2 Timothy 4 21

2 Timothy 4:21 kjv

Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

2 Timothy 4:21 nkjv

Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

2 Timothy 4:21 niv

Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

2 Timothy 4:21 esv

Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.

2 Timothy 4:21 nlt

Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

2 Timothy 4 verses

2 Timothy 4 21 Meaning

This verse contains Paul’s earnest appeal to Timothy to hasten his arrival in Rome before the onset of winter, coupled with greetings from key members of the Christian community in the city. It underscores the urgency of Paul's personal situation, his need for Timothy's companionship and practical assistance in his final days of imprisonment, and the warm solidarity of the local believers with Timothy and, by extension, Paul. The combination reveals Paul's human needs and the profound value of Christian fellowship amidst challenging circumstances.

2 Timothy 4 21 Context

Second Timothy is widely considered Paul's last epistle, written from Roman imprisonment, likely shortly before his martyrdom. The letter is a deeply personal charge to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy, urging him to remain steadfast in the faith, guard the truth, preach the word, and endure hardship. Chapter 4 forms the solemn culmination of this appeal, containing Paul's confident reflection on his completed ministry and impending "departure" (2 Tim 4:6-8). Within this weighty context of Paul's final admonitions, verse 21 appears as a tender yet urgent practical request. Paul desires Timothy's presence due to feeling deserted by some companions (2 Tim 4:9-10) and his specific need for his cloak and parchments (2 Tim 4:13), implying he expects to face winter in prison. The addition of greetings reinforces the communal aspect of their shared faith and the broader network of believers supporting one another, even in Paul's isolation.

2 Timothy 4 21 Word analysis

• Do your best (Σπούδασον - Spoudason): A strong imperative, derived from spoudazo, meaning "to make haste," "to be diligent," "to exert oneself," "to do one's utmost." It conveys an urgent and earnest plea from Paul, not just a casual invitation. It emphasizes effort and priority.
• to come (ἐλθεῖν - elthein): The aorist infinitive of erchomai, "to come" or "to go." In conjunction with "do your best," it highlights the immediate action Paul desires Timothy to take.
• before (πρὸ - pro): A preposition meaning "before" in time or place. Here, it specifically denotes the temporal boundary for Timothy's journey.
• winter (χειμῶνος - cheimonos): Genitive singular of cheimon, referring to the season of winter. In the context of ancient sea travel (often a prerequisite for long-distance journeys like Timothy's likely path), winter meant dangerous storms, often making voyages impossible or extremely perilous, as seen in Acts 27.
• Eubulus (Εὔβουλος - Euboulos): A Greek name meaning "good counsel" or "prudent." This individual is known only from this single mention in the Bible, signifying one of the faithful members of the Roman Christian community who sends greetings.
• greets you (ἀσπάζεταί σε - aspazetai se): Present indicative of aspazomai, meaning "to salute," "to greet," "to welcome." It conveys personal regard and fellowship from the sender to the recipient.
• Pudens (Πούδης - Poudēs): A Latin name meaning "modest" or "chaste." Like Eubulus, he is mentioned only here in Scripture. His Latin name suggests a Roman background.
• Linus (Λίνος - Linos): A Greek name. Traditionally, early church historians, like Irenaeus and Eusebius, identify this Linus as the first bishop of Rome after Peter and Paul, though the Bible itself does not confirm this. He is likely a significant figure among the Roman believers.
• Claudia (Κλαυδία - Klaudia): A Latin name. She is mentioned only here. Some traditions link her to a British noblewoman converted to Christianity, but biblical evidence is absent. Her inclusion signifies the presence and active participation of women in the early Christian community.
• and all (καὶ οἱ – kai hoi): Simple conjunction meaning "and" followed by the definite article, indicating a collective group.
• the brothers and sisters (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi): The plural of adelphos, meaning "brothers," but in Christian contexts, it universally encompasses both male and female believers ("brothers and sisters" in modern translations), denoting the spiritual family and fellowship in Christ.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Do your best to come before winter": This phrase communicates Paul's urgent, deeply personal plea for Timothy's physical presence. It's a strategic and practical directive reflecting Paul's circumstances as a prisoner who knew the challenges of ancient travel. It emphasizes the profound value Paul placed on companionship and the assistance Timothy could provide. The imminence of winter underlines a critical deadline due to safety and logistical constraints, not merely comfort.
• "Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters": This part highlights the communal aspect of Christian fellowship. These are specific individuals, revealing the network of relationships within the early Roman church and showing solidarity with Timothy. The inclusion of "all the brothers and sisters" signifies that these named individuals were representative of the wider body of believers, underscoring the universal connection and mutual care among Christians across geographical distances.

2 Timothy 4 21 Bonus section

The mention of "before winter" not only underscores the practical difficulties of travel in the ancient world (especially by sea, where ports would often close or journeys would become too risky) but also hints at Paul's fragile state. He may have anticipated that, once winter set in, he would be too ill, too weak, or perhaps executed, making Timothy's visit impossible. This practical instruction, therefore, carries a deeper, solemn undertone of Paul's sense of limited time. The named individuals—Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia—though obscure, are concrete reminders of the real people who constituted the living, breathing church in its earliest days. Their names etched into Scripture affirm that Christianity was not an abstract philosophy but a community forged in personal relationships and mutual encouragement, with diverse individuals supporting its spread and perseverance.

2 Timothy 4 21 Commentary

2 Timothy 4:21 is a concise yet poignant verse that provides a window into the final days of the Apostle Paul and the lived experience of the early church. Paul's imperative, "Do your best to come before winter," is a heartfelt expression of his urgent need for Timothy's companionship, ministry support, and possibly specific items (as referenced in v.13) before perilous travel conditions make the journey impossible. This shows the deeply human side of Paul – a powerful apostle, yet one who experienced loneliness, physical vulnerability in prison, and reliance on fellow believers.

The accompanying greetings from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and "all the brothers and sisters" serve as a testament to the robust Christian community in Rome. These names, though mostly unknown outside this verse, represent the diverse, unified body of Christ. They reflect the practical outworking of Christian fellowship, where mutual care, prayer, and expressions of love were central. The greetings bridge the distance between Paul's confined state and the active ministry of Timothy, reaffirming their shared faith and solidarity as members of the global church. The verse thus blends Paul's immediate personal needs with the overarching theme of persistent fellowship and support within the family of God, even in times of suffering and transition.