Sunday Devotional: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

⁶ For I am myself already being poured out, and the time of my departure is imminent. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have completed the course, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all those who love His appearing.

This past Friday, the 2012 Olympic Games opened in London. It is with this display of athleticism and competing for prizes in mind that I selected this week’s devotion. While the context is very different, I think Paul chose his words to Timothy with both Jewish liturgy and ancient sports in mind.

Paul is near the end of his ministry, and, indeed his life. He is in prison, and he is very conscious of the fact that this will be his last imprisonment. It’s likely he’s in Rome, since that is where he was at the end of Acts, and where he is traditionally believed to have received his martyr’s reward. This letter to Timothy, therefore, presents Paul’s final exhortations and encouragements to his young protege and elder at the church in Ephesus.

In the preceding verses, Paul has warned Timothy to beware of false teachers that sneak into the church, leading people astray with false teaching cloaked in enticing words. It seems as if Paul is telling Timothy not to give up the battle for the hearts of God’s people, to disciple, shepherd, and protect them, especially since the days of Paul’s ministry are coming to an end. He’s being “poured out” in the sense of a sacrificial offering–reminiscent of Romans 12:1, where he told the Roman church to offer up their bodies as “living sacrifices,” since this is “reasonable” worship. Paul’s ministry has been one of constant worship, and he feels his sacrificial offering of his life in the service of Christ is now coming to an end.

He tells Timothy that he has “fought the fight,” “completed the course,” and “kept the faith.” Endurance and perseverance are key elements of any successful athletic competition. As we watch the various competitors give their all in their various sports over the coming weeks, we’ll see them exert themselves in order to achieve the prize. And even if they’re not in a medal position, they won’t give up, but will persist in order to cross the finish line, to say they completed the course, even if they didn’t win.

Paul has indeed completed the course of his ministry. He has fought the good fight–preaching the gospel and encouraging the saints despite the obstacles thrown in his way. And through it all, he has maintained his trust in Christ, and his dependence upon his grace to finish. This is not Paul boasting; this is Paul reassuring Timothy that the struggle is worth it in the end. Like Paul, Timothy should give his all for the sake of the gospel, endure the hardships and persecutions, and not give in.

The crown that awaits Paul, and Timothy, and all those who “love His appearing” (i.e., are eagerly anticipating the Lord’s return, not dreading it), is the victor’s crown. But unlike the Olympic gold, or the laurel wreath awarded to the ancient Olympians, the crown of righteousness is given to every believer. For these are the ones who, by the grace of God, ran the race and finished. They crossed the line with their faith battered, but secure. And unlike the Olympic prize, the crown of righteousness will never perish, and reminds us not of how good we are, but of how merciful is our great God and Saviour, through whom we are enabled to persist to the end.

Does your spiritual walk feel like you’re swimming against Michael Phelps? Do you sometimes despair of completing the course? I pray we can take courage from Paul’s words and example, and lean on the One who enables us to be victorious.

Have a great week!