complete verse (2 Timothy 4:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Timothy 4:9:

  • Uma: “Timotius! I request that you quickly come visit me.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Really try hard so that you will soon be-able-to-come-here to me.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Do what you can so that you might soon come here,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If possible, hurry to come here,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “I’m asking you please, if you have the opportunity I want you to come here soon/quickly.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Listen, Timothy, earnestly endeavor to come quickly here where I am so that we can speak together.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Japanese benefactives (kīte)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, kite (来て) or “come” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 4:9

It is assumed in the letter that Timothy was in Ephesus and that Paul was in Rome. So now Paul wants Timothy to make every effort to join him in Rome because, except for Luke, everyone had left Paul. For Do your best see 2 Tim 2.15. The verb means “to make every effort.” Soon is literally “quickly,” which in the present context means “in the shortest time possible.” See further on “hasty” in 1 Tim 5.22. In some languages this sentence will be best translated as “You must come to see me as soon as possible.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 4:9

Section 4:9–18

Paul asked Timothy to come to him soon

This section contains a variety of specific instructions that Paul gave Timothy in the hope that Timothy would be able to come to Rome soon and spend some time with him.

Paragraph 4:9–13

4:9

Make every effort to come to me quickly: Make every effort is an English phrase that translates one Greek verb. It means “to work/try hard” or “to put the most effort that you can into doing something.” This same verb occurs in 2:15a. Paul wanted Timothy to try to come from Ephesus to Rome as soon as possible, even if it was difficult for Timothy to do.

Paul then mentioned several reasons why he wanted Timothy to come to Rome soon:

(a) Demas had deserted him (Paul) (4:10a);

(b) Crescens and Titus each had traveled elsewhere to serve God (4:10b and 4:10c);

(c) Luke was the only person that had remained in Rome to help Paul (4:11a).

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Sung version of 2 Timothy 4

Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).

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