Final Thoughts to Timothy

2 TIMOTHY 4

Some good closing thoughts, actually strong recommendations, from Paul, close out this second epistle to Timothy. The warnings have come, looking all the way back through 1 and 2 Timothy, regarding everything from checking one’s own character and qualifications, to being on the lookout and steering clear of false teachers. In this chapter Paul requests writing materials, so he clearly desired to write more, but if this is indeed Paul’s final writing, it stands to reason that we would do well to pay close attention to what is here.

Paul uses the term “solemnly charge”, meaning he’s serious. Preach the word. Reprove, rebuke, exhort (strongly encourage), and do it all with patience and instruction. Note that Paul was urging Timothy to do these actions, as he would be preaching the word. It seems like the point is that preaching the word is the basic step, and then one is to use the word as he reproves, rebukes, encourages and teaches. Maybe it is too simple to call all this the “SO WHAT”, and yet it is pretty clear that this is how Paul is saying it should work.

And if anyone were to ask Paul why this was so important, he would certainly reply with what he writes in verse 4, where a day will come when people will not want to deal with sound doctrine, and would rather hear only what they want to hear (ears tickled). Further, Paul instructs Timothy to be sober, or what we would think of as calm, collected, dispassionate. Indeed, God’s Word is serious stuff, as is our relationship to Him, and along with Timothy needing to be strong, courageous, standing firm, he is to be calm and in control as well. Very much so in our world today, people have continued to turn from truth and toward myths.

Most of all in this chapter, Paul keeps the big picture in mind. Paul has been horribly mistreated in so many ways, such that the vast majority of us cannot even comprehend. He takes great joy in the righteousness that awaits him in glory; him and anyone else willing to accept Christ. He also maintains the presence of mind to be thinking of so many others, even those who have deserted him along this evangelistic journey.

When others turned from him, and wrongly opposed him, the Lord stood by him, the Lord strengthened him, still allowing him to be used for the kingdom. It is this eternal glory Paul certainly has in mind as he rejoices in being rescued. And he is consistently pointing to God, who alone is glorious.

I know I have much to learn and many areas in which to grow in this life. As we find ourselves in a culture which really wants nothing to do with God, and which opposes Him on so many fronts, how will we respond? I pray that we learn from these letters to Timothy. They have become a regular read for me as I evaluate the person of God I am and the person of God He wants me to become.