First Mennonite Church
July 28, 2024
Paul and Timothy A Final Charge
Text: 2Timothy 4:6-18
In the past couple of weeks, we got to see part of Paul’s life and ministry as we studied some passages in the book of Acts of the Apostles. We got to see just a little bit of his life, before becoming a follower of Jesus. Paul was a zealous Pharisee who in his quest to protect his tradition fiercely persecuted those who followed Jesus. Then we saw his dramatic conversion and his passion to proclaim Jesus as God’s Messiah, who also is Lord and Savior of all. We saw some of the challenges he faced because of proclaiming the gospel. We saw him defending the faith and being arrested and imprisoned for the sake of Christ.
Our passage today is considered to be sort of the last words of Paul before his execution in Rome. As we see, there is a very intimate feel in Paul’s words to Timothy, regarding what he must do in terms of ministry, but also in regards to the people and things he must get for Paul before his death.
But first, here is something we should know about Paul that leads him to freely speak in the way he does here. Paul viewed Jesus’ sacrificial love as his model for life and ministry. It is remarkable that in this short letter (2Timothy) the word “suffering” occurs the most compared to any other letters of Paul. Paul says that he suffers for the sake of Christ and encourages Timothy to not be ashamed of suffering for the sake of Christ either. Paul makes his appeal to Timothy: Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2:3).
As Paul says in the last part of our passage, his suffering is not only for being imprisoned at the time of his writing to Timothy. His suffering is compounded by the fact of being deserted by every one of his close friends, except by Luke. Paul even mentions someone who has done him great harm: Alexander the metalworker. Paul paints for us a picture of himself as a lonely old man behind prison bars, writing a farewell letter to a dear friend encouraging him not to pursue his calling.
Therefore, the chapter opens with Paul’s solemn charge to Timothy: 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. . . . The urgency and solemnness of Paul’s charge are in light of his sense of the nearness of God. God’s presence inspires, moves, and compels Paul in every way and much more as he addresses Timothy for the last time. This sense of God’s closeness in Paul’s life is intensified by his knowledge that when everything is said and done in life, every person must appear before the ultimate judge—Jesus Christ. He will bring to account every action, every word, and even the intentions of heart on that last day. Jesus will judge the living and the dead on the day of his appearing and his kingdom. Thus, Paul urges Timothy to keep [his] head in all situations, to endure hardship, to do the work of an evangelist, and to discharge all the duties of [his] ministry (4:5). Paul also warns Timothy about some abandoning the faith and sound teaching only to follow teachers who appeal to their taste and take issues that soothe their itchy ears. These people will prefer myths rather than the truth.
Here also and in contrast to what Paul said to the Philippians where he wrote: “Brothers and sisters, 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” Paul is confident that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Paul expresses his satisfaction about everything he did in his life. He feels he has fulfilled his duty and has done it with satisfaction. He feels he has arrived the finish line. Now the only thing waiting for him is to receive the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award him.
It is true that these words were addressed to a church leader, but the charge, the warning, and the lesson apply to every believer in Christ.
So what are some of the lessons we can glean from this passage?
First, it is about our perspective of life. The poet Bradford Smith wrote after he was diagnosed with cancer, “No one has reached maturity until he has learned to face the facts of his own death and shaped his own way of living accordingly.”[1] Paul understood his calling as an act of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Thus, he fashioned his life according to Jesus’ way, which inspired Paul to say with such conviction: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). And again in Romans, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (14:7, 8).
Therefore, when we come to see our lives as gifts from God, such vision powerfully shapes the way we live daily. When we see life as a gift from God we live every day with gratitude, joy, and contentment. It gives us comfort to know that we are not alone. It gives us peace of mind at the knowledge that whatever lies ahead and even when we face our death God remains by our side.
Another lesson we find here is that Paul is not shy to mention that there will be people who will leave the church. Even when there were always people coming to faith through Paul’s ministry, there were some who abandoned the faith.
One last thing. When Paul speaks about his suffering and about his imminent death, he reveals how he sees his life. He sees his life as a libation, that is, a drink offering that is poured over a sacrifice before it is set alight on the altar. Let us remember that Paul is looking death in the eyes. However, Paul reminds Timothy about his suffering but not for the sake of dwelling in them. Paul is not like some people who dwell in their suffering. Yes, some people love to wallow in their pain, losses, and past hurt for others to have pity on them. That is not what Paul does here. Instead, he recounts his suffering and faces his death to highlight the mercy and faithfulness of God. So Paul wrote: Lord stood at my side and gave me strength (verse 17) The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen” (verse 18). Paul used his suffering and imminent death as an opportunity to give glory to God. Paul recounted his struggles as a way to encourage Timothy to rely on the Lord’s strength when difficult times come for Timothy.
So, what is our goal when we speak about our troubles? What do we try to communicate when we share about the struggles we are facing? May we experience God’s healing, strength, and presence in our daily living so that our experiences of God’s love be the center of our sharing with others. Amen!
Pastor Romero
[1] Bradford Smith. Dear Gift of Life: A Man’s Encounter with Death. Pendle Hill Publications, 2015