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Paul’s Last Words: First Words of 2011
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all (4:22).
Paul’s Epitaph
In 4:6-8, Paul writes his famous epitaph:
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.
Itching Ears
In today’s world, with 24/7 access to nearly infinite amounts of information and commentary, it has become very easy to avoid dissenting points of view.
Compare this state of affairs to 4:1-4.
Last Days
Read 3:1-5 and imagine a time that isn’t like the “last days.”
Can you?
I’m Confused
I don’t understand what Paul means in 2:11-13:
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
The last five lines sound contradictory and don’t make sense to me.
What do you think?
Suffering
In 2:3, Paul writes, “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
We are not called to pursue suffering for its own sake, but only in service to the higher purpose of serving Christ.
Who can you suffer with today?
Family Faith
We are reminded, in 1:5, of the power of a family’s faith in the development of a child’s relationship with God. Do you have a Eunice?
Merry Christmas
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David” (2 Timothy 2:8a).
Grace Revealed
In 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Paul writes that although grace was available through Jesus before the beginning of time, it wasn’t revealed until after Christmas day.
Outline of 2 Timothy 4
- Preach truthfully, even when false teachers win the popularity contest of public opinion
- Come to me quickly, becuause even most of my friends have deserted me
- Final good-byes
