II Timothy 3-4

“And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (3:12). Paul didn’t want Timothy to have wrong expectations. He described his own troubles, being thrown in prison, and the malice of Alexander the coppersmith (4:14). Serving Jesus meant joining an ongoing battle and using every spiritual weapon and defense. With the Spirit’s help, Paul could say at the end, “I have fought the good fight … I have kept the faith” (4:7).

We are never alone in the fight. God will “deliver me from every evil deed, and bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom” (4:18).