Timothy II - Expositional Study
AT THE END OF THE ROAD
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (KJV)
Introduction
Here is one of the most familiar and exhilarating passages in the New Testament. Paul is actually at the end of his road. He began on the Damascus Road over thirty years ago, when in all his pride and prejudice he was suddenly stopped, humbled, and converted. What a day that must have been. He never forgot or tired of telling the story! Three times he tells it in Acts. He would have loved the hymn, "O happy day that fixed my choice." Can you remember the "day", the definite time when you were born again? A time you can put your finger on and say, "This is when it happened to me!"? If so, hopefully it will help to refresh your spirit and in grateful recollection cause you to tell others how the great event took place. Perhaps you cannot remember the exact date when you were horn again. But you do know that by the grace of God you are a child of God who walks with Christ, always remembering His words, "I am the way..." (John 14:6). For Paul, his beginning was clear.
Now let us briefly consider the close. Paul is evidently conscious that the end is approaching. The "I" here is emphatic. It supplies the reason why Timothy is now, in a particular way, to "watch...endure...do...make" (v. 5), "for I am now ready to be offered" (v. 6). Up to now the Ephesian Christians, and Timothy, have been able to turn to Paul for comfort, guidance, and help. But, the apostle is to be taken from them. Timothy must brace himself and prepare to lose Paul. "Moses, my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan" (Josh. 1:2); "The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha" (2 Kings 2:15). Joshua, Elisha – successors of the great. Timothy is to be another.
How does Paul view his end? First as an offering – "I am already being offered". In Philippians 2:7 it was hypothetical, "if I be offered". Now it is actual, "I am being offered." The picture is of the drink-offering being poured forth, in the Mosaic economy, over the sacrifice, a libation of wine. With Romans 12:1 in mind, we can say that his life had been the sacrifice, "living sacrifice", and now his death, the outpouring of his blood in martyrdom, is the drink-offering, setting the final seal upon the whole-burnt-offering of his sacrificial life. He was not only ready to suffer, but proud to die for such a Master! As Browning's young soldier who came flying from the battlefield, reporting to Napoleon the victory at Ratisbon. Wounded, but eager, he brought the glad news and then the Emperor noticed his wounds:
"You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride
Touched to the quick, he said:
"I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside,
Smiling the boy fell dead."
Wounds, he felt, were but second-rate honors: he craved the highest, giving his utmost. So it was with Paul, who longed to go the whole length, not mere wounds but sheer death!
The second way Paul looks at his coming death is as a departure – the "unloosing", as the word literally means. This is a most interesting and illuminating word. It has at least five connotations, each throwing a flood-light on death. It is a prisoner's word, meaning his "release". What comfort that would bring to Paul, shut up in that foul Roman dungeon. He is about to be cut loose. It also carries the thought to Christians, imprisoned within a mortal body, who one day will be set free from all its restrictions and disabilities. It is a farmer's word signifying "unyoking" an ox after a long, hard working day. Paul had ploughed a toilsome furrow throughout his life's long day, and now comes rest. This is something we should all greatly esteem, if our life has been strenuously occupied in God's service. It is a warrior's word. The encampment was pitched and a fierce battle joined, now it is vicariously over and he strikes his tent, "unloosing" its cords and stakes, on the march again to the last great conquest of the campaign. How true of Paul, the battle-scarred old veteran, and of all who follow in his steps. It is a seaman's word, used for the "unmooring" of a ship tied to a dock, which must now put out to sea. In Paul's case, and all who follow the Lord, it is setting sail upon the ocean of the last voyage, homeward bound! It is a philosopher's word suggesting the "unravelling" of a problem. How many puzzles agitate and disturb our hearts, while pondering life on this earth and its mysteries – "but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Cor. 13:12). It will be wonderful to have all our questions satisfyingly answered. The Christian's "departure" implies all this, and much more! Of course, death is an intensely solemn thing which came out in Paul's first figure of the "outpouring". But, looking at it this second way, it is a glorious thing. It is not an exaggeration to say that, for the Christian, the best thing that can happen is to die. Paul says that very thing, "to depart, and to be with Christ...is far better" (Phil. 1:23). A Christian is happy with the thought of departing this life, going home. Of course, if the lord comes first, the Christian will not pass through the grave, "we which are alive...shall be caught up...to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4:17) – no death, coffin, grave, tombstone, or epitaph. But, even if a Christian does die, it should be looked upon as a "departure" filled with rejoicing. Sadness, perhaps for loved ones left behind, but for the Christian only gladness. Timothy is here reminded that Paul's time for departure is "at hand." It is only natural that Paul should, at this point, turn retrospectively to look at the days gone by.
Now Paul speaks of the course. Once again, Paul's heart peeps out. He turns to the field of athletics, as he often did, for illustrations of his life. Preachers and teachers of the Gospel would be more interesting and impressive if they were more alert to see, in common happenings and things, pictures of deeper concerns. Paul was expert at this.
First, it is the wrestling – "I have fought a good fight." Some scholars think it is this to which Paul refers, rather than soldiering. When he uses the word, "good", it is hard to imagine that he has fought well, but it has been a worth-while fight, a struggle, calling for his worthiest and best. There are some causes that are not worthy enough for us to take off our coats for. But the cause of God is great enough, and "good" enough for all of us to give our all. What a wrestle Paul's whole life had been! Constantly he wrestled with circumstances such as hardship, loss, suffering, and shipwreck. But "in all these things we are more than conquerors" (Rom. 8:37). What a difference it would make to our experience and influence, if only we could also learn "through Him" to triumph over our circumstances. He also wrestled with enemies. They dogged him at every step, plotting against his life. But, at every turn he proved victorious. If we had spoken with him about his struggles, he would have probably referred us to a deeper antagonism, even as he reminded the Ephesians (6:12), "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places". When a Christian is "all-out" for God, he will, sooner or later, have a battle with evil powers. For Paul, the fight was now done.
For further illustration he now turns to racing – "I have finished my course". The running-track had provided him with many lessons. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus" (Heb. 12:1). Several tips are offered. First, keep the weight down. In this verse "weight" is a medical term and it seems to say, "let us get rid of every ounce of superfluous flesh", which is what an athlete tries to do. Its spiritual significance is that we should become smaller. In other words, less and less of self! Second, keep the limbs free. Here is a "sin which doth so easily beset us", which closely wraps around us like a garment stopping our free movement. One cannot run their best in an overcoat. And the Bible is concerned with good running, i.e., running our best! Some Christians are slowed down in the race because of sin that clings to them. They will never be able to run all-out until they have learned to throw it off. Third, keep the eyes "looking unto Jesus". The eyes are very important in athletic events such as boxing, baseball, football, soccer, golf, basketball, tennis, track, etc. Here is some good advice for the Christian race: "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee" (Prov. 4:25). Never mind about other people. Peter asks, "lord, and what shall this man do?" (John 21:21), and gets his Master's answer, "What is that to thee? Follow thou me". In other words, eyes off all other people, keeping eyes only on Him who is "the author and finisher of our faith". On He Who was at the start of our race and now waits at the end. Fourth, keep the race going and "run with patience". This is not a sprint, but a long-distance race. We are to go on and on, plodding along the track, yard after yard, year after year, day after day, minute after minute. "Let us go on" (Heb. 6:1). When he wrote this epistle, Paul had been at it for more than thirty years, yet he will not cease until he crosses the finish line, breaking the tape! He said, "that I might finish my course with joy" (Acts 20:24). Now he is almost home. It has been for him, as it will be for everyone who is "God's athlete", a set course. For God has chosen the path, marking the way for each of His athletes. It is a long course, whose finish may yet be far off or be just around the bend. It is a strenuous course, with opposition and difficulties. It is an obstacle race. Such is "the race that is set before us". Paul magnificently ran the whole length and will soon triumphantly finish. From experience, this old athlete says to Timothy and all others following on the same track, "so run, that ye may obtain" (1 Cor. 9:24). There is a prize to be won.
Now consider the third illustration of the successful Christian life, safe-guarding – "I have kept the faith." Suppose you were entrusted with something valuable with instructions to deliver it to someone on the other side of the world. You carefully wrap it, perhaps secretly strapping it around your body. But, even though you meet professional thieves and robbers along the way, you keep the treasure safe and intact, until at last, with relief and joy, you arrive at your destination, handing it over to the owner. As Jude 3 says, "ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." On his journeys, Paul was frequently, "in perils of robbers" (2 Cor. 11:26), who in the spiritual and material sense, sought to take from him his treasure. They sought to damage his trust. But now he is at the end of the voyage and soon will thankfully deliver up the treasure and will hand it over unmarred. He told Timothy about those who were "reprobate concerning the faith" (3:8). He is thankful beyond measure that it is different in his case. No wrongful boasting, for in 1 Corinthians 15:10, he ascribes all that he has or will become and all he has ever done to the "grace" of God.
He now sees that the course of his eventful life is leading him to a crown. In the eighth verse of our present text, we read of this crown. First, consider the display of the prize – "Henceforth there is laid up for me." In ancient Greek games there would be displayed, in some public spot, the prize to be awarded to the successful entrant. Spectators and competitors alike could view them. Spectators viewed with interest and competitors with hope. Though their trophy would only be a wreath of pine or laurel, they still placed high value on acquiring it. The winning athlete was honored, along with his home city. When the conquering hero returned home with his wreathed crown, he was given a procession and reception. But, until the event was won, the prize was "laid up", under security, for the winner. In like manner, the rewards in heaven are "laid up" for those who "run well". We cannot see them with the eyes of flesh. But, our hearts can joyfully and thankfully contemplate the "goodness, which Thou has laid up for them that fear Thee" (Ps. 31:19).
Now, consider the character of the prize – "a crown of righteousness." Notice two things about this prize. First, it is for righteous people, i.e., those who have the "imputed" righteousness of Christ. If we have never been born again, then we have not yet entered the race and are not entitled to a prize. Second, it is for righteous lives, i.e., those who, having been born again, devote what remains of their lives to His service and honor. Moffatt translates the phrase this way, "the crown of a good life." The reward is not for merit, but a gift of God's grace. In other words, living a good life only makes one eligible for reward – "when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10).
Consider the Giver of the prize— "the Lord, the righteous judge." Paul will soon appear before Nero, the unrighteous judge, knowing what it will cost him. He is not unprepared to receive at Nero's unjust hands the sentence of death. But, he is looking for a reward that he will receive at the hands of another, from a Judge inescapably just and generous. What a marvelous thought it is to be rewarded by the wonderful, wounded hands of the Living Lord!
Notice now, the day of the prize – "at that day." In verse 2:5, we considered the word "crowned", calling attention to "the prize of the high calling" (Phil. 3:14), as being the 'upward' calling. The ceremony, at the end of the game, i.e., the winning athlete being called to go upward to the grand stand to receive the prize, an illustration of "that day" in our present passage when Christians will be "caught up" (1 Thess. 4:17) to receive His prize. What a grand day that will be! What a thrill to see the famous veterans of the track file up to get their crowns. What a tragedy if any of us should be missing from that list, receiving no prize!
Lastly, consider the winners of the prize – "not...me only, but...all them also that love His appearing". Why? Because, if we have set our heart on His appearing, it will so affect our Christian life and service that we will qualify for the prize He will then distribute. The thought of one day meeting Him should put that something extra into our: wrestling, racing, and safe-guarding. By so doing, we will be successful and rewarded. So, it is pertinent to enquire, are we eagerly looking forward to His return? Are our hearts longing for the return of Christ? Or, are we dreading it, because we know we are not ready to meet Him and making no attempt to do so? It is a solemn and important question. It is evident from our verse that prize or no prize depends upon our answer.
Conclusion
The lines of an old hymn are:
"The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear bridegroom's face.
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His pierced hand:
The Iamb is all the glory
Of Immanuel's land."
Prizes will certainly not satisfy in "that day", no matter how beautiful or wonderful. Only the Lord will satisfy! So, the last word from the passage is not of the prize, but of the Person and "His appearing". As we now end our present consideration let us spend time thinking and praying.
