Last Words

A great person’s last words are significant. They are a window that helps us to look into his heart, or a measure that helps us evaluate his life. In this chapter, we have Paul’s last words to Timothy and to the church. It is interesting that Paul expressed no regrets as he came to the end. He even forgave those who made his situation difficult 2Tim.4: 16. More than seventeen people are referred to in this chapter, which shows that Paul was a friend-maker as well as a soul-winner. Though his own days were numbered, Paul thought of others.

The apostle gave three final admonitions to Timothy, and he backed each of them up with a reason.

Preach the Word – 2Tim.4: 1- 4.

This was a serious moment, and Paul wanted Timothy to sense the importance of it. It was serious, not only because Paul was facing death, but even more because both Paul and Timothy would be judged one day when Jesus Christ appeared. It would do us all good to occasionally reflect on the fact that one day we will face God and our works will be judged. For one thing, this realization would encourage us to do our work carefully and faithfully. It would also deliver us from the fear of man; for after all, our final judge is God. Finally, the realization that God will one day judge our works encourages us to keep going even when we face difficulties. We are serving Him, not ourselves.

Timothy should be diligent and alert to use every opportunity to preach the Word, when it is favorable and even when it is not favorable. It is easy to make excuses when we ought to be making opportunities. Paul himself always found an opportunity to share the Word, whether it was in the temple courts, on a stormy sea, or even in prison Eccle.11: 4. Preaching must be marked by three elements: conviction, warning, and appeal. If there is conviction but no remedy, we add to people’s burdens. And if we encourage those who ought to be rebuked, we are assisting them to sin. Biblical preaching must be balanced. The preacher must be patient as he preaches the Word. He will not always see immediate results. Paul gave the responsibility; preach the Word 2Tim.4: 2, and he also gave the reason 2Tim.4: 2. The time would come (and it has been here for a long time) when most people would not want the healthy doctrine of the Word of God. Because of their itching ears they would accumulate teachers who would satisfy their cravings for things that disagree with God’s truths. The fact that a preacher has a large congregation is not always a sign that he is preaching the truth. In fact, it may be evidence that he is tickling people’s itching ears and giving them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.

Fulfill your ministry – 2Tim.4: 5- 8.

Timothy’s ministry would not be exactly like Paul’s, but it would be important to the cause of Christ. We should be careful to not measure the success of a ministry by a large congregation. We realize that faithfulness is important and God sees the heart. This is why Timothy had to be sober in all things 2Tim.4: 5 and carry on his ministry with seriousness of purpose. Timothy was not only a preacher; he was also a soldier 2Tim.2: 3- 4 who would have to endure afflictions 2Tim.4: 5. He had seen Paul going through sufferings on more than one occasion 2Cor.6: 1- 10; 2Tim.3: 10- 12. “Do the work of an evangelist” would remind Timothy that all of his ministry must have soul winning at its heart. This burden for the lost souls should be the burden of the entire congregation.

2Tim.4: 6- 8 in this beautiful paragraph of personal testimony, you find Paul looking in three different directions.

Vs.6 He looked around.

Paul knew that the end was near; his time was short; However, he did not tremble at the prospect of death. The two words offered and departure tells us of his faith and confidence. Offered means poured out on an altar as a drink offering. He was going to give his life as a sacrifice to Jesus Christ. He had been a living sacrifice, serving the Lord since the day he was saved. Now, he will complete that sacrifice by laying down his life for Him. The word departure is a beautiful word that has many meanings. It means to set sail. Paul looked on death as a release from the world; an opportunity to set sail into eternity. The word also means to take down a tent. This parallels 2Cor.5: 1- 8, where Paul compared the death of believers to the taking down of a tent, in order to receive a permanent, glorified body (House not made with hands.”

Vs.7 He looked back.

He summed up his life and ministry. Like a determined wrestler or boxer, he had fought a good fight; and like a runner, he had finished his lifelong race victoriously. He had kept the rules and kept the faith. It is important to be able to look back and have no regrets.

Paul was not always popular, nor was he usually comfortable, but he remained faithful. That is what really counted.

Vs.8 Paul looked ahead.

The world athlete gets rewarded with perishable awards. However, Paul would not be rewarded with a fading crown; his would be a crown of righteousness that would never fade. The crown of righteousness is God’s reward for a faithful and righteous life, and our incentive for faithfulness and holiness is the promise of the Lord’s appearing. Because Paul loved His appearing and looked for it, he lived righteously and served faithfully.