2 Timothy, Day 4
Paul’s Final Words to Timothy: An Eternal Legacy (I Timothy 4:6 – 22)
In the last few paragraphs of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we are given an inside look at the leadership ups and downs in Paul’s life at the latter part of his ministry. This was to be his last letter to the church, and he ends it with a long list of leaders who were making an impact, and one man who had abandoned the call on his life as a partner in ministry in the church. Paul also takes some time in this passage to speak to a credible threat to the church: Alexander the Coppersmith.
Paul prefaces the list of individuals at the end of the letter with his last statement of confidence in his calling as a son of the King and apostle for God’s glory. He focuses on his journey so far, his present state, and his destination: the presence of the Lord.
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now 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 4:7 – 8).
When we study the list of leaders found in the next section of the passage, it provides insight into 1st-century church leadership success stories and struggles (4:10 – 13, 19 – 21). It also includes a warning of the reality of evil when the Gospel makes an impact (14 – 15).
The success stories are amazing. They provide snapshots of men and women living for God’s glory. Mark is one of the greatest stories of reconciliation we have in the Bible. Doctor Luke gave us two incredible books in the New Testament that documented the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the history of the beginning and early days of the êkklesia. Titus was one of Paul’s closest friends and effective co-workers. His letter is on the next page in our Bibles, and articulates the perils and responsibilities of leadership for pastors and leaders in the church. Crescens, Tychichus, Carpus, Priscilla and Aquilla, Onesiphorus , and Trophimus, all played important parts in the ministry, playing vital parts in the evangelistic mission of the church. Erastus (the treasurer of the city of Corinth), Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia, are also named as vital parts of the mission. Paul also includes two groups in the list: the household of Onesiphorus (a man who ministered to Paul in Rome), and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus. These nameless individuals were part of the collective effort that transformed so many lives.
In this passage, there are also three sections that focus on disappointment, forgiveness, and a warning. First, Paul mentions Demas at the beginning of the list. He had worked with Paul, but had left Paul’s ministry “because he loved this world.” Every time I read this passage, I am struck by the personal emotion Paul infers when he writes that Demas “has deserted me . . . ” His personal disappointment in Demas is so evident in those words. Reading between the lines, I’m sure his fallen brother was a source of sadness.
In another section, Paul’s sadness is revealed about his own feelings of being deserted (16a). In this part of the chapter, he tells Timothy about the lack of any support at his first defense. However, the bulk of this section focuses on forgiveness (16b) and the presence of God’s power evident to Paul in every moment of the ordeal (17 – 18):
“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen (2 Timothy 4:16 – 18).
Paul spends two verses focusing on a very dangerous individual in this passage: Alexander the Coppersmith. Many scholars think Alexander was a coppersmith who made idols for a living. Alexander antagonized Paul and probably some of the other leaders. Some scholars think he was part of the mob at the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19). Whatever his oppressive role was in Paul’s ministry, he was known as an antagonist of the Gospel message. Paul’s response teaches us so much about focusing on God’s singular role in vengeance, and the call to be aware and vigilant concerning those who oppose the Gospel, guarding the flock and each other.
“The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message” (2 Timothy 4:14 – 15).
Paul closes this letter with so many insights into the struggles and victories in early church leadership. He also gives us insight into his relationships, needs, and disappointments. We see that he does not take evil lightly, and his love and passion for the people he worked with are found throughout the passage. After his Damascus road experience, Paul’s influence was unstoppable through the power of God. He passionately pursued people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ — the Gospel that had transformed his life and many of theirs!
This week, think about all the spiritual leaders that have impacted your life. Take some time to connect with them and remind them that what they are doing is making an impact. As you think about their impact, seek God for ways to use the gifts God has given you to impact people and start developing a plan to implement these gifts into the mission of the church “keeping the faith, fighting the fight, and finishing the race,” as we do life together. God bless you!
Pastor Chuck