Facing soon martyrdom and having no delusion regarding his future, the Apostle Paul begins Chapter Four with a solemn charge to Timothy his beloved son in the faith. Paul places preaching the Word in a very holy context with his words. He beings by reminding Timothy as well as ourselves that we are ever in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus. We are all to be about living our lives for an audience of One – whether we realize it or not – it matters greatly how we live. And Paul is reminding Timothy (and us) the best way. Remember Paul’s words to us in Ephesians:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the
Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
We can be assured that at the very least God’s will for His children is to know the Truth of His Word and be prepared to share it with others both in season and out of season. Indeed, a high view of the Bible should lead us to a high view of biblical teaching/preaching. God desires for us to be faithful teachers who teach for the pleasure of God those in our spheres.
Remember, we teach with our words and our ways. God told Jeremiah:
28 “Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD. 29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:28-29 (NIV)
While we perhaps aren’t prophets or teachers (per se) we all have an audience and sphere and God wants us to be faithful not only to share but to live what we share. Concerning the Reformation Martin Luther penned:
“I simply taught, preached, wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing…I did nothing; the Word did it all…I did nothing; I left it to the Word…But it brings him (Satan) distress when we only spread the Word, and let it alone do the work.”
Teach the word faithfully and believe that it will do the work. Hebrews tells us:
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
Paul speaks of urgency and readiness in our teaching as well. The Truth we are communicating is a matter of life, death and eternity therefore the soldier in Christ’s army is ever on duty. To trifle with souls is an awful sin. God’s Word is powerful to change the hearts of people in all places at all times. We are to proclaim the whole Truth of God which not only gives us the way of salvation but also shows how we ought to live after we are redeemed. The servant of God who teaches the Word will never be at a loss for subjects with the whole of Scripture in His hand and in heart. We are to be consistent – our walks must match our talks or the message loses its power. We are to be faithful and to be constantly on the lookout for opportunities to glorify God and make Him known to others.
Also, we are to know our audience. Paul was a master at this. He gives three ways the Word is to be applied: Correct – to help others get back on the right path of righteousness; Rebuke – wrong beliefs, ungodly lifestyles; and Encourage – when facing fear, anxiety or great burdens. They must be shown their need and also their Christ centered solution. All this is to be done with great patience and love remembering always that sanctification (a Christian’s growth in Christlikeness) is a s.l.o.w. process. Amazingly slow. Consider the story of Charles Simeon:
John Piper writes: “Charles Simeon exhibited great patience. When he first came to Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, no one wanted him to be the minister. For example, the ‘pew holders’ locked the pew doors on Sunday mornings. They refused to participate in corporate worship and prevented any others from sitting down, allowing only standing individuals to worship. This lasted for about 12 years! They also would not allow him to preach the evening sermon! Yet Simeon – single his whole life – remained at this church for 54 years and eventually won the favor of many of his people. You can still read his faithful expositions. How did he endure? A friend said of him: ‘Simeon invariably rose every morning, though it was winter season, at four o’clock; and after lighting his fire; he devoted the first four hours of the day to private prayer and the devotional study of the Scriptures. Here was the secret of his great grace and spiritual strength.’”
“Study hard for the well of spiritual knowledge is deep, and our brains are shallow.” Richard Baxter
We are never to neglect our own preparedness. We have nothing to offer if we do. We cannot give what we ourselves do not have. Also, Paul adds that a time would come when people will not listen to Truth. They will no longer tolerate sound doctrine. Instead they surround themselves with those who will willingly teach them whatever their itching ears want to hear. Ever on the hunt for something new and exciting, people drift from healthy teaching to suit their own passions. We must be faithful in teaching the Truth because there is an absence of it in every generation. Paul charges us as well – continue on in the Word. Keep learning it. Keep believing it. Keep teaching it!
David Platt writes: “Recently one of our missionary friends showed us some pictures of a totally unengaged people group he and his family are going to minister among for the next three years. There has never been a church planted among this particular group of people in East Asia. We were struck by one notable photo. It was a picture of a casket. When individuals of this people group turn 65, they each build their own casket, and it just sits by their house. Our friends are going to share with these people ‘the promise of life in Christ Jesus’ so that when each one gets put in his or her casket, that person will be able to live forever ‘in His heavenly kingdom’. That picture of a casket is a reminder for everyone. We will all die. We must make this life count. We must be faithful to the end.”
Paul called Timothy to be different, we too are to be different. Timothy was charged to fulfill his ministry and so are we. God has a specific plan for each one of our lives and we are to walk in it. All for our good and His glory. We are to do the right thing as well. As Paul said in Philippians:
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:7-14 (NIV)
Paul ran his race to receive the crown and he wanted his protégé to do likewise. This would call for a clear head, moral alertness, and sober mindedness. We are not to freak out – losing our heads when we face opposition or hanging our heads when we face discouragement. Remain calm. Remain steady. This is an urgent directive as sober mindedness is a necessity for a child of the King. We are not to be puffed up with pride or turn to myths or mere fabrications of man’s mind. Rather we are told to keep our head in all situations, enduring hardships as a good soldier of Christ and thoroughly do our duties – wherever God has placed us. The eternity of others is always at stake.
Paul himself exemplified this cool and collected spirit later in this chapter. After saying that everyone deserted him in his first defense, he states in V16: “May it not be held against them”. Paul does not say, “I hope they all die and burn!” He is not reckless with his words. He is self-controlled, sober and merciful. This is an important point for us as well – we are to watch our words! James tells us:
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:5-8 (NIV)
A great prayer for us to pray regarding our words is King David’s prayer in Psalms 19:
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Likewise, may the Lord give us strength to be sober minded.
Timothy, like Paul, like us, was to endure hardship and continue through conflict. He was to be willing to suffer for faithfulness to the Truth. He was to avoid the deadly root of bitterness when things went south, avoid quitting due to violence or because things were getting hard but rather endure it following Paul’s stellar example. If he did not learn to endure hardship he could not fight the good fight of faith. Isaiah tells us:
9 “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Isaiah 7:9 (NIV)
Remember as well, all believers are called to spread the Word and unfortunately few take this call seriously. Jesus states:
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
There are enough half-hearted slackers – we need hardworking farmers in the field! Evangelism is labor! It is sowing and plowing everyday if we want to see fruit. Fill your heart with the gospel daily and keep your attention on Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12 tells us:
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
Elisabeth Elliot writes of Amy Carmichael:
“Amy Carmichael felt that the world had far too many run-of-the-mill Christians, cool, respectable, satisfied with the usual, the mediocre. Why bother to lay down one’s life to multiply the number of those?” Elisabeth Elliot
Remember, if you want to be faithful to the end, there are no shortcuts in the middle.
In the next verses (6-8) Paul issues his charge to Timothy in light of his impending martyrdom. Here we find some powerful words to all Christians about loving and serving Christ until the end of our days. Finishing well. We cannot die well if we do not live well.
In verse six Paul speaks of dying and departing. The first subject is illustrated with a sacrifice and the second is perhaps the image of a boat. Concerning the former, Paul states, “I am already being poured out like a drink offering.” About five years prior Paul had written to the Philippians this analogy to describe the possibility of his death:
17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:17-18 (NIV)
The details of Paul’s death are not given in Holy Scripture, but this picture of being poured out for Christ’s sake is still awe inspiring. As a Roman citizen Paul could not be crucified therefore he may have anticipated being beheaded in which case his blood would splatter like wine on the ground. This pouring out of life would be his offering of worship to Jesus. Paul’s entire life as a believer was about sacrificial service. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians:
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
When our life is over, will people be able to say of us, “They poured out their life for Christ’s sake?”
Next Paul adds “the time has come for my departure.” The word translated “departure” is also used in Greek literature for the loosing of a ship from its moorings or a soldier loosing the stakes of his tent. The image of a boat is indeed a beautiful one. What a wonderful image of Paul lifting the anchor, tossing aside the ropes, and joyfully sailing to a better place. The believer never really dies; they just depart. Paul longed for this final, ultimate voyage. He had earlier told the Philippians:
22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:22-26 (NIV)
This was Paul’s dream and now that the ship was about to depart – Paul was ready. His death was about to be swallowed up in victory. The question we need to pose to ourselves is, are we? Believers who approach their final days in this life can find comfort in these words. When we depart we are far better off. Paul puts his present sufferings in perspective in 2 Corinthians:
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
And again in Romans he adds:
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Another drink offering, Charles H. Spurgeon, said of his glorious departure: “To come to Thee is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labor, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes.”
Paul looks back on his life with triumph, and he uses three more word pictures associated with victory. First, he uses the analogy of a fight – “I have fought the good fight” our worn torn Apostle states. Paul was a spiritual warrior – he had great courage and boldness and patiently endured much dissension in his walk undergoing all kinds of struggles on his journeys. It had been about 30 years since Christ had called him on that Damascus Road and he had proven faithful to the call. What is more, Paul said ultimately his fight was beyond what the human eye could see. In Ephesians he writes:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)
Try to envision this faithful apostle writing this letter from a hole in the ground in Rome – sans comfort, sans companionship excepting, of course, our Lord Jesus. His words are weighty when he states to endure hardships in V5 as they come from one who had endured it to such a high degree.
Secondly, Paul states, “I have finished the race.” I love how he humbly states he finished the race rather than won the race. Some years earlier he had told the Ephesian elders in Acts that his goal was to finish the race and now he states triumphantly that he had finished it:
24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)
We all have a race to run. In Hebrews we are told to run with endurance the race marked out for us – fixing our eyes on Jesus. Paul’s great concern was to finish his course with joy. He wanted to finish well. That should also be our desire. We run faithfully by remembering the walks of those who have gone before us, by throwing off all that hinders us from faithfulness and by fixing our eyes on Jesus, our victorious King.
Lastly, Paul states “I have kept the faith”. Paul is most likely emphasizing his role as a steward of sound doctrine. He was a guardian of the Gospel as which we are to be as well. Earlier he had told Timothy “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching” and “Guard what has been entrusted to you”. Paul had faithfully held on to the Truth and had passed it on to others. Every Christian in general and leaders in particular should take heed: We have a fight to endure, a race to run and a priceless treasure to guard. God grant that everyone of us who confess the name of Jesus may be able to say that when we come to the end - “I have kept the faith!”
The final picture in Verses 6-8 is that of a “crown” or garland. Again, an athletic analogy is used. Garlands won by the Greeks were greatly prized. Here Paul speaks of a crown of infinitely greater worth! The crown he would receive is the crown of righteousness.
There is a difference between the gift of righteousness and the crown of righteousness. Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ receives the gift of righteousness. All of us are made the righteousness of God in Christ. We have no righteousness of our own. That which we fancy to be our righteousness is but as filthy rags in God’s sight. When we believe in the Lord Jesus, our faith is imputed to us for righteousness, and we stand before God cleared of every charge. That is our justification. That is perfect. That is complete. But the crown of righteousness is something quite different. It is the reward that is given to those who have lived righteous lives as they have waited expectantly for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, Paul says, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.” The Lord, the righteous Judge, will sit on the judgment seat where the works of believers will be examined.
Paul adds, “And not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” He was not thinking of himself only. He was not the only one who would receive a crown of righteousness. It was for all those who love and long for Christ’s appearing. Do we long for and love His appearing? Are we waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is that the guiding principle of our souls? The hope of the Lord’s coming is the most sanctifying thing going. If we are living day by day as one expecting the early return of our Lord we will not be carried away by trends of the times or easily yield to the alluring world, the insatiable flesh and the lures of Satan. May God grant that in that day not one of us will come up empty-handed.
This vision will keep us running the race. We are getting closer – keep running – keep fighting – keep guarding. Soon we will see Him as He is. We will see His nail scarred hands and look into His majestic eyes. His lips will move, and He will say, “Well done.” He will place a crown of your head. On that day we will not regret fighting, running and enduring for His name’s sake.
Next, in Verses 9-15, Paul lists nine people. Oftentimes, we quickly glance over the names mentioned at the end of most of Paul’s letters almost as if they were inconsequential. Yet, has God ordained for these names to be in Holy Writ and to be there for a purpose. In the first place, in order that they might be preserved for our instruction and help in a future day, and then to enable us to understand the circumstances in which Paul found himself at this time much better than we otherwise could. Let’s see what we can learn from them in an effort to examine our own faithfulness in finishing well.
From Paul’s final words here, we first see the value and importance of relationships. We were not made to be an island. We need each other. The most important things on the Apostle’s mind as he faced his death were Jesus and people. Indeed, Jesus stated all the commandments were summed up in two:
36 “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ 37 Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Love God, love people. Paul was not a lone ranger. He was always mentioning people in his letters. He longed for visits and words from others, He here mentions friends and foes, those who were faithful and those who were unfaithful, those who started well but departed and those who without such a stellar start became exemplary. Surely, some were of sweeter memories than others! As we run through this list it would behoove us to ask ourselves if we are being faithful or faithless to God and to one another.
I find it very interesting that in Verse 9 Paul begins with the plea for Timothy to come quickly. You sense a longing for companionship from his words. And rightly so. The cold dark prison cell was a lonely place. Paul would again entreat his son in the faith in Verse 21 spurring him for action to come visit soon. Paul had poured his heart and soul into Timothy and realizing his time was short he is very desirous to have one last visit. The Apostle believed his clock was ticking and time was short. Also, the winter months would soon be approaching which would inhibit travel. Yet the yearning for a visit also demonstrates the close bond between these two men. When one’s life is ebbing to an end we want to be around those we love. While Paul’s spirit longed to see his Savior, his flesh longed to hug his friend. And these two desires are not incompatible. John Stott writes:
“One sometimes meets super-spiritual people who claim that they never feel lonely and have no need for friends, for the companionship of Christ satisfies all their needs. But human friendship is the loving provision of God for mankind.”
Timothy was there in the beginning with Paul and he was there in the end as well. Next Paul mentions Demas, whom the Apostle states loved the world and deserted him. While people can be wonderful sources of joy, they can also be sources of discouragement. Enter Demas. The word “deserted” which Paul chose to describe Demas’ departure is a strong verb meaning to utterly abandon and leave someone helpless in a dire situation. His desertion brought pain to Paul. According to other passages, Demas was previously a “coworker” who worked with Luke. Demas started positively and ended up negatively – he loved this present world over Christ’s appearing. It is hard to tell exactly what this means since details are not given but at the very least we know he had misplaced affections. When we have wrong loves, we live a wrong life. It is astonishing to think about a guy who hung out with Paul but later fell away. Demas reminds us of Judas – he was a fair-weather disciple.
While Demas’s desertion hurt Paul, three other departures seem to have received the Apostle’s blessings. Crescens and Titus appear to have been sent out on mission – Crescens to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. While nothing else is known about Crescens in the New Testament, Titus is no stranger to us. Apparently, he had finished his assignment in Crete and was now sent on a new assignment. Elsewhere, Paul calls him “my true son” and speaks of him as an exemplary friend and gospel partner. He brought comfort to Paul and others and he appears to be a strong equipper of leaders. Paul trusted Titus to lead struggling churches.
Tychicus also appears to have been a positive associate demonstrating a consistent life of faithfulness. He was the loyal bearer of the letter to the Colossians and Ephesians. That’s a big assignment indeed! Hand delivering a book of the Bible – although certainly unbeknownst to him. It is possible that he took the present letter to Timothy also. Because these three men were sent out – Crescens, Titus and Tychicus – it increased Paul’s need for Timothy’s companionship.
Paul states that only Luke the beloved physician remained with him. This is not to be read as a disparaging comment against Luke as Luke was a loyal friend and companion to Paul. Luke was a tough friend for tough times. He was with Paul in prison from the first time to the last. He was Paul’s biographer, and the “we” passages in Acts indicate that he was with the Apostle during some of the most difficult times. Certainly, Paul was glad to have Luke with him.
Paul next asks Timothy to bring with him Mark as he was helpful to his ministry. Mark’s story is an encouraging one. He started out with many incredible privileges and opportunities. His mother’s home was one of the main places for the Jerusalem church. Peter joined the disciples in this home after miraculously getting out of prison. Mark was an eyewitness of Jesus and may have been the young man who ran away (naked!) at Jesus’ arrest. He was familiar with the life and ministry of Jesus.
When Paul went on his first missionary journey, Mark went with him. For some reason, however, Mark went home. Later, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them on another trip, but Paul rejected the idea because he viewed Mark as a deserter. This ended up with Barnabas and Mark going one way and Paul and Silas another. As the years went on, we find this difference had passed away. Mark gets restored and is later present with Paul during the Apostle’s first imprisonment. Paul calls him a “coworker”. Peter also mentions Mark as his “son”. Here, after some twenty years since that original separation, Mark makes the short list of reliable friends and companions.
Mark’s story should give fallen Christians hope. Despite rejection, possible shame, hurt, and failure, Mark is restored and put back in the game. Mark was not only useful to Paul, he was used by God to write the Gospel of Mark! Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Mark gives us the action packed Gospel focusing on the suffering Messiah. This Messiah restored him and can restore us all by His grace.
Paul next asks Timothy to bring his cloak and scrolls when he comes especially the parchments. To me, this just gives Paul an image of humanness! He so often appears super-human in Holy Writ that when a verse shows he had desire/need I can SO relate! The worn torn Apostle was cold and needed his cloak and wanted his books. It is unsure what the scrolls and parchments contained but if they had parts of the Scriptures we can readily understand why he would have been so anxious to receive them. I lean towards that. Stott states:
“When our spirit is lonely, we need friends. When our body is cold, we need clothing. When our mind is bored, we need books. To admit this is not unspiritual; it is human.”
Paul had evidently been visiting Carpus at Troas and for some unknown reason entrusted his possessions to Carpus perhaps because of his future whereabouts being uncertain – possibly prison (and indeed it was) - and these items would have been very valuable to Paul and he wanted them in safe hands.
Paul mentions Alexander the metalworker next whom he states had done him much harm. He may have been an idol maker who resented Paul for cutting into his bottom line. Paul, like King David, remarked that the Lord would repay him. King David states in Psalms 28:
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. 4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. Psalm 28:3-4 (NIV)
Remember ladies it is God’s to avenge – He will repay – in His perfect timing for His glory. Paul is warning his protégé to be on his guard regarding Alexander because he strongly opposed their message and his opposition was evil.
Paul next mentions his lack of human support at his first defense. Some could not be there because of other tasks, and others would not be there because of fear or other reasons. This courageous missionary of the church did not have one single Christian alongside him during his darkest days.
Paul reminds us of Jesus. Previously Paul like Jesus, went to Jerusalem knowing that he was walking into his death. Now Paul is in his own garden of Gethsemane and states everyone had deserted him. Yet Paul knew he was not alone because the Lord stood by his side and gave him strength so that the message might be proclaimed and the Gentiles might hear.
The Apostle knew that he was safely in God’s hand - right smack in the center of His good, pleasing and perfect will and that was the most profitable place for him to be. God is never taken by surprise and the Apostle’s life was all part of His redeeming plan. Certainly, he is one that could be listed in the
Hebrews Hall of Fame Chapter 11 which states “the world was not worthy of them.” Therefore, in Christ’s power this warn torn Apostle heralded the gospel to the Gentiles who were present. His dominant concern was not himself but the message of Christ. What an amazing illustration of 2 Timothy 4:1-2:
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)
Paul knew that he knew that he knew God provides us the strength, gives us the message, protects us from evil, and will ultimately bring us to heaven. God deserves all the glory: “To Him be the glory forever and ever.”
Lastly, ever thinking of others, in verses 19-21 Paul sends out his final greetings to other saints. He mentions old friends and new friends – coworkers who exemplified steady faithfulness to our Lord Jesus. These individuals were loyal servants and were dear to his heart. While some may be unknown to us they were certainly not unknown to God. Our service to the Lord Jesus never goes unnoticed by the Master. The church has been blessed, enriched and strengthened throughout the ages by such unsung heroes. It is a reminder to us as well to remain faithful to the task of following hard after Christ.
“Let this be a warning to me, O Lord. Set thou a guard before my eyes, ears, and other faculties, lest the world again should enter through these avenues of the heart: if the spark be not speedily extinguished, it will soon break out into a flame: thus sin is of a progressive nature, and its venom spreads very quickly and very wide, unless it be stopped and opposed in time. Watch, therefore, over this unsteady heart of mine, O thou Keeper of Israel; that as soon as it begins to wander from thee, I may be alarmed to flee from sin as from a serpent. Give me grace to look upon every hour as my last; so that being ever wisely upon my guard I may meet thee with joy when my time is run out, whenever it shall please thee to call me hence.” K. H. Von Bogatzky
“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” 2 Timothy 4:22
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.
