1. Class XIV: 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion © Dr. Esa Autero
NTS 5523 Pastoral Epistles
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Class XIV: 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion
© Dr. Esa Autero

2. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion
16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2Tim4:16-18)
16 Ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ μου ἀπολογίᾳ οὐδείς μοι παρεγένετο, ἀλλὰ πάντες με ἐγκατέλιπον· μὴ αὐτοῖς λογισθείη· 17 ὁ δὲ κύριός μοι παρέστη καὶ ἐνεδυνάμωσέν με, ἵνα δι᾽ ἐμοῦ τὸ κήρυγμα πληροφορηθῇ καὶ ἀκούσωσιν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἐρρύσθην ἐκ στόματος λέοντος. 18 ῥύσεταί με ὁ κύριος ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔργου πονηροῦ καὶ σώσει εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ τὴν ἐπουράνιον· ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ἀμήν. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Photo: Bronze mirror -

3. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion 1.1 Introduction to 2 Timothy 4:9-22
Any specific topics that catch your attention in 2 Tim 4:9-22?
Any specific sections that have
been used for
Doctrinal formulations?
Practical considerations in church
or society?
Any questions/comments arising
from the assigned readings?
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4. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion
1.2 Structure and Rhetoric of 2 Timothy 4:9-22
Travel plans & personal concerns (4:9-18)
Instructions to Timothy (4:9-15)
God’s faithfulness (4:16-18)
Closing and final greetings (4:19-22)
Paul at the end of his journey – for the sake of the gospel
Many abandoned – some with him
Without formal defense, minimal support, abandoned
Missing Timothy
 God’s faithfulness stands
 Emotional pathos-filled style & rhetoric due to Paul’s circumstances
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

5. or spiritual desertion?
2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion
Paul’s personal concerns (4:9-15)
Timothy – “every effort to come to me” (4:9)
Paul misses Timothy – repeated x4 (vv. 11, 13, 21)
Many had deserted Paul (cf. 1:15)
Demas “loved this age” (Col 4:12; Phlm 24)
Crescens – to Galatia
Titus – to Dalmatia (cf. Tit 3:12; Rom 15:19)
Alexander the coppersmith – did much harm
Paul’s companions – still w/ Paul or coming to him
Luke (Col 4:16; Lk-Acts)
Mark – same as John Mark (Acts 13-14; 1 Pet 5:13)
Tychicus – Paul sent to Ephesus – letter carrier? replace Timothy?*
 See also other coworkers in vv
Practical, relational
or spiritual desertion?
*Tit 3:12; Col 4:7; Eph 6:21-22
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

6. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion Timothy to bring…
Cloak from Troas – for the upcoming winter
Books (ta biblia) – scrolls [of Scripture?]
Parchments (tas membranas) – “paper” made
of sheepskins; made into a codex
Paul’s personal notes or copies of his letters
τὰ βιβλία μάλιστα τὰς μεμβράνας could mean: two kinds of “books” (Scripture & notes) or “books, that is parchments” (Scripture or notes)
Alexander the coppersmith – “did much harm” – possibly legal charges against Paul*
Same Alexander as in 1 Tim 1:20? Alexander in Acts 19:33?
Alexander continued to oppose Paul** – warning to Timothy
Opposed the gospel; leading opponent(?) – Lord will repay (Ps 61:13)
 Specifics elude
*LSJ, #14488 (πολλά μοι κακὰ ἐνεδείξατο· (2 Tim 4:14).
**Towner 2006,
Photo: Greek tax document 3rd. Century BC -

7. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion First hearing – no formal defense
Everyone abandoned Paul – not to be accounted against them (Lk 23:3)
Paul’s “final days” patterned after Ps 22 & Christ’s crucifixion/resurrection*
2nd hearing in process – earlier hearing had 2yr. “delay” (Acts 24:1, 23, 27)
“Lord stood by” – in contrast to others – and was faithful
Lord strengthened & rescued – will remain faithful to the end
Lion’s mouth – literal/metaphorical (Ps 7:2; 22:19-22; 35:17; Dan 6:20-27; 1 Macc 2:60; 4 Macc 18:13)**
“Full proclamation” – reference to gospel witness b/f emperor/rulers
Rescue from every evil deed – bring to kingdom
 Paul’s unwavering trust in the Lord despite hardships & abandonment
*See esp. Towner 2006,
**Most likely metaphorical as Paul as a Roman citizen would not have been thrown to the arena to the lions – could also be a reference to Nero (cf. Ant )

8. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion Closing greetings (4:19-22)
Prisca and Aquila – Paul’s coworkers (Acts 18:18; 1 Cor 16:19; Rom 16:3-4)
Household of Onesiphorus (1:15-18)
Erastus – Corinthian city treasurer [aedile] (Rom 16:23; Acts 19:22)
Trophimus accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:1-6; 21:29)
Eubulus – presbyter in Achaea[?] (Acts of Paul 8.1.1; 1 Cor 16:15-18)
Pudens – son of a Senator (Gloer & Stepp, 279)
Linus – overseer/bishop in Rome after Peter[?] (Adv. Haer )
Claudia – a slave of the emperor’s household (Gloer & Stepp, 279)
Final greeting to “all brethren”
 Lord be with you – grace
*Prov 28:18 LXX; Herm. Sim. 62:6

9. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion
Theological and practical review of Pastoral Epistles
1) Describe the specific context & circumstances of 1 Tim, 2 Tim & Titus?
How does the situation-specific context of the letters influence how we apply them today?
Give a specific example where a text cannot be applied directly to present-day circumstances.
2) What do PEs teach about salvation?
What is the role of God, Christ, Spirit, and humans in salvation?
What is the role of apostasy and God’s faithfulness in PEs?

10. 2 Tim 4:9-22 & Conclusion
3) What do PEs teach about the qualities and character of…
Church leaders & ordinary Christians
What are the implications to organizing church’s teaching and other ministries today?
4) What kind of church structure emerges from PE?
What is the relationship between elders and overseers?
What is the relationship between elders/overseer to Timothy & Titus?
What is the relationship of elders and overseers to “Apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers” (Eph 4:11)?
 Where does modern day “pastor” fit in all this?
5) Paul uses various rhetorical conventions in PEs
What rhetorical techniques does Paul use in PEs and for what purpose?
What is the significance of Paul’s frequent use of Hellenistic terminology (e.g. eusebeia, epiphaneia etc.) in PEs for teaching and communicating the gospel?