2 Timothy 4

Jesus Christ has put His own seal of approval on the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament. He did this through His death, which He clearly stated was in fulfillment of these Scriptures. This did not mean that Jesus was averse to speaking outside of these writings with His own sovereign authority, often noting lessons from the pages of nature and life in order to both reveal and even conceal words of truth. The Apostle Paul was not Jesus, but one of His ambassadors, and as he had just written about the power of the Word for the man of God who would preach and teach, he now plainly charged his younger associate to forthrightly preach the Word.

He did this in a most solemn style which reinforced the importance of this command. He spoke of the presence of God and Christ Jesus as witnesses to this charge. He reminded Timothy of the judgment to come through the Son of God. He spoke of the eternal kingdom over which Jesus reigns. He told Timothy to preach when people want preaching and even when they may not want it. He told him to undertake this task with complete patience and with consistent and systematic presentation of good doctrine. And he warned Timothy that a time was coming as these last days of the New Covenant age proceeded, when people would not put up with solid teaching, preferring some presentation that would be more flattering or entertaining, or contain mysterious myths that might seem more intriguing. Yet despite this, Timothy needed to preach the Word, and to do so in a sober-minded way, even if obedience to this charge would bring him personal suffering.

This instruction was supported by the example of the writer of this letter, Paul. The Apostle had to suffer in order be true to this charge himself. When some of King David's mighty men heard that he longed for the waters of Bethlehem, his home town, they stole behind enemy lines to bring that water to their beloved leader. David poured out their gift before the Lord. It was too precious to be consumed just to take away thirst. It was a drink offering. This is the way that Paul viewed his life. He did not order his life to satisfy lesser thirsts. He offered his days and nights to God as a drink offering, and he was poured out, and sensed that his time here below was coming to a close. Together with all those who love the appearing of Christ in glory, he looked for a crown that no king on earth can give or take away. Paul had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.

Even among his own apostolic companions, not everyone had been as steadfast in their charge. One left for one place, and another for some other city or town. Paul wanted to see Timothy. He was with Luke, and was facing legal harassment. Some had caused him great trouble during a time when he needed those who would stand with him. They opposed the messenger, the message, and the One who is at the center of our ministry of the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite the disappointment and abandonment that he felt, Paul's desire was that those who deserted him would know the forgiveness of God.

In the midst of his struggles he was still thinking of his ministry, requesting that Timothy bring Mark with him when he came to Paul, since he was sure that this man would be helpful in their common goal of proclaiming the Lord Jesus. His confidence was not in his own ability, sanity, or holiness, but in the power of the Lord who would stand by him and strengthen him in all he would endure. Even at this late moment in his service, it would appear that Gentiles were still hearing the Word of God through Paul's teaching. Like Daniel of old, the Lord had rescued Paul from some lion's mouth, and Paul's confidence was that God would continue to rescue him from every evil plot. These troubles were not mere annoyances for Paul, they were the road that our sovereign God had appointed for him, a road leading to everlasting heavenly glory.

Paul had a warm regard not only for Timothy, but for others who were with him in Ephesus, and to those who were somehow visiting with Paul and wished to be known to Timothy. As we travel together through this life, God is pleased to give to us special friendships that are dear to us, and we are encouraged to think of them with a bond of love that we have learned to value within our own individual family circles.

Above any other loyalty there is One who is the only supreme Leader in the household of God. He is the center of the message of the Scriptures, the Man who died for us and who rules from the heights of heaven. He is the one we preach and the one who is our best benediction. There is nothing better for Paul to say to Timothy or to anyone else than these words: “The Lord be with your spirit.” If the Lord who died for you is with your Spirit, then even if you are being poured out as a drink offering, even if your body is put to death, you will still have the grace of God in your life. Precious in the Lord's sight is the death of his saints, we are told in Psalm 116. This simply could not be the case if the Lord who is with us had not atoned for our sins. He will keep us in this life through the most severe trials as He carries us to the next.