2 Timothy 4:6

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.

Commentators find a metaphor here, as of loosening the ropes of a tent when breaking camp, or a ship slipping off her moorings and heading for the open sea; but White declared that "There is no figure of speech here."[12] Paul used the same word again as a synonym for death (Philippians 1:21), also speaking of death as being "at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8), as gain (Philippians 1:21), as far better (Philippians 1:22), and as a falling asleep in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

I am already being offered ... "This is comparable to the libation of wine that was poured out beside the altar (Numbers 15:1-10) in the Jewish sacrifices."[13] The meaning is that Paul considered his coming death as the final event that would embellish and complete the marvelous life of suffering for the gospel which he had already lived. The libation poured out in the Jewish sacrifices was the final, crowning ceremony involved in the offering of the sacrifice. The same comparison is in Philippians 2:17; see the comment in my Commentary on Galatians, p. 190. However, as Lightfoot effectively proved, Paul never considered HIMSELF in any sense as a sacrifice to God, there being only one sacrifice involved in the redemption of men, namely, that of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The evident meaning of this verse is that Paul recognized that his earthly race was run and that the issue of his present imprisonment was certain to be his execution, an event he regarded as already in progress, with the date of it, of course, unknown to himself. His calling, a moment later, for Timothy to join him does not indicate any doubt on his part, but merely an uncertainty as to the time of it.

How inspiring, how noble, how unbelievably beautiful is the attitude of this grand apostle in the contemplation of death! As Lenski put it:

Socrates' attitude toward the cup of hemlock has been admired; it is the best that paganism can offer; but how pitifully empty it is when placed beside these few words of Christian triumph and Christian assurance which are looking up to the Lord ... with all who love his epiphany and await their crowning. Lord give me a death like this![14]

[12] Newport J. D. White, op. cit., p. 178.

[13] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 313.

[14] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 858.