Thursday, September 17 –
We come to Thursday and the last chapter of 2
Timothy. Please read 2 Timothy 4:1 – 22,
and when you have finished that, please come back as we take a second look at
the chapter.
It’s surreal to realize that we are reading the last words the Apostle Paul
ever wrote. Paul makes it clear in 4:6-8
that this is the end of his life. The
execution of Paul would be by beheading – saved from crucifixion because he was
a Roman citizen. We are reading this as
if it is divorced from what preceded it – which is the classic mistake of not
reading the context by avoiding chapter divisions. Paul had just told Timothy to remain firm in
his faith, even though things will get even more difficult, and that the
Scriptures are God’s revelation that Timothy has known since a child
(3:14-17). As we begin chapter 4, we
realize the words that come from Paul are not as abrupt as they sound, but
merely a way of applying the importance of the word of God to Timothy’s call as
a Pastor, teacher –
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge
the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the
word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with
complete patience and teaching” (4:1-2).
It is a solemn exhortation. It is
not Paul who is telling Timothy to preach the word, it is Jesus Christ, the
judge of the living and the dead and whose Kingdom is to come, who is speaking
to him through Paul – “preach the word”! It is the risen Lord Jesus – who is building
His Kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel, and who someday will complete
the Kingdom in his return to earth – whose orders Timothy is under.
Paul knows that life for him is ending, and he will enter
into Christ Jesus’ heavenly kingdom. He
had told the Philippians that he wanted to depart to be with Christ but also
wanted to stay on to complete the work God had given him to do (Philippians
1:23-25). His work on earth is over, and
his death is a reminder to Timothy, and to us, all, that “… people are
destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Paul reminds Timothy that where he is going,
to stand before His Savior is where Timothy and all others will someday go
also. The words are especially
poignant. The word of God (2 Timothy
3:16-17) is the authority of God manifest in words. Paul reminds Timothy – “you have no authority
in yourself to do what the word of God preached can do,” so “preach the word.” Then, in another sobering note, he adds – “For
the time will come when people 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. They will turn their ears away
from the truth and turn aside to myths” (4:3-4).
Welcome to the first century, and all of the other centuries to follow,
especially the twenty-first century.
Doctrine is a dirty word among many churches. People will look at a Pastor who teaches doctrine
and express their disdain with words like – “can’t you teach something that
is practical to my world?” The NIV
translates “doctrine” while the ESV translates “sound teaching.” The word “sound” is the adjective, and the
word “teaching” or “doctrine” is from the Greek word, didaskalia (did as ka
lee ah), which is translated 19 out of 21 occurrences in the New Testament
as “doctrine.” Doctrine is the truths of
Scripture applied across the whole of Scripture. Doctrine requires both theological and biblical
perspectives and the role of the pastor/teacher is to present the truth of God,
from Scripture, comprehensively and correctly.
The opposite of that is shoddy religious talks, full of pious platitudes
and entertaining stories – all designed by the speaker to avoid serious study
of God’s word. Paul says people will
turn away from doctrine and embrace the things they want to hear. Television evangelists with glitzy shows that
minimize Scripture to put on a “feel good” pep rally make it easy for people to
escape serious thinking about God, his word, and their lives.
Paul to Timothy – “As for you, always be sober-minded,
endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (4:5). The Pastor who is willing to talk about Sin,
the Law, Jesus, the Gospel, and teach expositionally from the Scriptures week
in and week out is the person Paul is talking about. Four personal instructions, and four
imperatives are meant to grab Timothy’s attention that he might “fulfill
your ministry.” Paul was here…his
time was up, and he had done all that Christ Jesus had asked of him to do -
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my
departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved His appearing” (4:6-8).
I cannot think of any three sentences more beautifully summing up a life
lived for God. One of my favorite
authors, now home with the Lord himself, is Henri Nouwen. He writes in his book The Inner Voice of
Love – which was published after his death – of this reality that awaits us
all -
“The years that lie behind you, with all their struggles and pains, will in
time be remembered only as the way that led to your new life. But as long as
the new life is not fully yours, your memories will continue to cause you pain.
When you keep reliving painful events of the past, you can feel victimized by
them.”[1]
We are meant for new life in Christ, both in this life and in the life to come
– don’t waste the opportunities to live faith in living “the good fight,
finishing the race.” The ministry
Paul had lived was both – a fight for the proclamation of the Gospel, and a
marathon he kept running till the end.
He has “kept the faith,” i.e., safely guarded that which was entrusted
to him – the Gospel. The crown that
awaits Paul, a crown of righteousness, has nothing to do with Paul earning it
through his hard work. Paul had
repeatedly said, “Justification was by grace through faith in Jesus Christ,”
and he’s not changing his message at the end.
Dr. Stott once again explains the reference so eloquently – “It is
hardly necessary to emphasize Paul’s continuing conviction that salvation is a
free gift of God’s grace, ‘not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own
purpose and ... grace’ (1:9). The crown of righteousness is awarded to all
those who ‘have set their hearts on his coming appearance’ (NEB), not because
this is a meritorious attitude to adopt but because it is a sure evidence of
justification.”[2]
It is a comforting thought that each generation is turned over, and others
take their place. No two are alike, and
comparisons are not wise. Paul is
turning all things over to Timothy, who will likewise need to do that
also. God is a God of history, and while
we, as humans, come and go, he remains sovereignly working out his purposes in
his own time and way.
In 4:9 – 18, Paul speaks personally to Timothy of both
people and tasks. He asks Timothy to
come to him as soon as possible (4:9).
We have no record that Timothy arrived before he was executed. He gives a listing of friends and failures in
4:10-12. Some have stayed alongside him,
others have left or even deserted him.
Paul now gives Timothy some tasks:
“bring the cloak I left behind,” “the books,” and “most of all the
parchments” (4:13). These are personal to Paul.
A coat to keep him warm, books to read, and Scripture written on
scrolls, and precious to him. Next, he
recounts the name of an opponent (4:14) who he reminds Timothy, God will deal
with him, but you beware of him. In a
sad but forgiving way, Paul recounts how no one came to his defense in Rome
when he stood trial before Caesar, except the Lord, who emboldened him in his
defense (4:16-17). His praise to God in
4:18 encompasses not only God’s encouragement but his remembrance of all the
times God had come to his aid and will do so right up to the time he “brings
me safely into His heavenly Kingdom.”
Paul’s conclusion is typical of his other letters. Greetings to some, another reminder to come
if possible, and greetings from people whose names are Roman – hence believers
in Rome. Paul ends with a short goodbye,
and a blessing towards his Son, Timothy –
“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you” (4:22).
We have one more of Paul’s letters to read – his letter to Titus. Yet, this is
the last of words written upon the earth.
What do we make of this letter written so beautifully for his
son-in-Christ? Paul loves Timothy but understands
that his death is only the beginning of tough times ahead for Pastors and
Christians in the Roman empire. Paul had
spent thirty years in Christ’s ministry.
His life had been difficult, with much opposition and persecution. He did not wish this upon Timothy, but he
knew it was the reality for a faithful worker in God’s Kingdom. The world’s opposition to the Gospel has not
varied throughout the history of the Church.
The exclusivity of the Gospel – that Jesus Christ is the only Way,
Truth, and Life – has always created angry, if not violent reaction. Yet, the Gospel is good news because it
reminds all humans that life in Christ is the only way to eternal life. It is the Scriptures – God-inspired and given
to us through faithful writers – that testifies to Christ Jesus, and salvation
in Christ alone. Paul had lived his
life, as he ended his letter to Timothy – “…To him be the glory forever and
ever. Amen. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you” (4:18, 22). It would be impossible to find a better
summary of the Apostle Paul’s life than these concluding sentences. The Reformers spoke of Paul’s commitment to
the Gospel as a commitment of every generation of those who name the name of
Jesus Christ – Sola Gratia, By Grace Alone; Sola Fide, through faith alone;
Sola Scriptura, through the Scripture alone; Solus Christus, In Christ Alone;
Soli Deo Gloria, For the Glory of God Alone. Amen.
Peace
[1]
Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love, Image Books, page 34.
[2]
Dr. John R. Stott, The Message of 2 Timothy, The Bible Speaks Today,
page 115
Comments