Last updated on December 15, 2024
Today’s reading comes from 2 Timothy. This is the last of Paul’s letters. He is once again in Rome, and once again in prison, and he knows that his time on earth is short. It’s a tough time for Paul. Many of his friends have deserted him. The churches that he started are all facing challenges from within and without. And many Christians, especially in Rome, are facing terrible persecution (more on this in a few days).
Because of all of this, as well as for his love for Timothy, this letter is very personal. He knows that Timothy is fighting hard, and he doesn’t want him to give up. He reminds him of Christ’s work in Timothy’s life, and he challenged him to continue doing the work.
Much of that work was defending the gospel. I find it interesting that in both letters to Timothy and in the letter to Titus, Paul talks so much about the need for sound doctrine. The reason is that doctrine was under attack. There was so much false teaching. He says to Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
He also tells him, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:2-3).
Towards the end of the letter Paul asks Timothy to come and see him. And then he writes these last beautiful and courageous words:
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8.
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