II Timothy 4, A Drink Offering

A drink offering is a liquid drink (often wine) poured over the altar as part of the sacrifice.  In this final part of his letter to Timothy, Paul sees his life as a drink offering, being completed soon as a sacrifice to God.

2 Timothy 4: 1-5, Sound doctrine

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Paul has an eternal perspective here, aware that Jesus will some day complete everything begun in Genesis 1, and has some final focus points for his younger friend.  Focus on Christ and "sound doctrine", understanding correctly the universe and the kingdom of its Creator.  This is not easy to do and Timothy is warned of the temptation to look elsewhere.

2 Timothy 4: 6-8, A drink offering and the crown of righteousness

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 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.

Paul sees his death approaching, either by the weaknesses of old age or at the hands of the Romans. (Tradition says that Paul was executed by emperor Nero.) Regardless of the approach of death, Paul sees past it to a wondrous reward.

2 Timothy 4: 9-13, A few requests

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

Paul is lonely, probably a little discouraged.  He wants the encouragement of companions like Luke and Mark. Recall that Paul earlier sent Mark away, unhappy with Mark's actions in the first missionary journey. (See Acts 15:36-41.)  Clearly Mark has redeemed himself.

Paul is also cold and winter is coming.  He wants his cloak and his scrolls.  (What I would give to look at those ancient scrolls!  Surely they were copies of the Old Testament, possibly marked up and commented on?)

2 Timothy 4: 14-18, 

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. 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. 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.

Alexander appears to have been an individual in Ephesus who opposed and attacked Paul. The fact that Timothy is being warned about him would indicate that Alexander outwardly claims to be a believer and is attempting to undermine Paul. Presumably this is the same Alexander mentioned in I Timothy 1:20.

2 Timothy 4: 19-22, Come before winter!

Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.

Do your best to get here before winter. 

Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Paul ends his letter with a few more short requests.  It is probably autumn and getting colder. Priscilla and Aquila have been active apostles with Paul for sometime and are obviously a strong couple. There are a few final greetings, followed by a quick goodbye.