A Well-lived Life

INTRO

As we close out our study of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, I think Paul was anxious to make sure Timothy understood Paul’s passion for the word of Christ. Paul wanted to make sure his baton would be picked up and carried by those who followed him. This letter contains Paul’s last words, as well as his testimony of a life well lived. My prayer for you is that you will one day be able to look back at your life and know that you too have lived your life well for Christ.

Second Timothy holds a special place for the church. Four words (one from each chapter) sum up Paul’s instructions for Timothy. In chapter 1, Paul encouraged Timothy to HOLD FAST to the message against the worldly culture that did not support his message. In chapter 2, Paul told Timothy to BE STRONG, because he had been given the message that Paul held dearer than anything else. In chapter 3, Paul told Timothy to BE AWARE of what is coming in the end times and how to prepare for it. In chapter 4, Paul told Timothy to GO ON with the calling he had received. Paul wanted Timothy to go on and do what he had been prepared to do.

TEACHING

2 Timothy 4:1-5: Paul was given the responsibility for overseeing the organization of the church and carrying on the message of Christ. The apostle John will later receive the responsibility of the apocalyptic message of the end times. In verse 1, Paul charges his son in the faith with taking on the role Paul had been fulfilling. Read John 16:7–8. Jesus said that when He went away, the Holy Spirit would come, reprove (brought back to the center; redefine) sin, righteousness, and judgment. Let’s break down verse 2 some, with John 16 as our background. Paul told Timothy to:

• Preach (publish and proclaim openly the word)
• Be Ready in Season (be ready to take the opportunity whenever it comes)
• Out of Season (even when it’s not convenient)
• Exhort (para-ka-leo, the work of the Holy Spirit who comes alongside)
• With All Long Suffering (consistency and patience)
• Doctrine (instruction)

All of us that are 'born again' are born of the Spirit. Holy Spirit is within us and working in us. He will reprove me of sin and judge the things in me according to the standard of righteousness. All Holy Spirit does is testifies of Christ. I have been reproved within, that will come forth to the world, because it is Christ that is in me. Back to verse 2, be consistent even when you do not feel like it. Be ready when it is convenient and when it is not convenient. When Holy Spirit is working in us, it will be easy to bring it to others, both in encouragement and caution. We will start naturally bringing people out of the judgement of sin and into the path of life. Paul tells Timothy to hold fast and walk it out in straightness.

Paul said there would come a day when people would not tolerate sound doctrine, but rather go their own self-focused way after their own lusts (v. 3a). They will find teachers that teach new ideas and what the people want to hear (for their itchy ears) (vv. 3b–4). There is meant to be a right and a wrong, a black and a white, without gray. But they will prefer to turn away from the truth and accept stories of fiction instead.

Paul admonished Timothy:

Watch (sober, calm, and collected) all things

Endure afflictions (be willing to suffer)

Do the work of the evangelist by speaking out the message (Matthew 28:18–20)

Make full proof of his ministry and don’t hold back. Keep going until it’s over by being persuaded and persuasive (v. 5).

God’s design is that everything He created will produce fruit. Fruit in ministry is found in those who can pick up the baton and take it the next stage of the race—this is discipleship.

2 Timothy 4:6–8: Paul shared he was ready to be offered (poured out as a drink offering, consumed) and that the time of his death/departure (in the day this meant loosing the moorings of the ship) was at hand (v. 6). Paul said he had fought a good fight (he had contended/argued for the truth), he had finished his course (he had accomplished his mission), and he had kept the faith (he had held carefully to the truth) (v. 7). I see tear stains on this part of his letter. This was so real for Paul. Paul said that because of this, he knew there was a crown of righteousness (stephanos crown—Revelation 4:10), which the Lord would give him when he reached heaven. Paul points out that he will not be the only one that receives that crown, but that all those who look for Christ’s return will receive it as well (v. 8).

2 Timothy 4:9–15: Paul’s final instructions begin in verse 9. He asks Timothy to do his best to come to him soon. Paul’s time was short, and he wanted to see Timothy again for several reasons (v. 9). Paul said that Demas had already turned away from both Paul and Christ and left for Thessalonica. Also, Paul had sent Crescens to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia (v. 10). Paul was alone with Luke, so he asked Timothy to bring John Mark with him as well. Paul looked to John Mark to help with his ministry (v. 11). Paul said he had also sent to Tychicus to Ephesus. Paul asked Timothy to bring the cloak he left in Troas with Carpus and his parchments (vv. 12-13). Paul said Alexander the coppersmith (1 Timothy 1:20) had also done evil to him and had not been true to the faith after all (vv. 14–15).

2 Timothy 4:16–22: Paul told Timothy he had faced his first defense hearing alone except for the Lord who strengthened him to preach the word so the Gentiles could hear (v. 16–17a). Through the strength of the Lord, Paul had been delivered out of the mouth of the lion (his imprisonment in Rome).

Paul prayed the Lord would deliver him from every evil work and preserve him for God’s kingdom (v. 18). Then Paul sent greetings to Prisca, Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus, and also gave Timothy an update on Erastus and Trophimus (vv. 19–20). There is no information in Scripture to who Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia were (v. 21). In verse 21, Paul begs Timothy to come to him before winter. Paul concludes with the blessing, “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you” (v. 22).

CLOSING

I’m sure Paul did not want to end his letter with “amen” because he knew he would one day see his son Timothy, whether on the earth or in God’s kingdom to come.