2 Timothy CONCLUSION
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Paul understands that he is about to be executed. He knows what will happen to him but his concern is for the gospel and its messengers so he says to Timothy, ‘But as for you, Timothy, you must fulfill your ministry.’
We see this same charge throughout Scripture; Joshua as he was to follow Moses, Soloman following David, Elisha following Elijah, and of course, the disciples following Christ.
the time of my departure has come; We have already discussed the various metaphors that the Scriptures use for death. Here Paul likens it to a departure, going on a journey.
“Already the anchor is weighed, the ropes are slipped, and the boat is about to set sail for another shore.”
As Paul waits for this voyage to begin he reflects on his 30 years of ministry.
- I have fought the good fight; again referring to the solider metaphor.
? What did Paul know about soldiers??
? What could the good soldier expect to experience??
Soldiers on active duty expected hardship. They knew that it would not be safe or easy. Hardship, risk, uncertainty, suffering were all to be expected. These things were not unexpected or abnormal.
“No soldier comes to the war surrounded by luxuries, nor goes into action from a comfortable bedroom, but from the makeshift and narrow tent, where every kind of hardness and severity and unpleasantness is to be found. Similarly, the Christian should not expect an easy time. If he is loyal to the gospel, he is sure to experience opposition and ridicule. He must share in suffering with his comrades in arms.” Tertullian
- I have finished the race; referring to the athlete metaphor.
The athlete must train. This takes self-discipline. It is strenuous.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- I have kept the faith.
In other words, I have guarded, I have preserved as a faithful steward, the gospel that had been committed to my trust. I did not alter it, dilute it to suit my audience, change it, no, I kept the faith intact, just as it had been handed to me.
- Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day
Paul’s faith was so real that he lived it out in every aspect, every area of his life just as James had written;
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
18But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? James 1:22-25, 2:17-20
- and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
The gospel is handed down from generation to generation. From Paul to Timothy and so on down to us. All who are faithful guardians, laboring as soldiers, athletes, and framers, receive God’s inheritance.
CLOSING GREETINGS
Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will requite him for his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense no one took my part; all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left ill at Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 2 Timothy 4:9-22
I. Deserted by his friends
Paul feels cut off and even abandoned from friends, associates and the churches he founded. Except for Luke he is alone as he faces death. Luke alone is with me.
Demas had formerly been a fellow worker.
Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Colossians 4:14
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. Philemon 24
? Why did Demas go from being a fellow worker to a deserter??
? Is there any hope for Demas??
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Acts 15:37-39
Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me.
Paul asks for three things;
- People to keep him company.
- His cloak to keep him warm.
- Books to keep him occupied.
“Still more does this passage refute the madness of the fanatics who despise books and condemn all reading and boast only of their enthusiasms, their private inspirations by God. But we should note that this passage commends continual reading to all godly men as a thing from which they can profit.” Calvin
“I entreat your lordship, and that by the Lord Jesus, that if I must remain here for the winter you would beg the Commissary to be so kind as to send me, from the things of mine which he has, a warmer cap; I feel the cold painfully in my head. Also a warmer cloak, for the cloak I have is very thin. He has a woolen shirt of mine, if he will send it. But most of all, my Hebrew Bible, Grammar and vocabulary, that I may spend my time in that pursuit.” William Tyndale 1535
II. Opposed by Alexander the coppersmith
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Acts 19:23-28
III. Unsupported at his first defense
Christians were accused of crimes against both the state and civilized society.
They were accused of;
atheism: they would not worship the Emperor or idols
cannibalism: They ate Christ’s body and drank his blood
“You Christians are the worst breed ever to affect the world. You deserve every punishment you can get! Nobody likes you. It would be better if you and your Jesus had never been born. We hear that you are all cannibals — you eat the flesh of your children in your sacred meetings.” Caecilius
hatred against humanity: They were disloyal to Caesar and renounced the accepted sins and lifestyle
Roman law allowed Roman citizens to be employ an attorney and call witnesses.
“Among all the Christians in Rome there was not one who would stand at his side in court either to speak on his behalf, or to advise him in the conduct of his case, or to support him…” Plummer
? But what did Paul do at his defense??
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
“If ever there was a sermon preached out of season, this was it.” Stott
? Who was the lion??
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left ill at Miletus.
21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
We don’t know what they did but they were willing to risk their lives for Paul.
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.” Romans 16:12
We have already seen how Paul blessed Onesiphorus, 2 Timothy 1:16-18
May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
After 7 years of defending his nation against the Romans, Caractacus, King of the Britans was captured in AD51 and taken to Rome with his family, to stand before Emperor Claudius. There he made the following appeal.
‘Had my moderation in prosperity been equal to my noble birth and fortune, I should have entered this city as your friend rather than as your captive; and you would not have disdained to receive, under a treaty of peace, a king descended from illustrious ancestors and ruling many nations. My present lot is as glorious to you as it is degrading to myself. I had men and horses, arms and wealth. What wonder if I parted with them reluctantly? If you Romans choose to lord it over the world, does it follow that the world is to accept slavery? Were I to have been at once delivered up as a prisoner, neither my fall nor your triumph would have become famous. My punishment would be followed by oblivion, whereas, if you save my life, I shall be an everlasting memorial of your clemency’
Claudius granted clemency and Caratacus was allowed to return to Britan as a puppet king. To make sure he did Caesar’s bidding, his father, Bran, his daughter, Claudia and his son, Linus were detained in Rome under house arrest. Coincindently, during this same time Paul was also in Rome under house arrest, Acts 28:30, Bran, Linus, and Claudia, heard the gospel from Paul and all became Christians. Upon his release from arrest in AD58 Bran went back to Britan as a missionary to his people. Linus became the first Bishop of Rome and Claudia married the Commander of the Roman Army in Britan, and guard, Rufus Prudens.
Spanish poet, friend of Prudens, Martial wrote, “Although born among the woad-stained Britons, how fully is Claudia Rufina loved by the intelligence of the Roman people! What beauty is hers! The matrons of Italy might take her for a Roman; those of Attica for an Athenian. The gods have kindly ordered that she proves fruitful to her revered husband, and that, while yet young, she may hope for sons-in-law and daughters-in-law! May heaven grant her ever to rejoice in one single husband, and to exult in being the mother of three children.”
After Paul’s execution he was buried in the Prudens family cemetery on the Via Ostiensis. Unfortunately, Rufus Prudens and his children were also martyred for their faith under Nero, and interred next to Paul.
IV. Conclusion: The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen … The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
you; plural, Paul wrote to Timothy but recognizes that the letter would be used in public, down through the ages … yes, Paul wrote to us!
Always remember:
At His ascension Christ had claimed that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given Him, yet Christians were suffering persecution at the hands of both Israel and Rome. Paul and Peter are about to be killed. If Christ is really the ruler what is going on?
Christ is the ruler of the earth and we are his priests. This is precisely why Christians are persecuted.
Acts 17:7 ‘they are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.’
According to the writings of the early Church leaders, Timothy became the Bishop of Ephesus where stood one on the seven wonders of the ancient world, the temple of the goddess Diana. She was worshipped as a moon goddess who among other things was a fertility goddess. When he was 80 years old, while witnessing a ritual procession at the temple with lewd dancers and attendants carrying idols honoring Diana, Timothy went up onto the temple portico where he implored the revelers to stop worshiping a false goddess and to follow the one true God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was drug into the street and stoned to death. Faithful to the end.
‘Let us not forget why the Christians were killed. They were not killed because they worshipped Jesus. Nobody cared who worshipped whom so long as the worshipper did not disrupt the unity of the state centered worship of Caesar. The reason Christians were killed was because they were rebels. They worshipped Jesus only as God. The Caesars would not tolerate this worshipping of the one God only. It was counted as treason.’ Francis Schaeffer
(After all, nothing ever changes, to worship only Christ is so intolerant … why these Christians are surely bigots.)
REVIEW: 2 Timothy 3 & 4
Because our unbelieving neighbors, the world we live in, desperately need the Gospel to which we have been appointed Heralds we must be bold and brave living, loving and proclaiming the truth despite the fact that many will believe us to be idiots! We alone have been given the inspired words of life.
“Help them Obi-Wan Kenobi you are their only hope.”
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision. Psalm 2
Christ really is reigning and He just laughs at those who oppose Him and His ambassadors!
Genesis 12:3 And in you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 22:17 with blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Psalm 2:7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the world, Shall remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You. 28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s, And He rules over the nations.
Isaiah 2:2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,
Daniel 7:13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.
Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.
Ephesians 1:19 …. the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Matthew 13:31 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” 33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity …
Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
‘There is the greatest possible encouragement here for those who go forth in the name of Christ … The authority and power of Christ are far above every name that can be named; Muhammad, Buddha, Krishna, Marx or any other that may oppose the Christian faith. The most serious obstacle to the success of the church’s mission is not the power of its spiritual opponents, but the church’s own weakness of faith and partial grasp of the invincible resources which are hers in Jesus Christ.’ John Jefferson Davis
We often lose sight of the fact that the faithful followers of Christ have not only offered the world salvation; the forgiveness of sins, the reconciliation of rebels with their Creator God, freeing people from futility and death and in its place giving people peace, hope, and purpose, but in doing so Christians have quite literally changed the world.
Over time, the teachings of Christ — most notably about love, compassion, personal responsibility, and forgiveness, virtues that those who became known as Christians sought to exemplify — led to developments in democracy, capitalism, and the moral framework of civil society, all of which rose from the Judeo-Christian foundation of belief in God, the rule of law, and the precept to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Christianity has fostered art, music, architecture, literature, printing, medicine, science, schools, the calendar, charitable organizations, exploration, kingdoms, and empires. Myra Adams
“The greatest contribution of Christianity to the formation of the scientific movement was the inexpugnable belief in a secret that can be unveiled. That this conviction has seized the European mind can only be explained in terms of the medieval insistence on the rationality of God, conceived as with the personal energy of Jehovah and with the rationality of a Greek philosopher.” Alfred North Whitehead
“This conception of God led to the notion that every “detail” in nature was supervised and ordered: the search into nature could only result in the vindication of the faith in rationality.
And there is no question that all of the great scientists of the early modern era, men like Descartes, Galileo, Newton, and Kepler, confessed … their absolute faith in a creator God, whose work incorporated rational rules awaiting discovery.
Science, is a method utilized in organized efforts to formulate explanations of nature, always subject to modifications and corrections through systematic observations … The earlier technical innovations of Greco-Roman times, of Islam, of China, let alone those achieved in pre-historical times, do not constitute science and are better described as lore, skills, wisdom, techniques, crafts, technologies, engineering, learning, or simply knowledge … Christian theology was necessary for the rise of science.
Real science arose only once: in Europe — in Christian Europe. China, Islam, India, and ancient Greece and Rome each had a highly developed alchemy. But only in Europe did alchemy develop into chemistry. By the same token, many societies developed elaborate systems of astrology, but only in Europe did astrology develop into astronomy.” Rodney Stark
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