Financial advisers tell everyone to have a will. Without planning, people are leaving to chance the future disposition of their finances. For example, Dave Ramsey writes that “A will is the last gift you’ll leave your family and loved ones. It makes the management of your assets clear and simple for everyone involved. If you don’t have a will in place when you die, there’s no guarantee your wishes will be followed.”
The apostle Paul may not have owned much property, but he prepared for the future. As we’ve chosen for the title of this blog series, he “considered the end” of his life throughout the days of his ministry. (Here are the links to the first, second, and third posts.)
2 Timothy is Paul’s final letter. Imprisoned once again, he knows his passing is imminent so he pens some final encouragements to a young co-worker who could continue the ministry. In this way, Paul hands over to Timothy, and to us, his spiritual heritage.
Scripture
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now 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
Three major themes lie within this short passage, one in each verse. Let’s explore how these relate to the theme of this series, living in light of the end.
Disappearance
In verse 6, Paul compares himself to a drink offering, a ritual mentioned throughout the Old Testament. Notice that he declares he was already undergoing a sacrificial experience. How so?
We associate the sacrifices of the Old Testament with death; the priest would slaughter an animal and use its blood to atone for the sins of the people. This is how Paul interprets his ministry; he describes himself and his fellow apostles as sacrificial lambs (see Romans 8:36). But a drink offering? Why does Paul use that analogy?
One reason is that he’s done so before.
“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” – Philippians 2:17
By encouraging the Philippian church while in chains, Paul models a mindset of sacrifice.
Another reason lies in the second half of verse 6. The word translated “departure” means unloosing or dissolving. Contrasted with an animal sacrifice, a drink offering is almost invisible. We can witness the unpleasant slaying of a bull but a poured out liquid vanishes. If we combine this image with the notion of dissolving, we realize that Paul is preparing to disappear. That’s how he views the end of his life. Soon he will fade from the scene but he isn’t disappointed. It’s the same attitude John the Baptist had.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30 (NASB)
Accomplishment
Verse 7 emphasizes the effort that goes into ministry. Serving the Lord takes work–lots of it! But like an athletic competition, time will expire. At some point, the game’s over. Recognizing this makes us humble; we appreciate the limits of our participation. Only Jesus deserves ceaseless glory. The Greek phrase for “finishing the course” occurs here in and in two other verses. (I put the phrase in bold for emphasis.)
“As John [the Baptist] was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’” – Acts 13:25
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” – Acts 20:24
Paul’s ministry is complete; he has carried out the mission to which the Lord had called him. The life of John the Baptist ended in martyrdom (see Mark 6:14-29) and so will Paul’s.
What about ours? It might. We can’t dictate the future but we can focus on the present. We can live for the Lord and for others today. If that decision costs us our lives, so be it.
Reward
In verse 8, Paul moves from ministry to reward. The One he serves will recompense him for his labors.
But always thinking of others, Paul expands the list of honorees. God will reward anyone who longs for the return of Christ. Why bring up the second coming? What does it have to do with Christian service?
First, it looks like Paul knows that he is going to miss it. His hourglass has almost run out but Jesus has not yet come back.
Second, Paul wants to motivate others to serve the Lord, especially in light of his soon departure. And the second coming of Christ affects how we live. After writing an entire chapter about the resurrection and return of Christ, Paul concludes 1 Corinthians 15 with these words:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
And the writer to the Hebrews offers his readers a similar admonition:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Third, the return of Christ identifies when we will receive recognition and rewards.
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” – Matthew 16:27
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” – Revelation 22:12
Application
Referring to the second coming, Martin Luther remarked, “There are two days in my calendar: this day and that day.” A simple way to organize our calendar! But more than that, this perspective reveals the only events guaranteed to us: the present and the return of Jesus.
We have no control over the latter; we don’t know when it will take place because God keeps that secret to Himself. But He’s told us to live in light of Christ’s return when He ushers in the kingdom of God on earth. To consider the end of our lives, we must do more than contemplate our demise. We must also acknowledge that Jesus could come back at any moment. A glorious transformation awaits! That’s an end worth considering.
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