2 Timothy 4:9
in 2 Timothy 4Make every effort to come to me quickly,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Give diligence to come shortly unto me:
KJV
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
⋯
This verse in 2 Timothy 4
Commentary
10 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me - As soon as possible. Timothy had been Paul’s traveling companion, and was his intimate friend. The apostle was now nearly forsaken, and was about to pass through severe trials. It is not certainly known for what purpose he wished him to come to him, but perhaps he desired to give him some parting counsels; perhaps he wished him to be near him when he died.
This site's exposition
Make every effort to come to me quickly
on 2 Timothy 4:9-12
The requests turn personal, come to me quickly, for the circle has thinned. Demas, who sent greetings at Colossians 4:14, has left in his love of this world, set against the love of Christ's appearing in 4:8.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
I urged you to come to me quickly. For what reason does Paul call Timothy to himself to whom the Church of Ephesus had been entrusted? Since Paul being in prison, he was not able to leave. Therefore, he wishes Timothy to come to him, …
It is worth while to enquire why he calls Timothy to him, inasmuch as he was intrusted with a Church, and a whole nation. It was not from arrogance. For Paul was ready to come to him; for we find him saying, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God." (1 Tim. iii. 15.) But he was withholden by a strong necessity. He was no longer matter of his own movements. He was in prison, and had been confined by Nero, and was all but on the point of death. That this might not happen before he saw his disciple, he therefore sends for him, desiring to see him before he dies, and perhaps to deliver much in charge to him. Wherefore he says, "Hasten to come to me before the winter."
The Medieval Church2 voices
He asks for a visit: first, he summons Timothy; second, he describes his condition, at "Alexander"; third, he concludes the epistolary greeting, at "Eubulus and Pudens salute you." In regard to the first he does three things: first, he asks him to come; second, he …
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, …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
): So thy diligence to come shortly to me. For Timothy was an evangelist, one who was not a fixed pastor of any one place, but attended the motions of the apostles, to build upon their foundation. Paul wanted Timothy's company and help; and the reason he gives is because several had left him (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
2Ti 1:4, 8.) Timothy is asked to come to be a comfort to Paul, and also to be strengthened by Paul, for carrying on the Gospel work after Paul's decease.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me - He appears to have wished Timothy to be present at his death, that he might have his faith confirmed by seeing how a Christian could die; and, as he had but a short time to live, he begs Timothy to hasten his visit, and particularly so as he had scarcely now any companions.
The words behind it
5 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Σπούδασον | spoudason | do be diligent | G4704 → | 11 times |
| ἐλθεῖν | elthein | to come | G2064 → | 628 times |
| πρός | pros | to | G4314 → | 700 times |
| με | me | me | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| ταχέως. | tacheos | soon. | G5030 → |
Σπούδασονdo be diligent
spoudasonG4704 →11 times
ἐλθεῖνto come
eltheinG2064 →628 times
πρόςto
prosG4314 →700 times
μεme
meG3165 →1936 times
ταχέως.soon.
tacheosG5030 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
2 Timothy 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
it leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17
Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.
- 2 Timothy 4:21
Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
- Philippians 1:8
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- Acts 20:19
I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
- John 16:22
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17
Through
2 Timothy 4:21Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
it leads to
- Philippians 4:22
All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
- 1 Corinthians 16:20
All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
- Romans 16:21–23
Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen.
- Philippians 4:22
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Timothy
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 2 Timothy 10; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Timothy and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Timothy.