Dying Words - 2 Timothy 3-4

 2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The above verse is a dying man’s wish for a young pastor.  Paul’s life is ending. He knows it.  Note what he says immediately following the above verse:

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV)

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Most of us will never get a last word before we die.   Seldom do we know that time frame.   We are most often taken suddenly and without knowledge or consciousness of a final word.    The New Testament writers seemed to have that grace from God.  Peter, John and James all had final words to us.   In the above passage Paul is writing to young Pastor Timothy.  He is telling him that his responsibility in life is to:

1. Be sober-minded.  It means to not be intoxicated with the things of this world, the anxiety’s of life, and/or the pleasures of this world.   Peter framed it as “girdling up the loins of your mind.”   We are to make sure our minds stay steadfast on what is important.   Being drunk with the world’s thoughts is NOT sober-minded. 

2. Endure suffering.   Paul has just told Timothy about his own suffering.  Note:

2 Timothy 3:11-12 (ESV)

my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Paul wants Timothy to both know about his own suffering and what Timothy is about to endure.  No one in the Christian faith is exempt from this.   

3.  He is to be an evangelist.   He is to be a teller of good news.  He is to bring great tidings of great joy.  Despite the suffering we are to shout from the roof-top the great news of Jesus’ death and resurrection.   

4. He is to fulfill his ministry.  Note what Vine states about this word “fulfill” - 

plērophoreō; to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: — most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.

That is making sure the job is done.  It is not 90% completion and I am good.   It is 100% done.   

These are Paul’s commands to Timothy.  He could say all this because that is how he lived his life.    Here is what he told Timothy in his first letter to the young preacher:

1 Timothy 1:16 (ESV)

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.