In Psalm 1, God promises His blessing to His people when they gather around His word and cling on to it. It is a wonderful picture to be like a tree, planted by streams of water, and growing and bearing fruit in season.
At a glance, this section in 2 Timothy might not be the sort of passage we’d want to read for our devotion/think is applicable. Yet. these verses are real and applicable, for they show us how to end well.
(A) Those who stand and those who fall (2 Tim 4:9-13, 19-21)
Paul leaves parting instructions for Timothy, and encourages Timothy to do his best to come to him soon (2 Tim 4:9). He follows with mentioning a number of names, names of men and women that he is calling to attention. We will break it down into 3 categories — “bring”, “notice” and “greet and be greeted”.
First, we see that Paul wishes for Timothy to come (2 Tim 4:9) and Timothy is also to bring certain items with him. Paul and Timothy were separated and Paul desire to be reunited with him to be encouraged (2 Tim 1:4). See how Paul was also a Christian in need of encouragement from the fellowship of the saints! Paul needed people too! See the tenderness in these words.
Timothy was also told to bring the cloak, books and above all the parchments (2 Tim 4:13). The cloak was needed as winter was coming. Paul was in prison, and needed this garment. The books and the parchments could have been parts of Scripture.
We also read of how Paul desired to meet Mark, who is useful to Paul for ministry (2 Tim 4:11a). This is the same Mark that Paul deemed as one who is not useful for ministry (Acts 13:36-39). Yet, he recognises Mark’s growth and now has reconciled with him and is also willing to partner alongside him for the sake of the gospel.
Paul continues to think about ministry even in prison, even nearing the time of his death. He has also been dispatching and sending people away for ministry’s sake!
Understanding Paul’s circumstances also help us see the reason for these requests. He was deserted and left behind by Demas (2 Tim 4:10a-11). Who is Demas? In Colossians 4:14,18, we read of how he was writing from prison. Luke and Demas were with him. Demas also appears in other of Paul’s letters as a fellow co-labourer, one he trusted and even shared in suffering with. Yet, in 2 Timothy 4, he has deserted Paul. We recognise the grief of it, and also the warning it brings. Paul recognises that a turning away from Christ only comes because of competing loves. Demas was in love with this passing world and his heart has been ensnared by it. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, we had read of people who lor self, money, pleasure etc in the last days. This served as a warning for Timothy, and also us. What do you love?
In contrast is the physician Luke, who was with Paul every step of the way. He was with Paul during his first imprisonment, and here again, in his second. This same Luke recorded for us these words of Christ in Luke 9:23-25, words that he himself also obeyed. Luke stayed by Paul’s side to write letters with/for Paul, dying to himself, considering the cost of following Jesus and choosing to obey Him. As a result, we now have these words of Paul, as a result of faithful, physician Luke.
Next, Paul seems to give a series of updates and things that Timothy had to notice. Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus in Dalmatia (2 Tim 4:10b). Tychicus was sent to Ephesus by Paul ( 2 Tim 4:12). Erastus remained at Corinth and Paul left Trophimus (2 Tim 4:20).
This letter was a way of sharing updates about different people in an age when it’s hard to share information. As we have already read in 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul knows that he is about to die. These verses help us to recognise the nature of gospel ministry — it is done with people, people that you know and are known by you.
For us today, sometimes we show up to church and everything has been already prepared for us. We try not to leave a mess and sometimes we just leave. We are so wired by our information systems these days that we are hyperconnected but also unconcerned. See how relationships are made and maintained here.
But real human hands carry out the work of ministry. These are the names listed here, and we may not even know some of them or what they did. Perhaps, Paul was also updating Timothy to help him connect with the other brothers, for opposition and difficulties in ministry is real. Band together! At the same time, there is also a joy in knowing and working with one another. The gospel is spread by people in relationship with one another.
Finally, Paul writes some greetings and sends greetinngs from others. Timothy is to greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus (2 Tim 4:19). He is to be greeted by Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters (2 Tim 4:21b). Onesiphorus often refreshed Paul and was not ashamed of Paul’s chains (2 Tim 1:16-17)
It might be so extreme to be so ministry-minded to be like Paul, thinking of ministry even as he nears death. Or like Luke, who devoted his whole life to it. What else is better and more worth it?
Howard Guiness puts it this way:
“Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ’s sake, flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in his service? Where are his lovers, those who love him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort or very life?
Where are the men who say ‘no’ to self, who take up Christ’s cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field, who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?
Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God, who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?
Where are the men of prayer?
Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power?”
Is this what we will give our life to?
The practical outworking of this can be a bit flat for many of us. Does this mean we work in church? Read more Bible? Find some training?
See how Luke finished his studies and training, and allowed God to use it. Ask God to take all that’s in your life, to crush our dreams, remake them and use it for His purposes for eternity.
(B) The Lord who stands through it all (2 Tim 4:14-18,22)
Who does Paul single out, and why? (v14a, v15 c.f. 1 Tim 1:20) Even so, what does Paul want Timothy to recognise? (v14b c.f. v8)
Alexander the coppersmith did Paul great harm. This is likely the same person mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20. We don’t know the exact nature of this harm but it is likely that what he did landed Paul in prison this second time. Thus, Paul wants Timothy to beware of him as he strongly opposed the gospel message (2 Tim 4:15).
Yet, Paul is able to say that “the Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (2 Tim 4:14b). Do we believe that God determines our reward (c.f. 2 Tim 4:8)? Then, we need to also believe that vengeance and judgement belongs to God.
What happened to Paul, and who is at the center of it all? (v16-17 c.f. Acts 23:11) Using the table below, consider the parallels that are called to mind. What does this mean for Timothy and us?
Paul writes about his trials and sufferings in 2 Timothy 4:16-18, and writes in a way that draws from another part of Scripture, Psalm 22, a psalm of David.
Paul writes about how at his first defence, no one came to stand by him and he was deserted, but he did not hold it against them (2 Tim 4:16). Paul also emphasises the Lord standing by him and strengthening him (“yet”. 2 Tim 4:17).
In Psalm 22:1, David cries out to God as he feels like he has been left alone and forsaken. Later, Jesus cries this out on the cross as a suffering King. Yet, He also prays to God to forgive the people who do not know what they are doing (c.f. Mk 15:34, Lk 23:34).
Paul is encouraging Timothy to follow him as he follows Christ. We too, are to share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ. We have a Christ who has walked ahead of us in suffering.
How did Paul understand his circumstances? It was so that through him, the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it (2 Tim 4:17b). Similarly in Psalm 22:27-28 we read of the nations coming to God.
We may think of our rescue in terms of God’s love for us. That is true, but also remember that God has saved us for a purpose. We are also the beneficiaries of Paul’s writings thousands of years later! His suffering was not wasted! God has already planned it from ages ago that the families of the nations will turn to Him.
How much do you plan? So much of our lives are devoted to 3,5, 10 year plans. Maybe even 100 year plans. But we plan without much confidence. Instead, see God’s planning and wisdom here.
Paul also writes about how he was rescued from the lion’s mouth (2 Tim 4:17c). This is similar to Psalm 22:4-5, 20-21.
These verses continue to emphasise how we are to share in the suffering of Jesus. Paul shows us what that is, with a clarity of his purpose and what his ministry is about (c.f. 2 Tim 1:12, 2:3). How is he able to say these things? Because he knows whom he has believed. Jesus bore it all and suffered more than Paul us.
Today, are you worried about the suffering or cost of following Jesus? Friends, turn to Him and ask Him to show us Jesus again. The way to life, true life, does not come from following the ways of the world. That has to die. True life comes from dying to self and finding life in Christ.
What does Paul reflect on as he comes to the end of his letter and his life? Paul is confident that the Lord will rescue him from every evil deed and bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim 4:18). He looks beyond life on earth and is confident that earthly schemes cannot separate him from Christ.
This is a power that can only come from knowing Christ.
We may not experience the abandonment and desertion that Paul faces in 2 Timothy 4:16. But, there is one journey that we will all walk into alone — death — unless we know Christ who has gone ahead before us. He doesn’t just bring us into His presence alone, but we will join Him with the saints who have laboured alongside us, and perhaps, even those we have conflict with. But with and in CHrist, we will experience full and final restoration.
This eternal glory is worth devotion our who lives to. There is nothing in this world worth spending our time and energy on.
There is only one eternal glory and Paul calls us to consider this.
Paul concludes with the final sentence: “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you (plural)” (2 Tim 4:22). Now, Paul has been writing to Timothy, but he concludes with an exhortation to the church that is listening to the letter being read out. The charge, the commands and promises in this letter also extends to all who has placed their faith in Christ.
Do you know this grace? Is your live devoted to and marked by this grace? This is the grace that has saved us and will see us home.