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
BSB: For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
Koinōnos: For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound teaching — but wanting to have their ears scratched, they will heap up for themselves teachers according to their own desires,

2TI 4:4

KJV: And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
BSB: So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Koinōnos: and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

2TI 4:5

KJV: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
BSB: But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Koinōnos: But you, be sober in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2TI 4:6

KJV: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
BSB: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Koinōnos: For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

2TI 4:7

KJV: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
BSB: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Koinōnos: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2TI 4:8

KJV: 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.
BSB: From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Koinōnos: From now on, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

2TI 4:1

I earnestly declare:The word translated 'I earnestly declare' carries the sense of a solemn, urgent charge or testimony, often with an appeal to a higher authority or witnesses.

2TI 4:2

do be ready:The phrase 'do be ready' comes from a word that means to stand by or be present, implying a state of constant preparedness and availability for action.

2TI 4:3

sound:The word translated 'sound' literally means to be healthy or in good physical condition, and is used metaphorically here to describe teaching that is wholesome and free from corruption.

2TI 4:6

am being poured out,:The phrase 'am being poured out' refers to a libation, a ritual offering where liquid is poured out as a sacrifice, indicating a complete and final dedication.