Receive a crown of righteousness: (4:8): Instead of being depressed, Paul is only the more confident. The greater the trial, the clearer the promise shines. The crown is a reward or prize which can described in various ways as: Life (Rev.2:10), Rejoicing (1 Thess.2:19), Glory (1 Pet .5:4). “And not only to me but all those who had longed for His appearing.” Paul’s thought is not of himself alone, but of all the redeemed. Paul knew that only Jesus Christ is the righteous judge. 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 they failed to release him. Now he is going to face his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the final judge who will not fail him but reward him. It was his long wish. When you are ready to face the Lord, you need not fear the judgment of men.
This is a joyful message to all the believers and warning to those who are living in sins. As believers although we are not the 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. Are we willing to face Him joyfully without any shame?
Be diligent and faithful: (4:9,12-13): After Paul’s personal testimony, Paul was not sure that how many days he would be in prison. But his death was certain in the hands of Nero. Before his death, he wanted to see Timothy. Tychicus would take Timothy’s place in Ephesus (2 Tim.4:12). Paul wanted his spiritual dear son with him during the end of his life. It is certainly a great opportunity to stay by the side during the saint’s death. He wanted to Timothy to hurry because the winter was falling and ships would not sail. It was dangerous for the ships to sail. If Timothy waited too long, he would miss the opportunity to be with Paul and then it would be too late. Further Paul says bring the cloak that he left with Carpus at Troas. When Paul was arrested for the second time, he was forfeited to carry anything. He left all his belongings with Carpus. The winter was falling and he needed something to keep him warm. He was already quite an old man. The cloak left in Troas tells us that
- Paul left everything to serve the Lord. All he had was a just a cloak and few books.
- He was almost forgotten by his friends that there was no one to provide him a cloak.
- Paul never cared for himself what to wear.
- Paul was an ordinary man with ordinary needs.
“Oh, what a small deal of household stuff had this great apostle, saith Erasmus; a cloak to keep off the rain and winter chill, and a few books and writings.” (Trapp). Even at the point of death, he wanted to read Scriptures (perhaps OT scriptures, which were in parchments). Parchments were the books made from the skins of animals.
John Stott, the principle author of Lausanne Covenant, author of more than 50 books, chaplain to queen Elizabeth-II, an outstanding man of God, lived in a one-room house. All that he had was just a table, 2-chairs, and few books in the shelf. He lived a sacrificial life, with his powerful preaching he led many to Christ in third world countries and Europe. It is time we Christians imitate such great leaders.
Paul’s friends and enemies:
- Crescens: He is mentioned in (2 Tim.4:10). He was one of the 70-disciples of apostle Paul exercised the ministry in Galatia.
2. Titus: Titus was a companion of Paul and early Christian missionary. Paul wrote a letter to Titus. Paul mentioned him in many of his letters. He was a Gentile, converted to Christianity by Paul. He was ordained as a Bishop of the island of Crete in Greece. Titus also brought fundraising letter from Paul to Corinth to collect the fund for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Titus appointed presbyters (elders) in every city and remained there in Crete until his old age. He was believed to have died in the city of Candia (modern Heraklion the 4th biggest city in Greece.) Titus also went to Dalmatia to preach the Gospel where Paul also preached once.
3. Luke: Luke was a physician from Antioch, Syria and author of Gospel of Luke and Acts of Apostles in NT. He was a companion of the Apostle Paul accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys. Paul referred him in many of his letters. It is believed that Paul dictated the 2nd letter of Timothy to Luke. Luke must have appreciated Paul’s reference to gangrene (2:17). Luke remained as a bachelor and served the Lord without any distraction. He died at the age of 84 years in Boeotia. Moved by the Holy Spirit, Luke composed all of the Gospel in the distrcts around Achaia.