733. 2TI 4:6-9. PAUL’S WAITING FOR MARTYRDOM. [NO. V.]

2Ti_4:6-9. Paul’s Waiting for Martyrdom. [No. V.]

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day," &c.’972Ti_4:6-9.

During Paul’s first visit to Rome, as a prisoner, he was allowed to dwell in his own hired house, in which he received whom he would’97and where he labored diligently in his holy calling. This residence extended to two years. From this peril, &c., he was delivered by the hand of the Lord. After this, he was again a prisoner in Rome, and it is to this period the text clearly refers. It is evident, too, that he now felt that his work was finished, and his end near.

Nero was at this time emperor of Rome; and severe persecution bad been endured by the Christian Church in that city. Many had, doubtless, been put to death. So terror-stricken were the other Christians, that Paul had to record his standing alone before the imperial tribunal; 2Ti_4:16. Yet then he realized the presence of his unchanging Lord, &c.; 2Ti_4:17.

Observe, in the text,

I. Paul’s triumphant retrospect.

II. His present experience.

III. His future anticipation.

I. Paul’s triumphant retrospect.

He magnanimously affirms three things. Observe,

1. His victorious warfare.

"I have fought," &c. He had been a soldier under Christ. He had been a general under the great Captain. His warfare he calls "a good fight."

(1.) As a fight against evil. The moral evil of sin, and its attendant miseries and woes.

(2.) As a fight with hallowed weapons. The sword, the shield, &c.; but see, they are all spiritual. "The weapons of our warfare," &c. No instrument of pain, or misery, or death.

(3.) As a fight for a good object. The rights of Jesus, and the well-being of men. For truth, righteousness, benevolence, &c. Present and eternal salvation of the human race.

(4.) As a fight under a good Captain, the

Lord Jesus Christ. He is so designated: Heb_2:10.

Now, this fight Paul had fought. He had begun’97he had entered on the service’97he had never yielded’97never given it up. Had won many battles, &c. Had trophies in every part of the then known world. His campaign and service were now ending. He affirms,

2. That he had won the race.

"Finished his course." Here is a reference to the Olympic racer, and the attainment of the goal, &c. Well Paul had finished, &c. He had obeyed all the laws of the course’97he had kept in it’97he had agonized’97he now saw the goal before him. It had been a course of toil, suffering, and self-denial; but had been constant and persevering.

He affirms,

3. His fidelity to the solemn trust the Lord Jesus had reposed on him.

"I have kept the faith." He had once labored to destroy it’97had been converted to it’97had received it as an apostle, from Christ. To protect, guard, and vindicate it; and he had kept it: inviolably, faithfully. He had kept it pure, entire, prominent’97to the end.

Notice,

II. His present experience.

"I am now ready to be offered up." How important to be ready for death! &c. He represents himself as a sacrifice’97a sacrifice for the gospel and Christ’s sake. He was awaiting the order; and had nothing to do, but to go to the scaffold, &c. Now his readiness consisted,

1. In an assurance of his conversion and acceptance with Christ.

No readiness without these. Paul knew this’97never doubted it. "I know whom I have believed," &c. This readiness consisted,

2. In having done his Lord’s work.

He had been Christ’s servant, and Christ had used him for his own will; and in his cause for many years. His work now was finished; and therefore he was ready. He could say’97as the Saviour had done’97"I have finished the work," &c. The Christian’s life is one of holy activity’97serving God and our generation. Paul had done both. This readiness consisted,

3. In being meet for heaven. Readiness for death and meetness for heaven, must be identical. Paul had it. It consisted in a heart in conformity with the will of God’97that is, holiness’97likeness to the Lord. Paul had been fully given up to Christ. He had lived, preached, and given up all for Christ. He was, therefore, ready to die, and be with Christ, which would be infinitely better. Paul’s readiness was entirely owing to the rich grace of God, as the original cause, and as the sustaining principle of religion within the soul.

Observe,

III. His future anticipation.

"Henceforth there is laid up for me," &c.

1. He anticipated a crown.

Not that he had ever merited one; that he had fulfilled the gracious commands of his Lord, who had, in rich love, promised one. The Cross and Crown were connected with his Master, so with his followers. "If we suffer," &c.

Now this crown was symbolical of dignity, favor, riches, dominion. He had been a prince, and he was now coming to his kingdom.

2. This crown was one of righteousness. Given in virtue of the righteous life and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ’97the purchase of his precious blood. Given to the righteous. Not to hereditary princes’97not to the ambitious and the vile, but the righteous, &c. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom," &c. Not a crown, or wreath of olive, or laurel, but of righteousness.

3. He expected Christ to bestow it.

"Which the Lord the righteous Judge," &c. He had preached Christ as the great Judge of all, to the Athenians: Act_17:31. Christ had said he would confess his disciples. He had said, "I give unto you a kingdom," &c. He had solemnly prayed that they might be with him, &c. Now Paul knew all this, and believed it, and hoped for it.

4. He expected the crown in the day of Christ’s appearing.

He anticipated heaven immediately after death; but the final confession and reward he expected at the last day’97the day of the Lord. Of his second advent, in power and glory. See Christ’s own words: Mat_25:31, &c.

5. He anticipated that others would share with him in his glory.

"Not to me only," &c. No narrow limitarian was Paul’97no monopolist of the word of life. No believer would delight in enjoying felicity alone. The more, the happier and better, &c. Yet only one class would share’97"Who love his appearing." Believe in it. Prepare for it. Expect it. Desire it.

Such are the precious parts of this important dying testimony, for Christ. He soon realized it. He was summoned to his destiny’97became a spectacle to the world; and was beheaded for the word and testimony of the Lord.

Learn,’97

1. How illustrious the history of Paul.

2. How useful, and like his master.

3. How triumphant his death.

4. How worthy of emulation, &c. Let us seek to be of the number who love Christ’s appearing.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS