For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

(16) At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me.  May it not be charged against them. 

(17) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.  Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18) And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.

The Apostle Paul, imprisoned in Rome and condemned to die, wrote this second letter to this young pastor in the faith who clearly was beloved by Paul.  The verses we study today are intensely personal and we have Paul’s last words.  He knows death is imminent and states with great confidence that the gospel he has preached since his conversion at Damascus is truth.  Paul, in this letter, teaches for the last time that salvation is through God’s grace by faith in Christ rather than man’s good works.  Paul has also emphasized the divine inspiration of the Scriptures.  He encourages Timothy to use his (Paul’s) words, given by God; to keep the faith and run his marathon with his eyes on Christ as the goal.  Paul continues to use the Olympic athletic games as a metaphor for his life and service.  Paul has completed his work for Christ. run his own marathon and the laurel wreath or crown of righteousness is to be his prize.  The last part of verse 8 tells us this same reward awaits all those who have run the Christian race successfully.  Words to live and die by.

Paul’s words were based on an ancient (Old Testament) practice of pouring out wine after sacrifice was offered, to give a pleasing aroma to God and symbolize the offering itself.   The drink offering here was to be Paul’s blood.  Paul is telling Timothy that his life has been a sacrifice to Christ Jesus and now that sacrifice was shortly to be completed – this was a transaction of will, not of sentiment.  Paul is offering his sacrifice in context of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.  Service and witness are inseparable in Paul’s writings

Paul tells Timothy that the time of his departure is at hand and this was a very common metaphor for death – Paul clearly thought of his death as entrance into the presence of God.  In his final words Paul was not dreading his “departure” but was being called home for which he longed.  The process of departure has begun.  There is no excitement:  he is matter of face with no affectation of stoicism.  Paul speaks of this very personally to Timothy to give him courage and example. I find it so interesting that Paul’s anticipation of death did not dull his interest in God’s work in this world.  It did not hinder him from pursuing his daily interests and concerns – he directs Timothy about his books and parchments and then the cloak for warmth; movements of his small group of friends immediately follow his words about his impending death.

Life is a series of departures and this is Paul’s last.  Paul is confident that Jesus Christ has abolished death even though the physical portion of it remains.  These words are his last – he is ready to leave this visible and fleeting realm to go home to essential and eternal life.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, (15) and that from childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

(16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(4:1) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: (2) Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

The second letter of the Apostle Paul to Timothy was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome, condemned to death for his gospel of salvation by free grace to believers in the completed works of Christ Jesus.  This is probably Paul’s last letter and in it he asks Timothy to come to him in Rome and to bring him his cloak before the winter. – imagine the wet and cold prison for an old, badly used, man.   It is universally acknowledged by the historical data from that time that Paul was executed by Nero and Nero died in June of 68 A.D.  So this letter dates no later than the fall of 67 A.D – and we don’t know if Timothy arrived with the warm cloak.

Just prior to the verses we study today, Paul had warned Timothy about certain religious persecution so that Timothy would be prepared to endure coming hardships and to stand firm in his ministry.  Paul’s words here are emphatic and remind Timothy that the gospel he learned from Paul and the scripture learned from his grandmother and mother is trustworthy and has a firm foundation – truths not only to live by but to die for.  Paul makes it clear that words in scripture have the inherent ability to give wisdom and the  wisdom from scripture leads to salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.  In verse 16 Paul writes that ALL scripture is inspired by God.  All – every word with no exception.  Jewish teaching and that of all the early Christian church was in agreement with this.   The Bible is not a witness to revelation but is revelation given by God.  It’s origin is divine.Paul further says that all scripture is profitable – it serves to meet the moral and spiritual needs of men; it attests to it’s divine inspiration; it teaches sound doctrine.

In our reading today we can hear Paul’s warning to not confuse salvation with sentimentality.  Paul commands Timothy to preach the Word or the Scripture – meaning this preaching is essential and is to be given top priority.  This is Paul’s final appeal/command based on the coming judgment and Paul’s approaching death:  preach the message of the gospel.  Preaching should be a presentation of biblical truth, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical and spirit guided study of a passage in its context.  Preaching is primary and expository preaching (based on the Bible) is paramount.  This is the reason I am writing this blog – my aim is that when I am done you can look at your Bible and understand what it is saying and how it applies to your life.

A man I much admire said that man worries about what he thinks of God but what matters is what God thinks of man.  Scripture is based on truth and is for our information and transformation and as Paul tells us in Romans,” it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”  Later in Romans, chapter 10, verse 14 Paul writes: “ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?”

(2nd Timothy 4:2) ” Preach the word.”  I feel that many (most) of our religious institutions today have forgotten these last words of Paul and that people are hungry for the Word of God

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.  (10)Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

(11) This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,  We shall also live with Him,

(12) If we endure,  We shall also reign with Him,

If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

(13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

The Apostle Paul wrote the 2nd letter to Timothy while a prisoner in Rome.  Paul was treated as a criminal for “my gospel” and was chained to a guard day and night:  he had been condemned to death.  This was probably Paul’s final letter before his death and includes his final instructions – and encouragement – for Timothy.  In chapter 4, verses 6 and 7 of this letter Paul writes: ” For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ”  Paul has finished the marathon, steadfast in his faith in Christ Jesus as the ultimate example.

Paul is commanding that Timothy remember the gospel – that Jesus could not be overcome by death and rose in triumph from the grave.  His promises never fail of fulfillment –  Jesus is not a dead Messiah but a resurrected, living Messiah; raised and living eternal.  Paul leaves for Timothy not the vision of a crucified Jesus but that of a risen Lord.

Paul suffered much but had learned to be content in whatever circumstances for Christ’s sake – the transforming work of the gospel of Jesus Christ made it possible for him to endure all afflictions.    The Apostle was in prison but tells Timothy (and us) that the Word of God has never and can never be suppressed.  The power of God’s word has never been dependent on man and protections or subject to man’s restriction.  It cannot be imprisoned.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  (8) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

(13)Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  (14)That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

This second letter to Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul.  This is a transcendant, personal letter from a dear mentor saying he has been deserted by his associates; he is in a Roman dungeon for the very truths he is urging Timothy in his ministry to teach; and that he (Paul) is about to die for the gospel.  Paul would not do this if he felt Timothy would bow to fear or timidity but instead encouraged Timothy to recognize his weakness and to trust in God – as did Paul trust in God.

Paul refers to the sincere faith in Timothy – “O man of God”.  Paul writes that the gift of the spirit is from God and we vacillate when the focus is on ourselves and not on the Lord who is sufficient.  In the face of ominous developments – imperial hostility and persecution, there was a need for spiritual power and aggressive energy.  Christians needed to work, endure, suffer and die if need be for the love to Christ and of the souls of men whatever risk of consequences to self.  To be at peace is to be right with God, not the world.  Unsaved people have peace in an absence of conflict; Christians enjoy peace in spite of threats because of the presence of power, the Holy Spirit.  God does not give us a spirit of fear.

Paul now commands Timothy to follow the teachings he heard from Paul.  Paul writes that he (Paul) is the model for imitation as he was an Apostle by God’s will.  Timothy is to keep Paul’s doctrinal beliefs and to pass them on intact.  Paul was open about his past so others might hear and take courage that grace which changed him would/could change them too.  Paul was living proof that God can save any sinner – he was the model/ pattern.

It was imperative to Paul that Timothy hold fast and use the doctrinal words he heard Paul use.  They needed to be accurate and to be a norm for future teachers – vitally connected to the doctrine of verbal and written inspiration which holds that the Bible writers wrote down in God chosen words the truth given by revelation.  Paul commands Timothy to guard the treasure of the gospel – to preserve it pure and entire to be transmitted to those who come after.

We don’t know if Timothy came to Paul before he was executed.  Paul asked for his letters and parchments to be brought to him in prison – and also his warm cloak which he had left behind.  i find this last request to be so utterly human and touching.  Paul was executed in late 67 A.D or 68 A.D.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  (12)Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  13) I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnesses the good confession before Pontius Pilate, (14)that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, (15)which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, (16)who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power.  Amen

Timothy was left by the Apostle Paul as pastor of the Christian church Paul founded at Ephesus.  Paul wrote this pastoral letter to Timothy when his (Paul’s) return was delayed.  Paul addresses numerous problems – doctrinal and disciplinary problems – in the ancient church and his advice and direction to Timothy is timeless and relevant to the church of Christ today.

Paul also addressed the theological values at the heart of the gospel – salvation is through God’s grace rather than our own good works and we must accept God’s gift – we must lay hold of it.  In Chapter 6 that we study today, Paul is telling Timothy how to finish the race of this life – to go the distance.  Living a life of Godliness is not easy over the long haul.  When we are born again and confess Jesus Christ as our savior we begin our apprenticeship as Christians.  We spend the rest of our lives becoming what and who we are.  The best example I can think of comes from Stuart Briscoe who married and was declared a husband.  He is spending the rest of his life becoming what he is.  So also we claim to be born again but where is the evidence?  Life is not a sprint but a marathon and we must exercise disclipline and patience and prayer to finish well for there is a dreadful attrition rate.

Interestingly, Paul is urging Timothy to flee and not fight in chapter 6, verse 6.  Here Paul is specifically referring to fleeing love of money and false doctrine – fleeing worldliness and pleasures of the flesh – living a self centered life;  acquiring things and outward status rather than pursue a godly character.

The Apostle Paul is not just advocating running away but also pursuing – eagerly going after – righteousness or conformity to God’s word; trust in Christ as our savior.  Having been justified by faith in Christ, the Christian must pursue a life of righteousness and diligently pursue Godliness:  reverence, awe, dependability, trust in God, love (it’s easy to love someone who is loveable but not so easy when they are not loveable), steadfastness, discipline, gentleness, kindness.

The Church has faced repeated heresies and here Paul is clarifying the truth.  This is important because some may declare unity, love and tolerance as the chief Christian virtues and put it to us as false pride if we denounce them.  However, Paul believed in confrontation to defend and clarify the truth of the gospel.  Paul did not believe in compromise.  This is excellent to ponder in our lives today.