Scripture Text (NRSV)
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
4:6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the
time of my departure has come.
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith.
4:8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on
that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his
appearing.
4:16 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all
deserted me. May it not be counted against them!
4:17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through
me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might
hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save
me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
Comments:
Take note of Harry Chapin quote at the end of "Previous Discussion"
from 1998. It sounds much like Paul, but in an entirely different
viewpoint.
"fought your battles, chased your dreams, lived your day" is the key.
Contrast with Luke's humility passage. It seems like Paul finds "his
battles, his dreams" in following Christ.
I am amazed how the more we give ourselves to God (i.e. the more we
lose ourselves), the greater we become, the more truely "ourselves" we
become.
And you just can't think about that, you have to experience it.
JLM in Detroit
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith.
4:8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day...
sometimes i think we let paul off the hook too easy when passages like
this appear. those words sound an awful lot like the words from the
pharisee in luke's passage for today. several instances record paul's
list of things he has done for his faith. i'm not saying paul wasn't
humbled in/by/through his journey, but he boarders this issue several
times for me when he lays it on like this. so it goes for a first
reading on a monday morning. bt in dc
I like the verse, 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the
Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. This
acknowledges that he did not do all of this by himself. Perhaps this
could be a pep talk to himself in the face of death. Monday morning.
Nancy-Wi
I want to defend Paul here (even though I am not a Paul fan). It is
not necessarily bad to be proud of what we do. It is good to take
pride in our work. I don't know if you could ever call Paul humble,
but he was aware of his failings and shortcomings. I think a person
can be proud and humble at the same time. There is good pride and bad
pride. The problem with the Pharisee is that he felt superior to
others and credited himself only for his accomplishments.
My question about this passage is; what did Paul mean when he said
"God will save me from every evil attack"? The passage sounds like he
assumes that he is about to die, perhaps be martyred. Was he expecting
God to prevent this from happening? Or was the salvation on a more
spiritual level? Evil attacks are still on our minds in New York City.
I have preached that God does not necessarily save us from physical
death, but we can know that we will be with God no matter what.
DGinNYC
I will defend Paul....in other places, he talks about "boasting in the
Lord" or some such thing...Paul is not boasting about "himself"...but
has placed all he does and is...in the framework as being the
fulfilling of God's plan for him.....
Paul is greatly misunderstood. We continue to try to evaluate his
statements from the reference to our culture....and as long as we do
that, we will see him as arrogant, a woman hater, and a slavery
advocate. But as soon as we evaluate what he said and did from the
context of the culture in which he lived..well....in my mind he was
the greatest revoluationary and supporter of the underdog since Jesus
Christ. Yes...he is the ultimate in humility...for all that he did and
said was a result not of him but of the God who dwelt within him. How
much more humble can a person be?
Jude in Wash
In the distant past when I was young and knew everything. I didn't
like the Apostle Paul. People who think they know everything are
difficult for those of us who do. Then one night in prayer the Lord
said, "Apologize to my servant Paul." I pointed out that he had been
dead for nearly 2000 years. God replied, "You have grieved his
spirit." Oh, I apologized to my brother Paul. I have seen his letter
differently ever since. Sue in Cuba Ks
I am a biased Paul fan! Read through all of his letters, try to
understand the historical context and occassion for each letter and
perhaps you might come to see his passion, brilliance, and yes, even
his somewhat boastfulness.
Philippians is my favorite. As Paul comes to the end of his life he
writes this wonderful letter that basically has the theme: "Life with
Christ is a life of joy." Even in everything that he's been through he
understands that he is IN Christ and there is nothing that can defeat
him. Read Romans 8 to gain insight into whether he thinks that God
will protect him from everything.
My understanding of the Lord "rescuing" is that no matter what
happens, the Lord will bring you through it...not necessarily prevent
it, but God's in the business of resurrection... i.e. bringing life
out of death, and so Paul can say: "Even though they meant it for
evil, God meant it for good."
Of all of the people in the scriptures, Paul would be the one that I'd
want to sit down and talk with (well, when Jesus was busy anyway)
John near Pitts.
I am struck by verse 7 where the writer says "I have fought the good
fight...kept the faith." The interesting thing to me is that nowadays
if someone talks about keeping the faith it often means keeping it
safe from newfangled ideas or "corruption". But for the early
Christians keeping the faith was a radical idea, a complete change.
I am looking at Reformation Sunday ideas today, trying to find the
tension between keeping the faith and Joel's old and young having
dreams and visions. It seems to me that we are always called to be
reforming or, as Bishop Spong points out, the church will die. On the
other hand, sometimes I think that there is much in the church which
NEEDS to die so that rebirth/resurrection can take place.
Gord in Northwestern Ontario
Just a gentle observation. It seems the conversation has turned from
the text to the author (Paul). Shouldn't the focus be on the text and
its message for the church? SELoftis in North Carolina
SELoftis in North Carolina
I agree that the text is more helpful for me to discuss, especially
the closer we get to the weekend...
I am saving my Luke text sermon for a community wide Thanksgiving
Service... I call it "The Peril of Thanksgiving"...
so I'm looking at the Timothy text, the first half seems an easier
text to preach than the second half. Although, I'm not up on what the
"libation" is all about... any help there would be appreciated?...
Sometimes, as here, it seems that Paul is a little too full of
himself... reminds me of some of John W's writings... I prefer Peter's
willingness to "say what comes to mind" no matter what the
situation...
I guess I've done that here too! ;?)
Blessings and enjoying the dialogue,
pulpitt in ND
A few thoughts . . .
It seems a fruitful comparison can be made between the "prayers of two
Pharisees" (remember Paul's background). The one in Luke and the one
by Paul sound similar. What, indeed, makes them different? Mainly,
there is a different spirit in Paul's prayer than the one in Jesus'
story.
"Libation" means "drink offering"--poured out on the altar or on the
ground as a sign of devotion. I have thought these words from Paul
would fit well with the story of Jesus' anointings in the gospels, one
with costly tears and the other with costly ointment.
Paul is indeed facing the end of his days. He knows the time is short,
the game is up. What does he have to draw on for hope in such an hour?
Keep in mind Paul is also in prison; his young mentor is facing strong
challenges; and the very gospel for which Paul labored seems to be
facing either corruption or destruction. What is he to do--if giving
up to hopeless despair is not an option? He "pours himself out"--into
the life of this protege, Timothy. Paul creatively and courageously
acts, as did the prophets, to pass on the torch of faith. (Think of
the Olympic runners and the "eternal flame" here, especially in
connection with Paul's Olympic language of the laurel wreath "crown"
given to the race winners.) No doubt, people in our congregations are
facing various "ends" in their lives, if not of life itself. What hope
do we preach to them? Or to those who have yet to face "the end"?
One more approach (which I am thinking of using, since I've been
holding on to it for a few weeks now and the Timothy readings are
done) is to reflect on just who this character is that is writing
here, beyond "award-winning apostle." This Paul was once "Saul"--the
persecutor and accuser of Christians. Not his whole life was he in the
"good fight"--he was once the enemy! Not his whole life has been spent
"running the race"--he was once on the wrong track! Not his whole life
has he "kept the faith"--he once tried to wipe out what he is now in
chains for! Think of the reversals--then give credit to the grace of
God in Christ at work through the Spirit's power to make us into "new
creatures." Paul is not asking for the glory here--it is the Lord he
wants to give the credit to.
Blessings, TK in OK
Pulpitt in ND
I'm looking at this text in light of the Joel passage. Here is my
connection: Paul talks about being "poured out," as in completely
spent. I imagine, as M Soards notes, that Paul is aware of his coming
death. His struggle seems to be with finding some sense of hope in the
face of his end. Soards notest hat Paul is all alone at this time. It
seems logical that some sense of depression, angst, saddness, etc may
be at play. I can imagine the reflective question on Paul's mind to
sound something like, "Is this what it all comes down to? My death?"
By vs 16-18 Paul begins to see that God is with him in all of this.
The coming doom (execution) is not to be dreaded. Although there is
much to do, much has been accomplished. Now the connection to Joel.
After the horrors of an infestation of locusts, Joel notes that God
will "turn the tide." Several commentaries point out that this passage
is about reversals. THe "Day of the Lord" once thought to be great is
to be dreaded, but will eventually be a time of great renewal. Those
who lost dreams will soon dream again. The young will take up the
banner of proclamation. Deliverance is coming. As with Paul's ultimate
deliverance from the fear of death and loneliness, Judah (in Joel)
will experience deliverance by God's hands. Psalm 65 offers a great
song of joy for God's providential care and His deliverance of the
people. With our people constantly looking over thier shoulders these
days, a word of hope is well timed, here. (This may be a stretch but I
think it works.)
I have found the "New Interpreter's Bible Commentary" from Cokesbury/Abingdon
most helpful.
Thanks everyone, for the great forum. As a moderate Southern Baptist,
I wish more of my fellow baptists would use this forum.
SELoftis in North Carolina
Paul examines his life in relation to the life of Jesus. The
similarities are there and serve as a testimony of a life well lived
to the glory of God. This sort of reflection we all need to do more
often. Paul's hope, as I see it, was to leave behind a legacy of a
life lived to the end in Christ.
The same is true in the passge from Luke 18, the publican's prayer is
in relation to God and not other sinners as the Pharsee proclaims.
How we measure is important, "with the measure you use, it will be
measured to you." The plumb line is Jesus, this passage is a reminder
to us all. KB in ks
I think some of the best words here will be overlooked and passed by.
"May it not be counted against them." Once a younger brasher Paul had
broken fellowship with a young man because he turned back from a
mission trip when the going got tough. This older gentler Paul
recognizes it is hard and some fail. Even Paul would be weak, but
found in that an opportunity for Christ's strength to be made
manifest. When humans failed him, Christ stood by him, and would to
the end. "Put not your trust in princes, or the sons of men(ps.146).
It is better to trust God than to put confidence in men(Ps.118)."
I'm thinking of tying this to the gospel text. But it is still early.
tom in TN(USA)
I am preaching about the way a mature Christian faces the end of his
life. He is realistic - knows that the end is near. He faces his past
with peace - forgiving those who disappointed him, satisfied as he
looks back, and grateful to God And he looks to the future with trust
- knowing that he will be protected and rewarded. It is a good example
to all of us - especially during these times. Margot
To Pulpitt in ND,
A "libation" is a drink offering talked about in Levitical Law. Often
the drink offering of wine would be poured out on a burning offering -
thus becoming a vapor or steam, or poured into a wheat or flour type
of offering mixing into a pancake tpe substance.
Paul's spilled blood - the emptying of his life in so many ways - seen
here as a sacrificial offering to God.
Pastor Binny
"Fought the Good fight" is not about how well Paul did the fighting.
It is his dedication to the Faith or Gospel that is good.
KVK quote (something like): "I would rather fail in cause that will
ultimately succeed than succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail."
Paul is approaching the end of his life. He evaluates it. He doesn't
get hung up in his mistakes, for he made many. He doesn't look to his
Performance, whether good or bad, but rather looks to his Purpose
which God has set before him and is therefore good.
He kept the faith, purpose, goal in mind. He will die on the
battlefield, we all do. But he dies hoping, praying, writing, and
fighting for the Revolutionary Faith (thanks for the reminder Gord).
I was dis-heartened by the some of the recent media coverage of the
suicide terrorists at WTC and in Palestine. The general commentary
implied amazement that some young people would give their lives for
their beliefs when they had "so much to live for."
Our sadness is that they killed others in their form of suicide, not
that they were willing to die for their cause. Great difference
between the Monk burning themselves in Vietnam to someone burning
others in the process. The terrorist's purpose is hatred, discord,
terror, death. The monk's death was for peace and life.
We face this battle all the time when we, hopefully led by God's
spirit, puts us in a position of speaking for an unpopular cause. How
many of us like to be laughed at by others? Yet Paul is thankful that
he stayed close to the Purpose set before him.
JLM in Detroit
A connection with the gospel reading would be to focus on the "poured
out as a libation" part. Both the repentant tax collector and the
aging apostle know what it is like to be "broken and spilled out."
No matter how we get there in our lives, by whatever journey, that
place of "kenosis"--emptying--is the place of true peace.
My title is "Poured Out . . . Filled Up"--as for the "filled up" part,
there is a richness to Jesus' observation that the humbled one "went
home justified" (put right); and Paul's writing lets us know he was
filled with many things: forgiveness ("may it not be counted against
them"), satisfaction ("finshed the course, fought the good fight, kept
the faith"), simplicity (focused on basic things--a winter coat, books
and parchments, the company of trusted friends), and a profound sense
of trust through it all.
I hope to challenge folks to consider just what they are pouring out
their lives for, and whether or not that truly fills them with
God-things.
I still wonder about connections with the "drink offering" poured out
on the altar with the burning sacrifice and what it means for our
lives to be truly offered to God. It seems some wonderful links might
be drawn between the sudden flare of wine poured over the offering and
our lives coming alive as they are offered "in union with Christ's
offering for us" (to quote the communion liturgy). Any thoughts at
this late hour would be appreciated.
TK in OK
Previous
-
One would have to go through a lot to be able to say verse 4:14 with a
humble heart, believe it, and not be too much like the pharasee. wdp
One of the persons who I hope my faith is patterned was a catholic lay
woman. She became catholic late in life because her protestant
congregation had a huge congregational conflict. She joined the
catholic parish because a friend invited her. Although she practiced
catholicism, I think she remained protestant in her heart. She was
often chided by her priest pastor for her participation in protestant
activities, but not too harshly, for her active care of others in the
parish. She fed, clothe and gave to many hurting people where she
attended church. Often, she assisted the nuns in their direction of
the children in their schools. She chose to be my "God mother",
because she loved my parents. They accepted her decision. She
influenced me, not through right dogmas, but through her life of
service. I do believe God gave her to me for a purpose in preparing me
for ministry. When ever I read this passage from 2 Timothy, I think of
her. Seh was always ready for God to take her home to heaven. And when
her death didn't come, she would ask God if there was someplace else
she could serve. Verse 7, is what she would be saying. But then, when
she would continue to live, she would ask God to send her somewhere
else to serve. God bless you Mrs Hamilton. Thank you for your witness!
Shalom
Pasthersyl
What does it mean to you "that the message might be fully proclaimed"?
How do we prclaim the message? And do we proclaim it partially? Paul
was looking back on his life encouraging us to give it our all as he
had done. Paul has no regrets though he is in prison for his faith.
This is stewardship time for our congregation and I will attempt to
encourage our people to use their tithes and pledges to enable the
"message to be proclaimed fully".
Isn't the pattern Psalm-like? Reading this reminds me of the Psalms in
the ideas but also the literary structure.
Just an observation. I wonder if that would influence how we read the
passage.
Philip in PA
If you happen to have Harry Chapins' CD, which has his reflection
called "My Grandfather"...listen to it in connection with this
reading. It relates how his grandfather was ready for death and life
beyond death because he had lived his life according to his own
dreams, and not some one else's. He talks about "a good kind of tired"
and " a bad kind of tired", the former being how his grandfather felt,
and who could "sleep the sleep of the just". Mary
Mary, I wish I had the CD. Sounds like a great song. This text must
not be a popular one! My message this week will focus on looking back
and determining if we have lived the life God called us to live...
fighting the good fight. Right now we are trying to get people to
commit to serving on committees for next year and it is discouraging
that commitment to the local church has such a low priority. Will we
look back at the end of our life and be able to say, "I've fought the
good fight... I have kept the faith." Will we be able to look back on
our life and say, "yes, I was poured out as an offering for Christ."
There is a story in this week's Christian Century entitled "Doing
Sixty" and it has helped me to reflect by looking back on my life and
"looking in the rear view mirror" (sermon title). Enough said! There
just seemed to be a lot of room on this site! RevD
I found the CD and copied it down, mostly verbatum and used it in my
sermon. Here's that part of my message. Hope it helps.
Poet, philosopher. songwriter, singer Harry Chapin recalled a lesson
taught him by his 88 yo. grandfather just before his death. his
grandfather said: "There are 2 kinds of tired - good tired and bad
tired. Ironically, bad tired is how you feel after a day when you have
"won" succeeding in the day's tasks, but spent your efforts fighting
other people's battles, or satisfying other people's agendas, or
reaching for other people's dreams. When you are all done, there is
very little you in that victory, and when you hit the hay that night,
you toss and turn, and you don't settle easy. "Good tired, also
ironically, can be a day when you've won or lost, but you've fought
your battles, chased your dreams, lived your day. When you hit the
hay, you can sleep "the sleep of the just" and can say, 'Take me
away.' Harry, all of my life I have been a painter, and I've painted
and painted. I wish I'd been more successful, but I am good tired, and
they can take me away."
Looking back on his Grandfather's words, harry reflected, "If there is
a process that will allow us to live our days with that degree of
equanimity towards our death, that degree of peace, that degree of
non-fear, I want in."
Brian - NY
