41 I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign— 2 preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching, 3 for there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers—itching in the hearing, 4 and indeed, from the truth the hearing they shall turn away, and to the fables they shall be turned aside. 5 And thou—watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance, 6 for I am already being poured out, and the time of my release hath arrived; 7 the good strife I have striven, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept, 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of the righteousness that the Lord—the Righteous Judge—shall give to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all those loving his manifestation.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:1-8
Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:1-5
(Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5)
People will turn away from the truth, they will grow weary of the plain gospel of Christ, they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure that preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose. Those who love souls must be ever watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pure gospel.
Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:6-8
(Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8)
The blood of the martyrs, though not a sacrifice of atonement, yet was a sacrifice of acknowledgment to the grace of God and his truth. Death to a good man, is his release from the imprisonment of this world, and his departure to the enjoyments of another world. As a Christian, and a minister, Paul had kept the faith, kept the doctrines of the gospel. What comfort will it afford, to be able to speak in this manner toward the end of our days! The crown of believers is a crown of righteousness, purchased by the righteousness of Christ. Believers have it not at present, yet it is sure, for it is laid up for them. The believer, amidst poverty, pain, sickness, and the agonies of death, may rejoice; but if the duties of a man's place and station are neglected, his evidence of interest in Christ will be darkened, and uncertainty and distress may be expected to cloud and harass his last hours.