Keeping the faith 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Paul’s charge to Timothy was the more urgent because he himself was facing death, as is clear in these verses.

Paul Looked around (vs6)

Paul realized that his time was short. He was on trial in Rome and had been through the first hearing (2 Tim 4:17). But Paul knew that the end was near. However, he did not tremble at the prospect of death! The two words “offered” and “departure” (2 Tim 4:6) tells us of his faith and confidence. Offered means “poured out on the alter as a drink-offering.” He used the same picture in Philippians 2:7-8. In effect Paul was saying, “Caesar is not going to kill me. I am going to give my life as a sacrifice to Jesus Christ. I have been a living sacrifice, serving him since the day I was saved. Now I will complete that sacrifice by laying down life for him.

Paul looked back (vs 7)

He summed up his life and ministry. Two of the images here are athletic: like a determined wrestler or boxer, he had fought a good fight; and, like a runner, he had finished his lifelong race victoriously. He had kept the rules and deserved a prize (see Acts 20:24; Phil 3:13-14). The third image is that of a steward who had faithfully guarded his boss’ deposit: “I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). Paul used this image often in his pastoral letters.
It is heartening to be able to look back and have no regrets. Paul was not always popular, nor was he usually comfortable; but he remained faithful. That is what really counted.

Paul looked ahead (vs 8)

A Greek or Roman athlete who was a winner was rewarded by the crowds and usually got a laurel wreath or a garland of oak leaves. The word for crown is Stephanos- the victors crown; we get our name Stephen from this word. (The kingly crown is diadema, from which we get diadem”) however, Paul would not be given a fading crown of leaves; his would be a crown of righteousness that would never fade.
Jesus Christ is the “righteous Judge” who always judges correctly. Paul’s Judges in Rome were not righteous. If they were, they would have released him. How many times Paul had been tried in one court after another, yet now he faced his last Judge- his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When you are ready to face the Lord, you need not fear the judgment of men.
The crown of righteousness is God’s reward for a faithful and righteous life; and our incentive for faithfulness and holiness is the promise of the Lord’s appearing and looked for it, he lived righteously and served faithfully. This is why Paul used the return of Jesus Christ as a basis for his admonitions in this chapter (2 Tim 4:1). We are not called to be apostles; yet we can win the same crown that Paul won. If we love Christ’s appearing. Live in obedience to His will, and do the work He has called us to do, we will be crowned.

Source: The bible exposition commentary. Warren W. Wiersbe