2 Tim. 4:5. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions.
Do you see why the apostle said first of all that he should be watchful? It is as if the apostle says: before this destruction comes, before the wolves arrive, suffer both voluntarily and against your will, in order to bring the sheep to a state of safety.
2 Tim. 4:5. Do the work of an evangelist.
Therefore, the work of the evangelist is to suffer both from oneself and from others.
2 Tim. 4:5. Fulfill your ministry.
Thus, the ministry is fulfilled when one suffers.
2 Tim. 4:6. For I am already being offered as a sacrifice (σπένδομαι – lit. "I am being poured out" like wine upon the altar), and the time of my departure has come.
He did not say "I am being offered as a sacrifice," but something stronger. For in a sacrifice, not everything is offered to God, whereas a drink offering of wine was offered in its entirety.
2 Tim. 4:7. I have fought the good fight.
Why does Paul now exalt himself for this? He does not exalt himself, but consoles his disciple, so that he would not grieve for him, because Paul, having attained a good end, departs to receive his crown. Just as a father before death, consoling his son sitting before him and weeping, says to him: do not weep, child, we have lived well, we have raised trophies, the king shows us his favor, and you will be glorified by my deeds. Obviously, the father says this in order that by his praises he might make his son bear more easily the separation from him. So too Paul consoles Timothy here, leaving his epistle as a testament. "I have fought the good fight," therefore you too take it upon yourself. So then, Paul, where there are bonds and chains, there is also a good fight? Yes, for the very reason that it is accomplished for Christ. In ordinary spectacles people compete for many days, and for one moment receive a crown; but here glory belongs to those who have fought forever. Therefore the fight is good, that is, pleasant and glorious.
2 Tim. 4:7. I have finished the race.
The Apostle accomplished the work of preaching the Gospel from Jerusalem and the surrounding region to Illyricum, traversing this distance while overcoming countless obstacles of death, punishments, and calamities, as if having fiery wings.
2 Tim. 4:7. I have kept the faith.
Much assailed his faith: threats, mortal dangers, the temptation of pleasures; but he withstood everything, being vigilant and watching for the creeping thief of faith.
2 Tim. 4:8. And now there is prepared for me the crown of righteousness.
What was said was sufficient for consolation; but here he adds also about the rewards, in order to further encourage the disciple. One should not, he says, grieve or sorrow, because I am departing to receive the crown. By "righteousness" here as well the apostle means virtue in general.
2 Tim. 4:8. The which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day.
He did not say "will give," but "will render," as something owed, as a debt. Being righteous, He will undoubtedly determine the recompense for labors, so that the crown by righteousness must belong to me.
2 Tim. 4:8. And not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Here the apostle encourages Timothy himself as well. For if He will repay all, then how much more you. And who loves His appearing? He who does things worthy of that appearing, so that he who does not, clearly does not love it, but rather hates it, lest he receive what he deserves according to his deeds. "Appearing" (επιφάνεια) is so called because it appears on high (το επάνω φαινεσθαι) and shines forth from above. Before the universal appearing there is yet another appearing, in which the Lord reveals Himself to those who are worthy, and not to the world. Behold again, the Lord says: "We will come to him, and make Our abode with him" (Jn. 14:23).
2 Tim. 4:9. Make haste to come to me quickly.
Why does the apostle call Timothy to himself, when he had been entrusted with the Church in Ephesus and an entire people? Because he was in bonds, having been imprisoned by Nero, and could not come to him himself; therefore he calls him to Rome, wishing, perhaps, to pass on many things to him before his death.
2 Tim. 4:10. For Demas has forsaken me, having loved the present age, and has gone to Thessalonica.
He does not say: I wish to see you before I die, so as not to grieve him; but rather — since I have no one who would help me in preaching the gospel, hasten to come. What does "having loved the present age" mean? That is, having loved ease, a safe and quiet life, he preferred to enjoy himself at home rather than suffer hardships with me. He reproaches Demas alone, though he wished not so much to reproach him as to put us to shame, so that we would not lose heart in dangers; at the same time, he also wanted to bind Timothy even more closely to himself.
2 Tim. 4:10. Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.