CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Timothy 4:9 Make every effort to come to me quickly,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_timothy/4-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/55_2Ti_04_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Timothy 4:9 - Personal Concerns" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Make every effort to come to me quickly," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_timothy/4-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_timothy/4-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_timothy/">2 Timothy</a> > <a href="/2_timothy/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_timothy/4-8.htm" title="2 Timothy 4:8">◄</a> 2 Timothy 4:9 <a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm" title="2 Timothy 4:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_timothy/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_timothy/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do your best to come to me quickly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_timothy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Timothy, please come as soon as you can.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_timothy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do your best to come to me soon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me quickly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/2_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Be diligent to come to me quickly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_timothy/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_timothy/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Be diligent to come to me quickly;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_timothy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Be diligent to come to me soon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_timothy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_timothy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_timothy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Give diligence to come shortly unto me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_timothy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Come to see me as soon as you can. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_timothy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_timothy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Hurry to visit me soon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_timothy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do your best to come to me soon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_timothy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do your best to come to me soon, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_timothy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me quickly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_timothy/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_timothy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Be diligent to come to me soon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_timothy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Do thy diligence to come shortly to me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/2_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Make an effort to come to me speedily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_timothy/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Be diligent to come to me soon, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_timothy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Be diligent to come to me quickly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/2_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Be diligent to come to me quickly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_timothy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Be diligent to come unto me quickly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_timothy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Be earnest to come to me quickly.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_timothy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone to Thessalonica: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_timothy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For Demas has abandoned me, out of love for this age, and he has departed for Thessalonica.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_timothy/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Try to join me soon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_timothy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do your best to come to me soon,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_timothy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Make every effort to come to me soon:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_timothy/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Let it be your concern to come quickly to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/2_timothy/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Endeavor to come to me shortly;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/2_timothy/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Hasten to come to me quickly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/2_timothy/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Hasten to come to me shortly:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/2_timothy/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Endeavour to come to me very soon:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/2_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Make an effort to come to me speedily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/2_timothy/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Give diligence to come to me speedily;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/2_timothy/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Endeavour to come to me soon: for Demas hath forsaken me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_timothy/4-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FxoCLii8Z48?start=641" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Personal Concerns</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8</span>From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/4704.htm" title="4704: Spoudason (V-AMA-2S) -- To hasten, be eager, be zealous. From spoude; to use speed, i.e. To make effort, be prompt or earnest.">Make every effort</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthein (V-ANA) -- To come, go. ">to come</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me</a> <a href="/greek/5030.htm" title="5030: tacheōs (Adv) -- Soon, quickly, hastily. Adverb from tachus; briefly, i.e. speedily, or rapidly.">quickly,</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-37.htm">Acts 20:37-38</a></span><br />They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him. / They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-25.htm">Philippians 2:25-30</a></span><br />But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs. / For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. / He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-6.htm">2 Corinthians 7:6-7</a></span><br />But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus, / and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-32.htm">Romans 15:32</a></span><br />so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/3-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:6-7</a></span><br />But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you. / For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-7.htm">Colossians 4:7-9</a></span><br />Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. / I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. / With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philemon/1-22.htm">Philemon 1:22</a></span><br />In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-10.htm">1 Corinthians 16:10-11</a></span><br />If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. / No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-36.htm">Acts 15:36</a></span><br />Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-15.htm">2 Corinthians 1:15-16</a></span><br />Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing. / I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to return to you from Macedonia, and then to have you help me on my way to Judea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-41.htm">1 Samuel 20:41-42</a></span><br />When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more. / And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-14.htm">Genesis 45:14-15</a></span><br />Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced. / Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20-21</a></span><br />So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/1-16.htm">Ruth 1:16-17</a></span><br />But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-55.htm">Genesis 31:55</a></span><br />Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Do your diligence to come shortly to me:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_timothy/4-21.htm">2 Timothy 4:21</a></b></br> Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_timothy/1-4.htm">2 Timothy 1:4</a></b></br> Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_timothy/2-15.htm">Best</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-15.htm">Diligence</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-15.htm">Diligent</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-16.htm">Effort</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-22.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-14.htm">Shortly</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/philippians/2-28.htm">Speedily</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-21.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_timothy/4-21.htm">Best</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-21.htm">Diligence</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-21.htm">Diligent</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-21.htm">Effort</a> <a href="/titus/1-7.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-23.htm">Shortly</a> <a href="/titus/1-7.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/titus/3-13.htm">Speedily</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-11.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">2 Timothy 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-1.htm">He exhorts him to preach the Word with all care and diligence;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-6.htm">certifies him of the nearness of his death;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-9.htm">wills him to come speedily unto him, and to bring Marcus with him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-14.htm">warns him to beware of Alexander the metalworker.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm">informs him what had befallen him at his first answering;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-19.htm">and soon after he concludes.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_timothy/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_timothy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_timothy/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Make every effort</b><br>This phrase emphasizes urgency and importance. Paul is expressing a strong desire for Timothy to prioritize this request. In the context of Paul's life, he is nearing the end of his ministry and facing execution, which adds weight to his plea. The Greek word used here, "spoudason," conveys diligence and eagerness, suggesting that Timothy should act with haste and commitment. This reflects the urgency often found in Paul's letters, where he encourages believers to be diligent in their faith and actions (<a href="/romans/12-11.htm">Romans 12:11</a>).<p><b>to come to me</b><br>Paul is imprisoned in Rome, likely during his second imprisonment, and he longs for the companionship and support of his spiritual son, Timothy. This request highlights the deep personal relationship between Paul and Timothy, as well as the importance of fellowship and support within the Christian community. The request also underscores the isolation Paul feels in his imprisonment, as many have deserted him (<a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm">2 Timothy 4:16</a>). The need for personal presence and encouragement is a recurring theme in Paul's letters (<a href="/philippians/2-19.htm">Philippians 2:19-24</a>).<p><b>quickly</b><br>The urgency of this request is underscored by the word "quickly." Paul is aware that his time is short, as he anticipates his impending martyrdom (<a href="/2_timothy/4-6.htm">2 Timothy 4:6-8</a>). The historical context of this letter, written during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero, adds to the urgency. Paul desires to see Timothy one last time, to impart final instructions and encouragement. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the brevity of life and the importance of making the most of the time we have (<a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>, <a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle and author of the letter, writing from a Roman prison. He is nearing the end of his life and ministry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/timothy.htm">Timothy</a></b><br>A young pastor and close companion of Paul, to whom this letter is addressed. Paul considers him a spiritual son.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rome.htm">Rome</a></b><br>The place where Paul is imprisoned. It is the center of the Roman Empire and a significant location for early Christian history.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/imprisonment.htm">Imprisonment</a></b><br>Paul is in chains for the Gospel, facing the reality of his impending execution.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/u/urgency.htm">Urgency</a></b><br>The tone of the verse reflects Paul's urgent need for companionship and support during his final days.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_christian_fellowship.htm">The Importance of Christian Fellowship</a></b><br>Paul’s request for Timothy to come quickly underscores the value of fellowship and support among believers, especially in times of trial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_in_ministry.htm">Urgency in Ministry</a></b><br>Paul’s sense of urgency serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual relationships and responsibilities, recognizing the brevity of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_difficult_times.htm">Faithfulness in Difficult Times</a></b><br>Despite his imprisonment, Paul remains focused on his mission and relationships, teaching us to remain steadfast in our faith regardless of circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mentorship_and_discipleship.htm">Mentorship and Discipleship</a></b><br>The relationship between Paul and Timothy exemplifies the importance of mentoring in the Christian faith, encouraging us to invest in others spiritually.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_timothy_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_an_epistle.htm">What defines an epistle?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'not_grow_weary'_mean.htm">What does 'Not Grow Weary in Doing Good' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doubt_paul_wrote_pastoral_epistles.htm">Why do some scholars believe the Pastoral Epistles were not written by Paul?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_main_themes_of_2_timothy.htm">What are the main themes of 2 Timothy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_timothy/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Do thy diligence to come shortly.</span>--Such a request as this would--had we no other arguments--tell us that no forger ever wrote this Epistle. Who would ever have dreamed of putting into the letter such a request as this, <span class= "ital">after</span> those solemn expressions of the last few verses, in which the Apostle spoke of himself as even <span class= "ital">then</span> tasting the bitterness of death? He had been writing as though the martyr's death was so imminent that the preparations were already being made for it. This request to Timothy to come to him, <span class= "ital">after</span> he had written such thoughts down, is at first sight strange, and one certainly which no forger would have appended to the writing. But though the forger would never have thought of such a summons, <span class= "ital">St. Paul</span> might. He still lived, and the thought of life and the hope of life even in that brave Christ-loving heart still burned; after all, the martyrdom which seemed so close at hand <span class= "ital">might</span> be delayed. Days, months, might drag on their slow, weary length, and still find the old man languishing and solitary in his chains in that dreary prison. He longed to see some of his faithful companions once more, and for the last time to bid them with his own mouth to be faithful and brave. So, as it were, hoping against hope, he dictates on the last pages of the letter, "Do thy diligence," or better, "<span class= "ital">earnestly endeavour</span> to come shortly to me." His loving wish to see Timothy again appears from the words of <a href="/2_timothy/1-4.htm" title="Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy;">2Timothy 1:4</a> : "greatly desiring to see thee;" and again from <a href="/2_timothy/4-21.htm" title="Do your diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers.">2Timothy 4:21</a>. "Do thy diligence to come before winter." And some have seen in the expression, "being mindful of thy tears," in <a href="/2_timothy/1-4.htm" title="Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy;">2Timothy 1:4</a> (to which we have given, however, a different interpretation), a reciprocal anxiety on the part of Timothy to see and speak again with his old master. But St. Paul, though he begged him to hasten his journey as much as possible, and still, though all seemed so dark around him, <span class= "ital">hoped</span> to see him again, framed the charge of the last letter in such a way that Timothy, if when he reached Rome, should find that all was over, might know what were his master's last wishes and directions. On the natural human longing for sympathy in the supreme hour, compare our blessed Lord's words to Peter, James, and John (<a href="/matthew/26-38.htm" title="Then said he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry you here, and watch with me.">Matthew 26:38</a>): "My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, <span class= "ital">and</span> <span class= "ital">watch with Me.</span>"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_timothy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Do thy diligence</span> (<span class="greek">σπούδασον</span>); see ch. 2:15, note. St. Paul's affectionate longing for Timothy's company in present danger and desertion is very touching. (For the chronological bearing of this passage, see Introduction.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_timothy/4-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Make every effort</span><br /><span class="grk">Σπούδασον</span> <span class="translit">(Spoudason)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4704.htm">Strong's 4704: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hasten, be eager, be zealous. From spoude; to use speed, i.e. To make effort, be prompt or earnest.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to come</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐλθεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(elthein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come, go. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">πρός</span> <span class="translit">(pros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> </span><span class="str2">To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me</span><br /><span class="grk">με</span> <span class="translit">(me)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">quickly,</span><br /><span class="grk">ταχέως</span> <span class="translit">(tacheōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> </span><span class="str2">Soon, quickly, hastily. Adverb from tachus; briefly, i.e. speedily, or rapidly.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_timothy/4-9.htm">2 Timothy 4:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_timothy/4-9.htm">NT Letters: 2 Timothy 4:9 Be diligent to come to me soon (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_timothy/4-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Timothy 4:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Timothy 4:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Timothy 4:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Timothy 4:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>