Paul's Last Words

Paul's Last Words

2 Timothy 4:1-18

It is the year A.D. 64, and the great apostle is lying in a damp Roman prison cell waiting for his final trial. Two charges are filed against him; one, taking part in the burning of Rome; the other, treason, in attempting to change the established customs of society and weaken imperial authority. All his friends, except Luke, have forsaken him; he is becoming nerved for martyrdom; before his fate is sealed - he writes a final farewell word to Timothy. He began, "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!"

Life is very serious. We are always standing before God who is our judge. We should learn to do everything in the presence of God. This makes every word and act serious. If only we were more conscious of God and of eternity - we would live better!

"Preach the Word." Timothy was not making the most of himself. He seems to have been indolent - he was not preaching with the burning ardor which should characterize a minister of Christ. Paul wished to stir him up to do better work. He charges him to preach the Word, not only in season - at the stated times of public service - but out of season, wherever and whenever he had opportunity. Many of us are not making the most of our life. We are not doing our best in our efforts to help save the world. From this Roman prison comes the call to everyone to arouse his best energies in behalf of the kingdom of Christ. 

"Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience." The minister is to watch the souls entrusted to his care - as a shepherd watches his sheep. Yet no duty of friendship is so difficult as that of reproof or rebuke. Too often the word of admonition is sharp, bitter, and censorious. Paul wisely adds that we need to have all patience in our exhorting or rebuking of others. Words of reproof should always be spoken in love and patience.

Not always do people receive graciously the simple truths of God's Word. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear!" Plain, old fashioned teaching is not brilliant enough to please them. The old, old story lacks interest, and they want something new. The fault is with the hearers, not with the teachers. "Take heed how you hear," is one of the Master's wise exhortations. Of course, one should teach well. There is no excuse for being boring or dull in presenting the truths of Christianity. Paul urges Timothy to do his part with earnestness for the very reason that the people would be apt to turn away to fables, instead of listening to the old gospel.

The words of exhortation are emphasized by Paul's closing message about himself. They were his parting thoughts. Before he had spoken of Timothy - now he spoke of himself, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

"I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure." It is interesting to study Paul's view of death as we have a glimpse of it here. He thinks of it in two ways. He was about to die as a martyr, and this made his death an offering to God. His life would be poured out on the altar as a sacrifice.

Then he also thinks of it as a departure, not the end of life - but a going away to another country. The body is only a temporary home. At death he leaves it and goes on to his permanent abiding place. For the Christian dying is not the end - it is only a departure from the frail tabernacle to the eternal house - from the body of weakness and mortality, to be home with Christ. 

"I have fought the good fight." Here we have Paul's retrospect. It was a fight. It was a race. It was a trust, something given to keep and guard and use, and bring home at last unimpaired.
"I have kept the faith." Everyone's life is a trust - something he has to answer for. Whatever God gives us is a trust. 

"Now there is in store 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 also to all who have longed for His appearing."

There is something to live for - besides the pleasure of success in this world. Those who live the life of faith will receive the crown of glory! One may even fail in this world's struggles, not making a success of his life, as men estimate life, and yet be wonderfully successful in the true sense, gaining eternal reward. If we live well in this present world. If we live well in this present world - if we lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven!

~J. R. Miller~

(The End)