"What a Day!"

Pastorals- Message Thirty-Five

2 Timothy 4:6-8

ETS: Paul reflected over his life and ministry looking forward to the soon-awaiting reward in Jesus.

ESS: We should remain faithful to the Gospel ministry looking forward to the reward that awaits us.

OSS: [MO: Consecrative] {SO: I want the hearers to realize the urgency of time and commit to faithfully serving Christ.}

PQ: What realities can be observed in these verses?

UW: Realities

Intro.: Following the instructions Paul gave to Timothy to preach the Word, Paul reflected on his ministry, the endurance of hardship, and the reward that he was looking forward to. This grounded his instructions in an encouraging tone to assure Timothy that his efforts would be rewarded. It also served to encourage Timothy amidst his hardship to comfort him in knowing that others had suffered as well, including his mentor, Paul.

TS: Let us examine together a few realities of this passage as we read the reflections of Paul.

The first reality is the reality of time. (Vv. 6-8)

The significance of these verses clarified the time of Paul’s writing this letter: near the end of his life. Verse 6 supports that Paul was near the end of his life, and the present tense “I am being poured out” supports his present suffering and difficult circumstances surrounding his imprisonment and sentence. Kostenberger highlighted the difference between Paul’s first inprisonment and the current one: “While toward the end of his first imprisonments the apostle already made plans for the time following his release (Phlm 22), he now seems resigned to his fate: “The time for my departure is close…” (Kostenberger 275).

Furthermore, Tony Merida suggested that these three verses highlight Paul’s present circumstances (being poured out), his past faithfulness (I have fought…finished…kept), and his future reward (there is reserved for me…) (Merida, 213-216).

Lastly, the final phrase alludes to the fact that Paul was nearing the end of his life, and it holds great implication: the word “departure” used here often referred to a boat pulling up the anchor to head towards a better destination, loosening the ropes, and letting go. Donald Guthrie wrote, “What might seem the end to Timothy appears to the apostle as a glorious new era when he will be released from all his present restrictions.” (Guthrie 187) [Share the analogy of the small boat and fishing story, pulling the anchor up to set sail to a new “honey hole” where more fish are caught”

2. The second reality is the reality of work (or ministry). (V. 7)

Paul highlighted his work in the ministry as he reflected on his faithfulness to the Gospel. He does so by using three analogies: a fight or struggle (likely military but could be athletic), a race (athletic), and the faith. A few observations should be noted about this verse: The verbs are in the perfect tense suggesting that the action was completed in the past with implications on the present; the first analogy supported the fact that Christian service and ministry required suffering and endurance of hardship; the second analogy never implied or suggested that Paul was boasting in a win; rather it suggested that Paul remained loyal to the ministry God called him to.

3. The third reality is the reality of reward. (V. 8)

The final reality of this passage is the reward that awaited Paul and awaits all believers who faithfully endure until the return of Christ.

The phrase “crown of righteousness” can be grammatically tricky and has caused interpretative debate among scholars. The likely meaning is that Jesus Christ, the Judge, gifts the righteousness to those who faithfully endure. Hence, the crown is one which is clothed in His righteousness.

Notice Paul’s speedy inclusion of all believers, though: “…and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.” Paul wanted to encourage Timothy by assuring him that the crown of righteousness was for all who endured faithfully. Furthermore, the phrase, “those who have loved his appearing” likely referred to the behaviors and actions of the believers which supported their longing and love, their strong desire to meet Christ and fellowship with Him at His appearing.

CONCLUSION: