Verses 1-5
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Life is serious! Christ is returning from heaven to judge the earth!
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Therefore, be serious about teaching the truth of the Word to others, and do so patiently.
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Work to be able to communicate all parts of the Word.
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Be ready to share the gospel with anyone and at any time.
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Push through, and finish what you set out to do!
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This is important because many people who go astray, following after false teachers who will tell them what they want to hear.
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Watch out for these false teachers, and for people who are vulnerable to being led astray by them. Share the truth with these vulnerable people!
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Also be warned, it is a red flag if you find yourself or someone else listening to many teachers or sermons incessantly. A key sign that a person is not submitted to sound doctrine is that they "heap up" many teachers for themselves to make the appearance of spirituality ("always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" - 2 Tim. 3:7).
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Verses 6-8
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Like Paul, fully give yourself to God (hold nothing back), fight hard (be fervent and energetic), and keep the faith!
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Know that when Christ returns there will be great reward!
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- Be willing to be poured out like a drink offering.
- In the Old Testament, a drink offering meant pouring out valuable drink (like wine) on an altar. It was a waste of drink as a sacrifice to God and an expression of trust in Him.
- Be willing to be "wasted" or completely spent for others. Like a drink that cannot be gathered again once poured on the ground, be willing to give up things without expecting to get them back.
Verses 9-18
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Understand that some people will stay with you, and some will leave you. Don't hold this against people. It's part of life - relationships will change.
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Demas used to be a fellow worker of Paul (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 1:24), but he fell away.
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Even with Paul, this man lost focus. Remember that anyone can go astray, if they choose. Do not be discouraged by this, as the Lord will always stand with youand give you strength (verse 17).
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Beware of people who have maliciously done you harm, and warn others to avoid them.
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It's ok to name names in cases where there is serious danger and you need to protect someone.
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Verses 19-22
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Some people fall sick. Even with Paul, known to perform many healings (Acts 28:8-9) Trophimus became and remained sick, so that Paul had to leave him.
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Understand that God allows sickness, and sometimes in godly people, like Trophimus.
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The best thing we can do is pray for the sick and continue to do the work of the kingdom.
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Godly people, like Trophimus, will want the work to continue, and will not seek pity or special care.
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Encourage others, if you are sick, to continue working for the kingdom. Do not expect people to slow down for you. If they do, be thankful, but wish for productivity to continue!
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