TEXT: II Timothy 4:6-8

SUBJECT: Exposition of II Timothy #10: Paul's Farewell

In the first five verses of this chapter, Paul urges Timothy to "fulfill his ministry". He would do so, only if he "preached the word--in good times and bad--if he convinced, rebuked, and exhorted his hearers with all longsuffering and teaching". This he must do, Paul reminds him, because the need will be great, and the men to meet it few. Timothy, therefore, must "be watchful in all things"--serious and active.

At the time he wrote these words, the need for faithful ministers was great. But soon, the need would become even greater. Why? Because Paul, the most faithful of preachers, would soon be dead. Somebody would have to step up and take his place. And who is better suited than his "son in the faith", Timothy?

The evil of Paul's death, therefore, is turned to good. It will make Timothy a better man and more faithful minister of Jesus Christ. It must do the same for us. The Apostles and prophets, martyrs and heroes of church history are dead. Yet their work remains unfinished. Who will take their place? Who can, but we the living? Because of their passing, therefore, let us be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord".

The first word of v.6 is "for" or "because". This connects the verse with what precedes it. Timothy must "fulfill his ministry" because Paul won't be here much longer. Soon, he must die at Nero's bloody hands. He has already been convicted. The execution will follow apace. But how does Paul look at his impending death? As a terror to be escaped or denied? No. He sees it as "a drink offering" and as a "departure". The former borrows from the Mosaic Law. An offering was brought to God--a sheep, a goat, a bull. It was killed, placed on the altar, and burned. As it went up in smoke, a pint of wine was added to make the offering aromatic--"a sweet smelling savor" as the KJV puts it. Who enjoyed the sweet aroma? Everyone, I suppose. But it was meant for God's pleasure. Long ago, Paul offered his life to Christ. Now, at the end, he would sweeten the offering with a martyr's death. He would die as he lived--in "faith, hope, and charity". Thus, rather than being a bitter end to a hard life, Paul's death would be "a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God".

His death would also be a "departure". The word means "loosing". Paul would soon be "loosed" from the pains and labors of this life and enter the "fullness of joy and pleasures forever more".

By looking at his death in this way, Paul hopes to cheer Timothy in his work. For the worst that man can do to the young preacher is kill him. But what is a martyr's death? It is "drink offering" and a "departure". Neither of which should be a fear, but rather--a blessed hope!

Timothy--and you and I, too--should be encouraged to serve Christ without fear, for the worst that man can do is bring us closer to God and everlasting bliss.

And so, Timothy should "fulfill his ministry" despite opposition because it can do him no lasting harm.

He should also "fulfill his ministry" because it will give him peace at the time of his death. Paul the preacher is dying without regrets! V.7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". Paul is not wringing his hands over what he has left undone; he's not weeping over the mistakes he has made and the hurt it has left behind. No--without being perfect--he has been faithful. He describes his ministry in three ways:

"I have fought the good fight". The word "fought" brings to mind a wrestler, putting out a full effort to beat a stubborn foe. But unlike the athlete, Paul has not wasted his time with sports. His was the "good (or noble) fight". By God's grace, "Paul has fought the good fight"--and prevailed. Now, it's Timothy's turn in the ring. And ours!

"I have finished the race". Thirty years ago, Paul began the gruelling marathon. Now, he's about to hit the tape. His life has been hard, brutally hard. But now, he looks back upon it with exhilaration. He has done more than "finished the race". He's won it.

"I have kept the faith". Paul drops the metaphor and returns to the literal. Jesus Christ had given him a faith--a body of received truth--and charged him to believe it, to preach it, to live it. Paul has done all of the above. He "kept the faith". Without addition. Without subtraction. Without apology. "That which I have received, I delivered to you".

The preacher who cuts corners, does sloppy work, and fudges here and there won't be damned to hell or consigned to purgatory. But in his later years--and especially on his death bed, he will be haunted by the awful question "What if?" "What if I had been more faithful...more courageous...more loving?"

Paul had no "what ifs" to haunt him. Neither would Timothy. Neither will you and I--if we are faithful to "fulfill our ministry".

In v.8, Paul looks to his immediate future: "Finally, there is a crown of righteousness laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but to all who love His appearing".

Paul will not be ashamed to give account of his ministry before Christ "the righteous judge". Why? Because by God's grace, he has been faithful. It will be amply rewarded: "a crown of righteousness" awaits him. The word "crown" doesn't evoke the jewel-studded monarch--but rather, the laurel that was placed on the brow of a winning athlete. Paul lived with a sense of Christ's "appearing". Therefore, he "watched" faithfully. He did his Master's will. And not just near the end, but throughout his life. Now, as the chopper's block drew near, Paul was glad--mighty glad--that he had "fulfilled his ministry".

Thus, Paul's death, which might have left Timothy drooping spiritually, has the opposite effect: it energizes him to "fulfill his ministry". For in doing so, Paul's life has become a "sweet offering"; has been lived without regret; has been but prelude to that "life more abundant".

These are the rewards of a faithful ministry. Whether preaching or otherwise. These are the rewards that await us if we fulfill our ministries. May God help us to do so, for Christ's sake. Amen.