For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8) 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.  (16) At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me.  May it not be charged against them  (17) 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.  Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18) 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!

The apostle Paul wrote his last letter to Timothy to encourage, warn but mostly to advise him in carrying the gospel to future pastors, teachers and all who have loved the Lord.  Paul was an old man, kept in a hole in the Mamertine prison on a hill near the Roman forum.  Luke was with him and likely wrote down the words of second Timothy.   Paul was well aware he was to die soon – (he was born a Roman citizen so death would be by beheading, not crucifixion).  In the Jewish faith the sacrifice was placed on the altar and just before death wine was poured on it; Paul likened his life to be being pouring out as the drink offering.

But Paul’s last words to Timothy  reflect no despair, no defeat and no uncertainty.  He viewed his death as a departure of the soul from the body.  At his death the battle was won; he persevered and fought the GOOD fight – he finished the course.  Paul guarded the truth of the gospel – the core doctrines of Christian faith.  He looks at the future with expectant hope; not realized just yet, but sure.  This commitment to Lord Jesus Christ means death will usher believers into His glorious presence.  On “that Day” there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus – the faithful do not need to fear the final judgment.

Not only is the beginning of salvation in faith from God, we are guided by God our whole lives; it is not by man’s free will or virtue but by the hand of God preserving us to His kingdom.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from who you have learned them, (15) and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (4: 1) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.  (2) Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. 

The apostle Paul wrote this letter from prison, awaiting execution. Our verses today concern his final and imperative message to Timothy.  Timothy was instructed from infancy  in the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother and then taught the doctrine of the New Testament by none less than an apostle.  Timothy was taught doctrine not of man but of God and knew that salvation is through faith in Christ Jesus.  Paul reminds Timothy that  all – the whole – of Scripture is divinely inspired by the prompting and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Those who use Scripture properly need nothing more for salvation.  Moses and the prophets didn’t speak or write at random but testified boldly at the suggestion of God – NOT MAN. What the New Testament adds to the Old Testament is simple; a natural explanation of the Law and the prophets rendered clear by the addition of the gospel.

Connecting Scripture and preaching, Paul is saying that all teachers have the duty to teach   Scripture as all wisdom is contained within.  Paul now makes the solemn charge that God will come as avenger and Christ as a judge if preachers cease to discharge their office of teaching.  Preachers, in constant earnestness, at all times (in and out of seasons) must teach God’s Word of doctrine and application. Scripture contains the wisdom that leads us to salvation – that equips us for every good thing for this life and godliness.

This final charge to Timothy and to all pastors to teach biblical truth is also a charge to all believers to welcome biblical preaching.  The Word is of utmost importance because Christ is coming again to judge the living and the dead.  As believers we will not face condemnation but we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  Paul’s last words tell Timothy and all of us to take life very seriously – to study all of Scripture and to know the text in context and application.  There will be inevitable opposition to preaching  of the Word but we are to persevere.  Amen

Remember, that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. (10) Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  (11) For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.  (12) If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.  if we deny Him, He will also deny us.  (13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

The second letter to Timothy was written by the apostle Paul who was in chains in prison facing execution for preaching the gospel. Timothy was by nature timid and shied away from conflict and controversy  and Paul was writing his last words to give him encouragement to persevere.  The Jewish legalizers were everywhere the ancient church flourished and they were turning the people away from the imprisoned  Paul and the gospel.  So the outward appearance of Paul was of a criminal but he makes it clear that he is suffering as an advantage to the elect rather than a reproach – that nothing can chain the gospel. The faithful were also fearful of the persecution of those days.

Paul begins our verses today with the foundational truth of the resurrection of Christ.  Paul wants to ensure this doctrine continues entire and uncorrupted. Another heresy at that time was that the resurrection of man in Christ was already past and there was denial that Jesus was truly man as well as truly divine – thus the emphasis of Jesus being of the seed of David.  Timothy is encouraged to endure referring to Christ’s humanity; the man Jesus suffered and died for our sins.  Paul writes “according to my gospel” meaning not that he invented the gospel but it was revealed to him by Christ Jesus.  Paul is not an author but a minister.

Our final verses quote an ancient Christian hymn saying that if the Christians keep the faith what follows is the opposite of our  human nature  – that if we, in Christ, do not die apart from our faith that we will have eternal life with Him.  But what follows is a threat – that those who in fear or unbelief deny Christ and instead esteem this transitory world, they  will also be denied by Christ.  Paul meant for this to be considered a serious and true judgment at the appointed time of our lives.  If man be faithless Christ will remain faithful  for what man does takes nothing from Christ Jesus. The application here is that when suffering now as Christians, the faithful are to remember Christ is Lord and will return for judgment or salvation.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands,  (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.  (8) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God  (13) Hold fast the pattern  of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Jesus Christ. (14) That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 

The second letter to Timothy, “Man of God”, was the last letter from the apostle Paul who was again in prison awaiting execution. Paul was writing to say goodby and to provide advice – “do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.”  Paul refers to the laying on of his hands referring to ordination, and probably speaking of the office of pastor.  Grace is not given by an outward sign – an ancient Jewish custom – but was a sure pledge of God’s Grace; a lawful consecration before God sealed by the Holy Spirit.  The faithful are all ministers of God endowed with a new power.  Conversely, those who claim faith and do nothing in defense of the TRUTH are not governed by the Spirit. Assistance of the Spirit is present unless men reject it.

Paul reminds Timothy that this present world  was not friendly to the voice of God.  The gospel is the testimony of Christ Jesus and the ancient world was beginning to withdraw from Christ because of persecution.  Paul adds “according to the power of God” which was both a consolation for suffering  and and admonition not to doubt the promises of God.

Paul reminds Timothy to hold fast to sound doctrine which was/is always under attack.  Paul warns Timothy about the essentials of the gospel ; the standards of apostolic doctrine he heard from Paul that must be held in faith in Christ Jesus.  If we are believers we are also in the ministry; God will give us the gifts we need,  but the faithful are responsible to exercise their gifts which will become more apparent. All that we have is gifts from God.  We discover our gifts by serving; by recognition from others; by training and learning; by experience  and by exercising them sometimes when all seems lost and it is costly to do so.  Step out of your comfort zone and trust in God