Paul Never Met a Millennial
I was pretty upset with St Paul after reading this past Sunday’s Epistle (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18). At first blush, it looks like Paul has thrown in the towel — he has resigned himself to meeting his maker. He recounts his abandonment, “At my first hearing, no one came to my defense, but everyone deserted me. (v 16 EHV) I thought, “Where is Paul’s ‘baby boomer’ work ethic? The keep on truckin’ to the bitter end? The never say die philosophy?” Why give up, Paul? Doesn’t God make a way? You haven’t really finished all you can for God, have you?
There is an entirely different picture to see if you read the complete passage in context. The missing verses (v 9-15) read:
Make every effort to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this present world, has forsaken me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me for ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. You be on your guard against him also, because he vehemently opposed our message.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%204&version=EHV>
Paul is still working, still teaching, still preaching: still living. This epistle was written as instructions for Timothy.
For this reason I am reminding you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Instead, join with me in suffering for the gospel while relying on the power of God. He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201&version=EHV>
As Paul tells Timothy elsewhere in this letter, “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work.“
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%203&version=EHV>
One of those questions that will be answered in heaven: Did Paul know he was writing scripture? But, I digress… In God’s plan, these instructions are also given to the Body of Christ by His grace: grace, given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. Given to each generation, intended to be pass along to the next. Paul, while mindful of Timothy’s experience (or lack thereof) and our experience (or lack thereof) still works, teaches, preaches the Gospel of Jesus. We should do no less. Live the Gospel.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%204&version=EHV>
Trust the Promises
Steve Skiver