February 15, 2023

2 Timothy 4:1-8 (HCSB)
Fulfill Your Ministry
4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.

Nathan Putty
So, Timothy’s marching orders continue as Paul lays out more instruction for his player. It’s game time! These verses echo the previous passage–first they warn, then they encourage. In this case, they warn that many will turn to teaching that sounds good but isn’t true. Modern day politicians, perhaps? I don’t know about you, but I take comfort in knowing I’m done looking for the truth. I’ve found it in the greatest of teachers! Paul knew they were on the winning side of the greatest debate of all time and there’s no reason to act like you aren’t. The last verses are a bit...well, bittersweet. Paul’s curtain call is soon approaching, but he seems at peace with the inevitable. What waits for Paul after death is beyond words, but I’m sure Timothy couldn’t help but grieve his mentor and friend. Good game, Coach Paul!