2 Timothy 4:6-8 - Homilies By T. Croskery

The nearness of the apostle's death, and his prospects in connection with it.

He urges Timothy to increased zeal on account of his own approaching departure.

I. THE IMMINENCE OF HIS DEATH . "For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is at hand."

1 . Mark the calmness with which the apostle contemplates a violent death. There is no tremor, or hurry, or impatience in his last days. The language is singularly composed. He knew that Nero would soon put an end to his life, for that monster of cruelty and crime was even then striking out wildly against the Christians. Nothing but an assured hope and a living faith could maintain the spirit in such trying circumstances.

2 . The apostle is not too preoccupied with his own approaching sufferings to forget the cause for which he is now about to surrender his life. He is now more urgent than ever in his instructions to Timothy.

II. THE HAPPY RETROSPECT OF A USEFUL LIFE . "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."

1 . The good fight ended.

2 . The race ended.

3 . The faith preserved.

III. THE BLESSED PROSPECTS IN STORE FOR HIM . "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved his appearing."

1 . The reward. "The crown of righteousness."

It was not a crown of ambition. It was not won by inflicting miseries on the human race.

2 . The certainty and manner of its bestowal.

(a) as matter of grace, for the Judge "awards" it of grace; and

(b) as matter of righteousness, for, as righteous Judge, he will not allow the works of believers to go unrewarded ( Revelation 14:13 ).

3 . The character of those receiving the reward. "Them that have loved his appearing."