2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8
Paul’s own course being finished, the burden of carrying on the testimony would more than ever devolve to Timothy. Thus, exhortation was urgent. Paul’s testimony deals with the present, the past and the future: in verse 6 he depicts his present circumstances; in verse 7 he views his life in retrospect; whilst in verse 8 he rejoices in his prospects for the future.
He says: “For I am now ready to be offered” (v.6), lit. “I am already being poured out as a libation (drink offering)”; this is not the first time that Paul uses this figure of the drink offering. He has already said, “if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith” (Phil 2:17). He foresaw this as a possibility then, but here he drops all condition (no “if”); it was now being realised. When the children of Israel made offerings by fire, they were to pour out a certain measure of wine indicative of divine joy and satisfaction in the completed sacrifice (Ex 29:40). The apostle’s whole life from conversion had been placed upon the altar for God, devoted in service to God as a living sacrifice. He views his death as a drink offering poured upon the sacrifice of his life of service.
Paul continues: “the time of my departure is at hand” (or “is come”). The word “departure” is a common expression for “death”; it was used of loosening the tent cords when breaking camp, and also of hoisting the anchor of a ship ready to sail. The time for Paul to strike tent and to go home had come; the time to loose his moorings and to set sail for the eternal harbour had arrived. Note the contrast between the end of Saul the Benjamite of the O.T. and the end of Saul the Benjamite of the N.T. At the end of the journey of life, King Saul had to bemoan, “I have sinned…I have played the fool and have erred” (1 Sam 26:21). The Lord Himself could say, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do…I have manifested thy name” (Jn 17:4,6). Now Paul has three triumphant notes: “I have fought a good fight” (v.7), not “I have fought well”, but rather “the contest in which I have been fighting is a noble one”. The figure is not drawn from the battlefield, but from the well-known Greek games, indeed the underlying figure may be that of the wrestling match or the boxing arena. The idea of a games contest links closely with the second expression. For Paul goes on to say, “I have finished my (the) course”; here we have the figure of the footrace; this was the fulfilment of the apostle’s desire expressed in Acts 20:24: “so that I might finish my course with joy”. His eye had always been on the goal, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). Now he was crossing the finishing line. Paul adds: “I have kept (or guarded) the faith” – the reference is to the body of Christian doctrine, referred to earlier in the epistle as “that good thing (deposit)” (2 Tim 1:14).
Paul now takes his thoughts on to the future: “Henceforth there is laid up for me (i.e. kept safe for me) a crown of righteousness” – the crown which is the due reward of righteousness, “which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day”. This description continues the picture of the athletic games. Paul himself had been the subject of much criticism; however, the righteous judge will make no mistake and commit no injustice. His will be a righteous assessment in keeping with His own righteous character. The words “at that day” tell us that the Judgment Seat of Christ is in view when hidden things will be brought to light. Compare 2 Tim 1:18: “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day”. The apostle continues: “and not to me only”, so Paul has no exclusive monopoly in this; such a crown is open for all to gain providing that they “love his appearing”; the reference is to the public manifestation of Christ when He will come to reign in righteousness. To “love his appearing” is to long for that day when this scene, now marked by lawlessness, will be characterised by righteousness; we do well to bear in mind that to “love his appearing” is manifested in a life of practical righteousness now.
David E West
What will it be to dwell above
And with the Lord of glory reign,
Since the sweet earnest of His love
So brightens all this dreary plain?
No heart can think, or tongue can tell
What joy ‘twill be with Christ to dwell.
J. Swain