Endure to the End
Preach the Word (1-4)
Paul ended the letter by admonishing Timothy to preach, in light of the coming judgment (1), the word he had just described in chapter three (2). Timothy was to be ready at all times to share the word, whether it was convenient or not, and to take his time, being patient, to allow the word to have its full effect (2). He warned his son in the Lord about the coming days when people would not want to listen to the truth but would rather be entertained and have their passions stimulated (3), even if what they were being taught was mere legend (4).
Fulfill Your Ministry (5-8)
Paul not only wanted Timothy to be devoted to preaching but also to fulfill his ministry by being sober (not addicted to pleasure), enduring suffering, and doing the work of leading others to follow Christ (5). He then revealed to Timothy that his (Paul's) life was coming to an end; having fought the fight of faith, he was awaiting his reward, the same reward awaiting all who love the “appearing” (coming of Jesus) more than they love the now-world (6-8).
Come to Me (9-22)
Paul now let us hear the heart-wrenching truth of how he too, after a life of fighting well and faithfully completing his ministry, found himself alone after some of his followers deserted him and others away on missional assignments. Only Luke was with him, and Paul called for Timothy to get Mark and come to him as well (9-13). Alexander was doing him great damage at his trial, making it certain Paul would be found guilty, and so Paul warned Timothy to stay clear of him (14-15). Not only was Paul without his companions, but at his first defense, no one was there to testify on his behalf, likely fearing the power of Alexander's testimony and the reach of his connections (16). Paul then, in the spirit of hope and praise, declared he was not alone; Christ was with him, strengthening him and rescuing him from the lions, and He would ultimately rescue him by bringing him into His heavenly Kingdom (17-18). Paul survived his first defense before Nero but knew he would eventually lose and succumb to death, so this whole section is rife with Paul’s wishing to say goodbye to Timothy one last time.
Paul signed off with some greetings, his final inspired letter completed (19-22).
Perceivable Proverbs (10:1-15:33)
Solomon continues to place his proverbs in bookends so the subject matter may be considered in the light of the introduction and conclusion.
In verse 1, an abominable or disgraceful false weight is compared, in verse 20, to an abominable or disgraceful, crooked heart. The subjects between these two bookends are weighed in the light of keeping one's heart honest before God.
In verse 2, pride is disgraceful and humility delights; in verse 3, crookedness is disgraceful and integrity delights; and in verse 4, trust in riches is disgraceful while righteousness delights. So goes the following verses as Solomon contrasts what is an abomination to God with what delights Him.
In verses 5 through 8, the fate of what is disgraceful is contrasted with the fate of what is delighted in.
In verses 9 and 12, we see the disgraceful practice of slandering one's neighbor and the delightful practice of care in what one says.
In verses 10 and 11, we find what delights the city and what disgraces it.
In verse 13, we discover the disgraceful practice of slander; in verse 14, we find the graceful practice of counselors; and in verse 15, we find the disgrace in co-signing a loan. All three verses express issues that bring disgrace into our lives: slander, decisions made without advice, and co-signing for a debt.
In verses 15 and 16, a delightful, gracious woman and a kind man are contrasted with the disgrace of violence and cruelty.
In verses 18, 19, and 20, the proverbs end with the disgrace of being deceptive with billing, pursuing evil ends, and being of crooked heart, contrasted with the delight of righteousness and the blameless way.
The next bookends we find in verse 21 contrast the evil, who will not go unpunished, and the righteous, who will be delivered, with verse 31 where the righteous will not only be delivered but also repaid, and the wicked sinner will be much more repaid.
The first verse in this section, verse 22, appears to stand alone as a humorous axiom about beauty when put on something ugly, so it appears completely out of place.
Next, verses 23 and 27 appear to parallel as they discuss the conclusion of desire and searching. Verses 24 through 26 center on a similar theme of generosity, hoarding, and basic selfishness. All of this is being considered in the light of consequence.
Verses 28 through 30 deal with the catastrophic repayment on the home of one who does not capture his soul and the soul of his family but instead troubles them with building a life on poor decisions and principles.
While all of this may seem complicated, the goal of the poetry is to contrast what happens between two different kinds of people and actions so one can be wise.