2 Timothy 4:6-8

Summary retelling of 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Paul reminds Timothy that he is already being offered up as a ritualistic offering.  He believes that the time of his death is upon him.  He has come to the end of his life and his faith in God remains intact.  Paul is confident that the crown of righteousness is awaiting him at the hand of Christ and he will receive it on Judgment Day.  Paul is also confident that all who remain faithful to God and long for Christ’s return will wear their crown.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul calls himself something being offered up as a ritualistic offering.  If taken literally, Paul is saying that he believes that his blood is about to be shed.  This could imply that he expects his death to be unpleasant.  If taken figuratively, Paul is saying that his life is being offered as a sacrifice for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel.  Either way, it seems to indicate that the end of Paul’s ministry is going to be on a bleak note from the perspective of the world.  However, knowing that he has done it for God puts a divine spin and makes it all worthwhile.

Is it easy to live a life keeping a perspective that earthly persecution is worth enduring because of future glory in God’s presence?  Why is it hard to maintain this perspective?

Second Thought:

Paul considers it an incredible accomplishment to have made it through life with his faith intact.  This is not something that Paul takes for granted.  He has seen fellow evangelists turn aside.  He’s had disciples turn their back on him.  He’s been met with plenty of disappointments, persecutions, and struggles.  However, he’s also seen his fair share of successes, made his share of true disciples, and watched God work in a number of people’s lives.  It is very difficult to sustain faith through one’s whole life.

Why is it so difficult to sustain a faithful relationship with God throughout the whole of one’s life?  What can we do to help make it more likely that we will stay faithful to God?

Third Thought:

Paul also talks about the crown of righteousness.  This should not surprise us.  Jesus Himself teaches us to store up our treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy.  We know we shall receive eternal life.  We will live eternally with God.  There is no reason to also think that God won’t celebrate with us for those times that we do remain faithful and do the work that He has called us to do.  Notice that Paul also seems excited about being able to celebrate the crowns of righteousness for all the faithful, not just himself.

How do you feel about one day receiving a crown of righteousness?  How do you feel about watching the faithful people around you also receive their crown of righteousness?  How can this concept help keep us on the path of faithfulness that we talked about in the first and second thoughts?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Timothy 4:9-12