GEMS FROM THE ENDINGS OF THE EPISTLES

Part XIX: Gems From The Ending Of 2 Timothy, A. D. 67

(2 Timothy 4:6-22)

I. Introduction

A. The epistle of 2 Timothy was written by Paul in A. D. 67 shortly before his martyrdom by Rome’s Emperor Nero (Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 434, 749).

B. Paul’s purpose in this his last epistle in Scripture was to encourage Timothy to remain faithful in service in the face of hardships that he and the entire Christian Church then faced (Ibid., p. 749).

C. The epistle’s ending at 2 Timothy 4:6-22 captures this theme, so we view it for our application and edification:

II. Gems From The Ending Of 2 Timothy, A. D. 67; 2 Timothy 4:6-22.

A. After telling Timothy to preach Scripture in view of the coming apostacy in the Church (2 Timothy 4:1-5), Paul gave a grand statement about his ministry, his imminent martyrdom and eternal reward, 2 Timothy 4:6-8:

1. He wrote that he was already being figuratively poured out as a drink offering since the time of his departure from this life through martyrdom was imminent, 2 Timothy 4:6 ESV.

2. However, his looming martyrdom did not cause Paul fear, for he added that he had fought a good fight of faith, he had finished his course as a runner and he had kept the Christian faith, 2 Timothy 4:7.

3. Consequently, there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, would give him and all those other believers who loved His appearing when they met Christ, 2 Tim. 4:8.

B. However, Paul then returned “to treat worrisome, immediate personal affairs” (Ibid., ftn. to 2 Timothy 4:9-22):

a. He urged Timothy to do his best to come to him soon, likely as his death was imminent and he wanted Timothy’s fellowship before he had passed, 2 Timothy 4:9.

b. Coupled with his need to see Timothy was Paul’s recent loss of companions as Demas had forsaken him in his love for the world by leaving for Thessalonica, Crescens had gone to Galatia and Titus had departed for Dalmatia, leaving only Luke by Paul’s side, 2 Timothy 4:10-11a.

c. Paul urged Timothy to bring Mark with him as Mark who had originally deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey had rebounded and was now profitable for Paul, 2 Timothy 4:11b. Paul added as an afterthought that he had also sent Tychicus to Ephesus, 2 Timothy 4:12.

d. Rome’s Mamertine prison where Paul was incarcerated was likely cold and damp as the weather was headed toward winter (cf. 2 Timothy 4:21a), so Paul asked Timothy to bring the cloak he left with Carpus in Troas where he was likely arrested, 2 Timothy 4:13a. Paul also told Timothy to bring the “books” (KJV), better “parchment rolls” used for writing, and especially the “parchments” (KJV), what were skins of vellum used for more precious documents that were likely Paul’s personal copies of portions of the Old Testament (2 Tim. 4:13b KJV; Ibid., ftn. to 2 Tim. 4:13). Though he had written around half of the New Testament, near his death, Paul still felt the need to study Scripture for his spiritual edification! (Ibid.)

e. Paul warned Timothy to be on his guard against Alexander the coppersmith who had greatly wronged Paul in greatly opposing his words, 2 Timothy 4:14-15.

f. The apostle reported that at his preliminary hearing, no one stood with him to defend him, for out of fear of Nero’s persecution, all professing believers there had abandoned him, 2 Timothy 4:16a. However, Paul prayed that God would not hold it against them, a gracious attitude in view of the pressure Paul knew that other professing Christians then faced, 2 Timothy 4:16b.

g. Nevertheless, the Lord had stood by Paul, strengthening him so that he might fully proclaim the Gospel, and he had been delivered from immediate death possibly by facing lions in the coliseum, 2 Timothy 4:17.

h. Paul was confident that God would preserve him from all evil until he had safely reached heaven through his martyrdom, 2 Timothy 4:18.

i. The apostle gave brief salutations (2 Tim. 4:19, 21b) and a short report on Erastus and Trophimus (v. 20) before urging Timothy to come before winter (2 Tim. 4:21) with a brief, gracious closing (v. 22).

Lesson: Under obvious personal stress near his martyrdom in a time of stress for the whole Christian Church, Paul gave a sterling testimony, he addressed worrisome immediate details, and he urged Timothy to come quickly with a focus on studying God’s Word for its edification.

Application: (1) May we follow Paul’s great example of remaining faithful to the Lord under duress. (2) May we thus remain gracious toward other believers under duress and faithfully pay heed to Scripture for our edification.