BaptistWay: Toward a future filled with hope

• The BaptistWay lesson for Nov. 30 focuses on 2 Timothy 4:1-8, 16-18.

According to Shane Lopez’s book Making Hope Happen, American businesses lose $153 billion annually because workers struggle with chronic health conditions, mild illnesses and family emergencies. What helps employees show up to work more often? Hope.

Employees excited about the company’s goals—and their own future—miss less work and have strength to make it through difficult times. Evidently, the Apostle Paul knew this when he penned his second letter to his protégé Timothy. Hope and assurance of purpose are powerful motivators for God’s servants.

Paul’s final instruction (4:1-5)

In what is believed to be the apostle’s last epistle before his execution, Paul evokes God’s witness as he charges his young pastor friend Timothy to several tasks (v. 1): (1) preach truth; (2) take advantage of ministry and evangelistic opportunities in daily life; and (3) prioritize truth and righteousness, encouraging others toward the same, all while offering grace-filled patience—literally, “every endurance”—and careful instruction (v. 2).

Why is such care necessary? Because how leaders correct is as important as the truth they instill. To rebuke without providing instruction for the transgressor merely creates guilt, not change. To rebuke without kindness, love and grace damages Christ’s cause by promoting legalism.

Just as Paul began both his letters—alerting Timothy to the dangers of false teaching—he concludes by reiterating this warning. Believers and nonbelievers will reject orthodox truth, wanting to be taught only what agrees with their philosophies, perceptions or lifestyles (4:3-4). Paul’s original language is quite descriptive: these people will “heap together” or “collect” teachers who will tell them what they want to hear about their “peculiar lusts” (Greek, epithymas –translated “evil desires” in 3:6). Timothy must be the voice of truth, alert at all times to heresy, composed and self-controlled without losing his temper or acting foolishly. He will have to endure difficulties, continue sharing the gospel and work hard, faithfully executing his duties as pastor (v. 5).

Paul’s eternal preparation (4:6-8)

Written in approximately A.D. 62-63, Paul penned 2 Timothy from a dungeon in Rome, with strong indications any day could be his last. And with Nero as emperor, it was a reasonable expectation. The imagery Paul uses of the drink offering (v. 6) refers to an Israelite sacrificial practice in which worshippers poured wine onto a meat offering daily, on the Sabbath, and/or on feast days in specified quantities—one-fourth, one-third or one-half of a hin, approximately a gallon—according to the animal and purpose of the sacrifice.

Generally speaking, the drink offering was a volitional gift, an expression of gratitude for God’s goodness, not necessarily for sin atonement. As for Paul, his life is draining away, emptied for Christ’s sake until every last ounce of life within him is spilled out in grateful, sacrificial service to his loving Savior.

The apostle is satisfied he has “fought the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12; 1 Corinthians 9:26); finished the race (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:24-26; Galatians 2:2); and kept the faith, maintaining sound doctrine and loyalty to Christ and his calling (v. 7). Paul is so sure of God’s character, he boldly states confidence in the “crown of righteousness” (v. 8) the Lord will present to him upon his death.

This idea not only fills him with hope, but is a word of promise for all believers, and a challenge to live with devoted obedience in anticipation of hearing the words from Jesus’—our Holy Judge’s—lips: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).

Paul’s personal hope (vv. 16-18)

Paul’s words in 4:7-8 were not a vain boast; they were reflections on life by an older man who knew execution was imminent—although verses 9-13 indicate he still hopes to see Timothy soon. Despite his apparent fortitude, Paul still is human. He knows the hurt and loneliness of abandonment. During the first hearing, similar to a modern grand jury hearing, no one spoke to him nor stood in support of him.

Can you imagine the depth of his discouragement and grief? Perhaps you know it well. Where his friends were, we don’t know, but just like Jesus, Paul desired their absolution (v. 16; Luke 23:34).

Through that experience, he knew God’s faithful presence and found God’s strength sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 3:3). So much so, he was able to proclaim the gospel to an audience that likely included many races and tribes of the Roman Empire.

Whether preserved from the mouth of literal lions, Satan (1 Peter 5:8), or some other figurative identity, Paul still is alive (v. 17). Given he expects his earthly life is nearing its end (v. 6), Paul is confident of God’s protection in verse 18—not against physical attacks, but rather, spiritual ones.

Hopelessness, fear, loneliness and discouragement are powerful weapons in Satan’s arsenal. He might use any of these to render Paul ineffective in the last days, months and years of his life. Instead, Paul was assured God would preserve him, overcoming spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12) and take him to heaven, the fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Luke 9:24: “whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Whether in life or death, Paul desired God receive all glory (4:18).

Instruction and encouragement

Paul’s letters to Timothy—from one older faithful servant of God to a younger one—are letters of instruction and encouragement for 21st century believers, too. In a culture increasingly opposed to Judeo-Christian morals and resistant to the exclusive truths of Christ’s gospel, our challenges closely resemble Timothy’s as pastor in Ephesus’ pagan culture.

False teachings thrive today just as rampantly as they did then. People avoid truth that makes them uncomfortable or challenges them—not every message that’s good for us is pleasant. Others are distracted by extraneous arguments that have nothing to do with the gospel. Think for a moment about fruitless discussions in your church or in the church universal. Why are they futile? How do you see them as counterproductive to the gospel? What can you do about it?

Surely, as we sometimes do, Timothy questioned the value of faithfully living for God and battled discouragement. Paul offered straightforward instructions for fulfilling his calling, but also encouraged him with the hope found in Christ. No, it’s not a hope seen, felt or touched (see Hebrews 11:1), but it nevertheless real.

We can have hope for the future because God demonstrates his care and love for us (Romans 5:8) for salvation, life here and for eternity. Make a list of ways he has shown his compassion to you, particularly in difficult times, reflect on them, and praise him.