SCRIPTURE: 2 TIMOTHY 4
BIBLE VERSES:
“ Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“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. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:3-5)
“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 4:7-8)
“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:17-18)
In view of Christ’s coming, Paul instructed Timothy to be ready to preach the Word in every opportunity with careful instruction and patience in correcting, rebuking and encouraging the believers. He warned that many Christians would prefer religious entertainment and myths that they wanted to hear and turn away from the truth. He reminded him that as an evangelist, he had to discharge all his duties of ministry and endure hardship in all situations.
Paul knew his departure was coming. And he had won a difficult race when he declared: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith” (v. 7) He knew he wilL be awarded a glorious crown of righteousness by the Lord not only to him but to all who have longed for his appearance.
PERSONAL REMARKS (vs. 9-18)
Paul was disappointed because many had deserted him. Among them were Demas, Crescens, and Titus. Only Luke came with him. The man who did him a great deal of harm was Alexander the metal worker. But Paul had great confidence that the Lord will rescue him from every evil attack and will bring him safely to his heavenly kingdom (v. 18)
FINAL GREETINGS: (vs. 19-22)
Paul gave his final greetings to Priscilla, Aquila, the household of Onesiphorus, Erastus and Trophimus. People who sent greetings to Timothy were: Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers. He asked Timothy to come as soon as possible and bring Mark with him.
THOUGHTS:
Paul’s final message to Timothy were: to preach the word and to fulfill his ministry. This is also applicable to us. We must be ready to share the Word of God to others in season and out of season. That means we have to know the Word and making it understandable and applicable to the lives of the people. We have to impart knowledge that will lead our listener to obedience in God’s truth. To fulfill our ministry, we must also be ready to serve God in any situation. We should be morally alert to temptation, resistant to pressure and vigilant when facing heavy responsibilities.
As Paul neared the end of his life, he could face death calmly and with confidence of his reward. How about you? Can you boldly say: “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith”.
Paul ended his final chapter greeting those close to him. We should likewise remember our friends and maintain personal relationship with them.
Before Paul reached the end of his life, he had left a living legacy of Timothy to pass on the torch of proclaiming the good news and discipleship for the next generation. What legacy will you leave behind?