Paul begins with a charge, an earnest plea, a promise to do something. It goes even further, it is a legal term, a solemn testimony, testify under oath. There is a serious reason for this, and it is a far more serious than testifying in a court of law – it is because it is “before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” (v1)
Paul is thinking beyond his prison cell/dungeon and the Roman court to the presence of Almighty God, the highest court one could appear before, where we will all be judged. Paul was living in the hope of the second coming of Jesus Christ, and he was confident of his position in Christ.
He urges Timothy preach the word. The emphasis on the Word of God is essential and constant. Chapters 2 & 3 have stressed the importance of this. It is not enough to know the Word; he must preach and teach it. The focus must be on the Word not us.
He was to be ready at all times, whether in season or out of season. Whatever the circumstances to be consistent in the things preached and taught.
“Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching:” (v2)
If we teach and preach God’s Word faithfully it will do all of these things. God leaves us nothing short. Peter says in his letter that we have all we need for life and godliness. The Word of God will do its work. It is not a series of interesting ideas, it is transformative.
It needs to be preached and taught now because “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (v3,4)
Paul said that the time would come when people wouldn’t want to hear sound doctrine. The natural man wants to hear what tickles his fancy. There are those around today who have a theory and then try to find Bible verses to back it up. I’ve heard it, some on certain social media sites. It is the wrong way around; we need to see what the Bible says and then base our teaching on that, otherwise we perpetuate myths or fables, which is exactly what Paul says here.
I suggest to you that is just like that today. They like to hear stories and they all like their own way. There are many churches where the word of God is rarely preached and even where it is, it takes second place to experience and signs and wonders. I’ve come across this several times in prisons when leading Bible studies. Men have had experiences but no depth in God’s word, some don’t even read it. I’ve even been told I’m not a Christian because I don’t practice certain gifts, and one because I don’t use the ‘right’ version of the Bible!
One must ask the question that if those experiences are so wonderful and spiritual, and life-changing, why are they where they are?
One writer says on itching ears: “Endless curiosity, an insatiable desire of variety; and they get their ears tickled with the language and accent of the person, abandoning the good and faithful preacher for the fine speaker.” This also shows that if we do want to hear God’s word, God is doing something wonderful in us. Left to ourselves, we would rather do it our way, but God changes our heart in wonderful ways, giving us a desire for His word.
They will heap up for themselves teachers. Most popular are not the best or faithful for spiritual growth and conviction. Popularity Poll does not mean most spiritual or beneficial for Christian preachers or teachers. I’ve heard some fairly dour ones who have the most depth. Now I’m not suggesting that to be good you have to be dour. It does help if preachers and teachers make this wonderful book live.
And be turned aside to fables. The Bible is the Word of God not a myth or fable or fairy story. It is the truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” When people stop reading the Word of God and Christian teaching, they often resort to believing fantasies. It is said that it isn’t that a person believes in nothing, but that he will believe in anything. The are many fables such as the theory of evolution, the Big Bang Theory and others. However, many churchgoers are taught and believe that we can earn our salvation by good works, everyone is going to heaven, God is so loving that He won’t send anyone to hell. These things, and many more, are abounding especially when one departs from the Word of God. They are fables.
In view of all this Paul told Timothy to be watchful in all things and fulfil his ministry (v5). To fulfil it he must be watchful in everything. The bible tells us to watch and pray. It is important to pray but do we always watch? Failing to be watchful can lead to carelessness in life just as much as failing to pray. One commentator reminds us that every shepherd keeps his eyes open. There are many reasons why a person’s ministry is not fulfilled, such as fear, laziness, discouragement, sin, lack of devotion, unbelief, and others. All these must be dealt with and overcome in the power of God.
Timothy was also do the work of an evangelist. An evangelist is a person who tirelessly promotes a specific set of beliefs or a cause, most commonly a preacher who spreads the Christian gospel. They are often characterised as enthusiastic supporters who try to persuade others to adopt their faith or viewpoint, sometimes through travel or public, televised meetings. From the Greek, the word means ‘one who brings good news’. An evangelist is an individual who actively promotes and spreads a particular set of ideas or beliefs, typically related to religion or a specific cause. The gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are referred to as evangelists.
There is another phrase in verse 5 which many would hope wasn’t there, ‘endure afflictions.’ Really! The others were fine, but do I have to endure afflictions? For some this is a disturbing thought because they thought that the ministry would be one beautiful spiritual experience after another. There are plenty of wonderful blessings in serving God but there are also afflictions to be endured.
Paul’s final words are contained in verses 6-22. He begins by giving Timothy his confidence in God despite his circumstances, and in doing so, encouraging Timothy.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (v6,7)
He says that he is being poured out as a drink offering. A drink offering was poured out to the LORD at the altar and first appeared in Genesis 35:14 where Jacob poured out a drink offering s a sacrifice to the LORD and appeared in the Mosaic Law in Exodus and Leviticus. It was also a Roman ritual where every meal ended with a cup of poured out to their gods.
The cup was completely emptied, and Paul was saying he was completely given to God. One commentator said that “Paul’s head was not on the executioner’s block yet, but his heart was there. He was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. “He considers himself as on the eve of being sacrificed, and looks upon his blood as the libation which was poured on the sacrificial offering. He could not have spoken thus positively had not the sentence of death been already passed upon him.” Thus, he believed that his departure from this life was imminent, and he was ready to go. Timothy must be ready to take over from him as the work must continue.
He considered that he had fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Timothy was being exhorted to do the same. He uses metaphors which would be easily understandable, a battle, a race and perseverance in both.
Paul looks beyond his life on this earth with anticipation, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (v8). Twenty or thirty or so years before this Paul thought he would get to heaven as a result of his own efforts. He was a Pharisee, and thought he was a good man, but he would never have actually got there, because he hadn’t been born again. That’s what Jesus said to Nicodemus (John3) that he wouldn’t even see the kingdom of God unless he had been born again. He persecuted those who followed ‘The Way’ (Jesus) and consented to the death of Stephen the first Christian martyr. This preceded Paul’s conversion after which he was completely transformed and became the most prominent follower of Jesus Christ of his day.
He was quite clear in his teaching and preaching that we receive the righteousness of Christ and it is through His righteousness that he would receive a crown, given to him by the Righteous Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The crown he was to receive was the victor’s crown (Stephanos Gk). This would mean much to him considering his previous treatment of Stephen and probably caused him some sadness.
Winners of sports events received a crown or garland which would wither and die, but the crown Paul anticipated would be eternal. (See 1 Corinthians 9, 1 Peter 5). However, Revelation 4:10 tells us that the elders will cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus, so, no strutting around showing off a crown. Jesus alone is worthy of our crown. It is God’s prerogative to give us a crown and motivate us to look forward to a heavenly reward. Paul says that allWho love the Lord’s appearing will receive one too. Thus, we are encouraged to serve the Lord and leave the reward to Him. We must set our goals on serving Him.
Paul turns to his own position and seems to be alone, apart from Luke, hence his request to Timothy to come to him soon (v9-13). He then mentions some other names, and he sadly says that Demas has left him and gone back to the world and left for Thessalonica.
Demas was initially a loyal colleague and fellow worker of Paul with Luke and Mark and is mentioned in Philemon 1:24 and Colossians 4:14, but his love for the world has overcome him. Maybe he couldn’t go on with difficulties which Paul faced, maybe it was too much to ask. We simply know that he had forsaken Paul.
Crescens had left for Galatia and Titus for Dalmatia. We are not told that they had forsaken him, so, we can assume that they went for good reasons. If Titus is the same as the recipient of Paul’s letter, he had gone to serve the Lord elsewhere, and maybe Crescens had too. Paul himself had sent Tychicus to Ephesus, presumably to serve the Lord there. Tychicus actually transported the letters to Philemon and the Colossians.
He instructs Timothy to get Mark and bring him with him because he is useful to him for ministry. This is the same Mark who was homesick and left them (Acts 13). And whom he and Barnabas split up over (Acts 15). Mark has evidently proved himself since he left in Acts 13, so much so that Barnabas took him on the Lord’s work in Acts 15, and now Paul recognises his usefulness for the ministry.
He asks Timothy to bring his cloak which he left with Carpus at Troas. I don’t know if this was because he was feeling the cold. We have to remember that if he was in prison, it was a dark, damp, dungeon. It may also have been one of his few earthly possessions which he had left in safe keeping with Carpus, together with his books and parchments, when he faced arrest.
It is interesting that he mentions books. We have a plethora of books, but I would be fascinated to know what Paul meant by books. He mentions parchments, that I can understand, but the printing press had not been invented, so, what he meant by books is interesting. The parchments would probably be portions from the Old Testament.
It is thought that books in biblical times were primarily handwritten manuscripts. These early “books” were typically not bound volumes, but rather long, hand-copied scrolls made of papyrus or leather (parchment). Later, towards the New Testament era, early Christians began using the codex—the precursor to modern book binding—which allowed for easier reference and portability. They would be sheets of papyrus or parchment bound together.
There are references to books in Joshua, Numbers, the books of Kings and Chronicles and God speaks about books where records are kept and most importantly, the Book of Life, where our names are written upon receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and if our names are not written there, we will never enter heaven.
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.” (v14,15)
Paul is not afraid to mention those who are a danger to us. One of these is Alexander the coppersmith. Many scholars believe he is the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20 who, together with Hymenaeus, Paul handed over to Satan for blasphemy. Some also suggest he is the same one mention in Acts 19 involved in the riot in Ephesus. Paul clearly says that Alexander did him much harm, and he warned Timothy that he would do the same to him. One commentator suggests that Alexander was a traitor, an informer who betrayed Paul to the Roman government and was responsible for his current imprisonment. Perhaps the thought of he has greatly resisted our words meant that Alexander was a witness against Paul at his first defence. Another suggests that he was a renegade Christian who went to the authorities with false information in an effort to ruin Paul.
Note carefully that Paul does not wreak revenge on him but leaves it to the Lord to repay him. Revenge is not our prerogative, and much harm is done by people seeking revenge. The Lord says that it is for Him to deal with those who harm us. All we have to do is beware of them.
In verses 16-18 he recounts his first trial – “At my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”
Despite his friends and co-workers, he says that no one stood with him and all forsook him. Maybe they were not as strong in the faith as he was, and they feared for their own lives. It is understandable but nevertheless very sad. He wishes no harm on them and seeks no revenge. He was not bitter against them. It is not easy to stand alone especially when those closest to you have forsaken you. However, Paul experienced that he was, Alone, yet not alone – the Lord stood with him and strengthened him.
Sometimes we may feel alone, but if we belong to Jesus Christ, we are not alone. We may not be delivered from what we face, but in the end, we will, as Paul goes on to say.
Paul had no doubt about the power of God, whether to deliver him there and then, or to preserve him to continue preaching the gospel. Paul would go on to preach the gospel in whatever situation he found himself, even in prison. Several of Paul’s letters were written from prison or captivity. Just imagine that we may never have had them if he hadn’t been imprisoned. As he said earlier, he was ready at all times to give a reason for his hope. I’m not sure of the reference to the ‘lion’ who he was delivered from, maybe it was simply the power of Rome. He was clearly delivered for a purpose and he knew it.
He gives all the glory to God which shows his confidence even though he is facing the last years of his earthly life, but he knew his heavenly reward was secure, and, as one commentator said, he wouldn’t change places with anyone.
In his final words (v19-21) he asks Timothy to greet those who serve the Lord – Prisca and Aquila (I assume the same as Priscilla), the household of Onesiphorus, Erastus who stayed in Corinth, and Trophimus who he had left at Miletus sick. You will recall that God used Paul to heal sick people (Acts 14 and Acts 19) but he doesn’t heal his friend. I suggest that this shows that Paul did not have miraculous powers to heal at his own will. The gift was God’s power and timing.
We see today that not all God’s people and especially His servants are healed and should be in good health. This is not what certain preachers and teachers tell us, that Christians should have good health and wealth. It is interesting to see that these prominent leaders cannot heal even themselves. They die. I would suggest that they are frauds.
I much prefer to see how God uses those with illnesses, disabilities and deformities to serve Him. My late friend Peter Jackson, blind since childhood but a brilliant pianist, piano tuner and fixer, and preacher. I know, I have spent time with him, and he used to say to me, the first person I shall see is my Lord. He had a very supportive wife and children. I’m sure you have all heard of Joni Eareckson Tada, quadriplegic from a diving accident at the age of seventeen, amazingly used by God to reach thousands. There are many more.
We also have a heartfelt plea for Timothy to come before winter. Maybe he needed his cloak, or he just wanted to see Timothy.
He sends the greetings of Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brethren. Eubulus is a Greek name and therefore a gentile, Claudia is a Roman name, usually high class Roman, possibly the wife of Pudens, one of the believers in Rome, and Linus is a Greek name, and also a gentile. We do not read of any of them elsewhere in the Bible. This was probably the Christian church in Rome; some think meeting in Puden’s home.
Finally, finally, Paul’s last words – “The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” He wanted Timothy to agree, that is really what ‘Amen’ means.
And all God’s people said, ‘Amen’.
