Author: missionspaul

So purposely I am reading to the end of this chapter.

It is all of the people that surround Paul’s life.

“Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has 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 helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.” (2 Timothy 4 v 9-22)

You will lose some people
Demas couldn’t cope any longer and wanted out so he left. Crescens and Titus left for their own reasons. Paul didn’t ask them to go, but they went. Paul sent Tychicus to preach. Onesiphorus had probably died as Paul greeted his household. Erastus had an important job in the city of Ephesus (Romans 16:23) so didn’t go into Paul’s next chapter of his life. Not everyone gets healed and Trophimus had stay behind.

You will keep some people
Luke was the writer, he’d seen it all, a fellow journeyman. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and others who are nameless, who knows who these are, except they were friends. Your friends may not be well-known but they can be highly valuable.

You will gain people
Mark returned after that earlier fall-out.

You will be hurt by people
Alexander is handed over to God, and Paul makes sure he doesn’t give a good reference.

You will remember people
Paul probably stayed at the house of Carpus, he had left his winter coat there and his books. He greets the great couple, Priscilla and Acquila.

People and the greatest of all is in the last verse, The Lord. He is with you!!

Paul’s final words are not that of a defeated man. On the contrary, he has run the race, he has fought the fight and he has kept the faith. This is not a tragic end to someone who has been ‘poured out’ but rather he believes in what looks like a ceremony to come.

“Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4 v 8)

I just saw this phrase at a podium in the U.S: May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Saviour. How wonderful it is to see that on the BBC News.

When we die and meet Jesus we will be given the victor’s crown given to winners at athletic competitions.

• It’s a reward for faithfulness, not perfection. The righteousness isn’t his own moral achievement, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.
• It’s awarded by the righteous Judge. God’sevaluation is based on truth, not appearances or politics.
• It’s promised for that day. The day of Christ’s return and final judgment.
• The promise to all. The crown of righteousness isn’t reserved for apostles or super-saints. It’s available to every believer who lives with eager anticipation of Christ’s return.

Every day we see a follower of Jesus go on that amazing journey to Jesus. Every time it teaches us to live with the healthy balance between engaging fully in this life while keeping our ultimate hope fixed on the next. We work diligently, love deeply, and serve faithfully, but we hold all earthly things lightly, knowing our true citizenship is in heaven.

As we face our own challenges, losses, and even our own mortality, we can do so with Paul’s confidence. The race we’re running has a finish line, and the Judge waiting there is both righteous and gracious.

May we live today worthy of that eternal reward.

One of the sports headlines for yesterday was this: “Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is biggest fight in boxing and must happen, says promoter Eddie Hearn”

Eddie Hearn said, “I don’t really have many regrets but I think we would always kick ourselves if we never saw that fight. For me, it’s a must. Tell me a bigger fight in boxing?” – Hearn says AJ is “fired up” and “has a lot to give”.

Big claims right there!

Boxing and humility don’t really go together do they?

Well let us look at a very humble statement in this next verse.

Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4 v 7)

The “good fight” isn’t about winning arguments or defeating enemies, but about battling against discouragement, temptation, and the urge to quit when the way grows difficult. It’s the daily choice to love when it’s hard, to serve when it’s costly, to hope when circumstances suggest despair.

“I have engaged in conflict chained to this Roman soldier. I have never quit. I have never slackened in my commitment to Christ. I have journeyed far and wide to tell others of Him.
I know what it is to conquer against the odds. I have stayed the course.” That’s what Paul had done.

I had coffee this week with a man who is facing his biggest fight ever regarding his health. He is having to lean in to God more than he has ever done. The battle is raging for him.

What are you facing today? The biggest fight ever? Who will win?

Then Paul switches to that of a runner.

Another sports headline at the same time said this, “Keely Hodgkinson could end her career as one of the greatest athletes of all time” Sebastian Coe has predicted on the eve of the world championships in Tokyo.

We understand these images as did Paul when it comes to the Christian fight and the race.

Paul kept the faith, not merely intellectual belief but active trust in God’s goodness even when imprisoned, abandoned by friends, and facing death

Today, we’re still in our own race, fighting our own good fight. The question isn’t whether we’ll face difficulties, but whether we’ll meet them with the same steady resolve Paul demonstrated.

What fight is God calling you to today? What step in the race lies before you?

Some days are just overwhelming aren’t they? Paul is pouring out his heart to his spiritual son. He knows more than anyone what it is to be beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned and yet always focused on the mission. He is not writing theory but from his own experience.

“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.” (2 Timothy 4 v 5-6)

Effective ministry demands mental and emotional stability. We must maintain perspective when circumstances seem to overwhelm us. Alongside that we must continue to evangelise even when going through tough times. There is no time to back down but we must, with perseverance, continue to be faithful to the tasks God has set before us, especially during the tough time.

This is why Paul writes, speaking from his own experience of his life, for him it has been like a drink being poured out. This is wholehearted devotion.

Today your life with God will cost you, it will ask you not to hold anything back and most importantly it will be about God being glorified even during the pain and death. I went to sleep last night hearing of the death of Charlie Kirk in Utah, USA. He discharged all the duties and he absolutely poured out his life. Today, all around the world, others will follow. They follow Paul who knew where he was going. He faces death with remarkable peace. He’s not in denial about his circumstances, nor is he bitter about his suffering. Instead, he demonstrates the confidence that comes from a life well-lived in service to Christ. Paul’s not being morbid. No, he is finishing well because he lived well. He has been focused, faithful, and fully surrendered to God’s purposes.

Paul’s example inspires us to live with intentionality, share the gospel boldly, and pour out our lives as offerings to the One who gave everything for us and so does the life of Charlie Kirk.

We are now drawing to the final part of Paul’s letter to Timothy. It has to be the most sobering and urgent of messages not only for his spiritual son but for us here in our generation.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4 v 1-4)

Against this eternal backdrop of the second coming of Christ and the final judgment, Paul brings charges to Timothy. It is a charge to all Church leaders today.

“Preach the word”  – If you want to be known as faithful in ministry, then the central point of your life is this: the proclamation of God’s revealed truth. Not human wisdom, not popular philosophies, not even well-meaning moral advice, but “the word.”

“Be prepared in season and out of season” – You have to be ready no matter what circumstances are taking place, you have to turn up and deliver God’s message, whether people are receptive or not.

“Correct, rebuke and encourage” – Ministry requires both the courage to confront error and the compassion to comfort the hurting.

“With great patience and careful instruction” – The manner matters as much as the message.

Here’s the big question: Why?

There will come a time and it is now:-

• When people will not want to hear what they need.
• When people will shop around to find teaching to validate their behaviour.
• When people will choose to avoid anything that challenges or convicts sin.

There is still only one anchor, it always has been so, the eternal Word of God and our courage to live in the certain hope of Christ’s appearing.

It seems that here we are in 2025 and we are reading instructions dated 2,000 years ago and yet they are so relevant to us. How much we need to take heed of what Paul says to Timothy.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3 v 14-17)

Timothy is urged to hold fast to what he has learned, not because it’s trendy or popular, but because of its source and his own experience of its truth.

Notice Paul’s emphasis on relationship: “you know those from whom you learned it.” Faith isn’t just about abstract doctrine; it’s rooted in the testimony of trustworthy people. For Timothy, this included his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5), as well as Paul himself.

Who did you learn the Bible from? I heard someone declare that they love people more than they care about what the Bible says. Who said it? A preacher! This is the threat to us today. It was the same for Timothy’s generation. Hold on and don’t change what you have learnt was the instruction from Paul.

The Greek word literally means “breathed out by God.” It’s not that human authors were passive instruments, but that God’s Spirit worked through them so completely that the result is both fully human and fully divine in origin.

The word “all” is emphatic, not just some portions, not just the parts that seem immediately relevant or palatable, but all of Scripture carries this divine authority. This includes difficult passages, historical narratives, poetic books, and prophetic literature.

Paul outlines four key ways Scripture serves believers:

Teaching : It establishes the doctrinal framework for faith.

Rebuking: It confronts us with truth that may be uncomfortable but necessary.

Correcting Scripture helps realign our thinking and behaviour with God’s standards.

Training in righteousness: Like a coach training an athlete, Scripture develops spiritual maturity over time.

Scripture doesn’t just give us information; it transforms us into people capable of representing God effectively in the world.

There’s no area of Christian service or moral living for which Scripture fails to provide adequate preparation. This doesn’t mean it gives specific instructions for every situation, but it provides the principles, wisdom, and spiritual formation needed to navigate any challenge faithfully.

Last evening, the CEO of Release International and a good friend, Paul Robinson, was interviewed by Canon J John. It is a most moving interview and everyone should watch it. The quote in the title above was from Rose who spoke to Paul as she relived being set on fire simply because she was a Christian. You can access the video here:

http://bit.ly/4p7lKK3

There are many Rose’s today and they bring huge challenge and encouragement to us all. The Apostle Paul of course knew all about persecution. He reminds his young protégé that following Christ isn’t a path of ease, but one marked by persecution and hardship. Yet within this sobering reality lies profound encouragement.

“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3 v 10-13)

Paul points to his own sufferings in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, places where he faced rejection, violence, and exile. But notice what he emphasises: “the Lord rescued me from all of them.” Not that the trials were avoided, but that God’s faithfulness carried him through each one.

The uncomfortable truth Paul shares is that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This isn’t pessimism; it’s preparation. When we encounter resistance for our faith, whether subtle mockery, professional challenges, or family tensions, we’re not experiencing something unusual. We’re walking the same path every faithful believer has travelled.

Meanwhile, Paul warns that “evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse.” The contrast is stark: while the world grows darker, believers are called to shine brighter, holding fast to truth even when it costs us.

The key is found in verse 10: “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance.” Paul lived what he preached. His words carried weight because his life backed them up.

Today, let’s ask ourselves: Are we prepared to see the world through the perspective of Rose? Are we living with such authenticity that others can see Christ’s character reflected in our daily choices?

What will you be remembered for?

Here’s 2 people that are remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Paul has just written telling us to have nothing to do with people who have a form of godliness but deny its power.

“They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.” (2 Timothy 3 v 6-9)

These 2 men opposed Moses according to Paul. However, you will never find their names in the Old Testament, They are just not there, I checked.
These two are traditionally identified as the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. According to Exodus 7-8, when Moses and Aaron performed miracles before Pharaoh – like turning Aaron’s staff into a serpent and turning water into blood – Pharaoh’s magicians were able to duplicate some of these signs through their own arts.

In later Jewish literature, particularly in works like the Targums and various midrash texts, these magicians were given the names Jannes and Jambres. They became symbolic figures representing those who use supernatural powers to oppose God’s will and deceive people.

The apostle Paul uses them as a comparison point, suggesting that just as these ancient magicians opposed Moses, certain people in Timothy’s time would similarly oppose the truth with their own form of deceptive religion or false teaching. Paul assures Timothy that these “Jannes and Jambres” people will not get very far. We shouldn’t be dismayed when false teachers and opponents to our message seem successful initially. For Timothy’s ministry context, this meant he could faithfully preach and teach without being paralysed by the opposition he faced. He is encouraged to hold on to patience, persistence, and confidence that truth will ultimately prevail, even when circumstances seem to favour those who oppose it.

Paul will say it doesn’t.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3 v 1-5)

Paul lists 19 characteristics that will define people as the world progresses and as we approach the last days

This isn’t a random list – it’s a carefully constructed portrait of humanity when it abandons godly principles. Notice how it begins and ends with misplaced love: loving self and pleasure instead of God.

Perhaps most striking is Paul’s final observation: these people will have “a form of godliness but denying its power.” This describes religious activity without genuine transformation – going through the motions while remaining unchanged at heart.

Paul’s purpose isn’t to create fear but to equip Timothy (and us) with discernment. By recognising these patterns, believers can avoid being influenced by such people and instead pursue authentic faith that produces genuine character change.

The passage serves as both a warning and a mirror, challenging us to examine our own hearts and ensure we’re not displaying these very characteristics ourselves. In times when moral boundaries seem increasingly blurred, Paul’s words remind us of the importance of anchoring our lives in timeless biblical principles rather than cultural trends.

The world isn’t getting better morally so the responsibility for sharing the gospel is even more important.

Some people are known for being quarrelsome aren’t they? We all end up at some point in the middle of an argument and hopefully it isn’t too heated. But how should we be? Paul pours out his heart to his spiritual son. He has been in a few arguments himself. He’s older and wiser now. Here’s what he says:

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2 v 22-26)

Paul says:

• It’s not about who wins arguments but who can gently lead people to a place where their hearts can be transformed.
• Flee (many youthful things but perhaps especially the need to be right), pursue, avoid (don’t have anything to do) and gently instruct/teach are the key discipleship traits Paul has learnt.
• Wisdom is needed when to engage and when to step back. Sometimes we have to flee and sometimes pursue etc.
• There are some things we cannot do and have to leave it to God – “in the hope that God will grant them repentance.” Changing hearts is God’s work, not ours.
• Our role is to create space for His Spirit to work through our kindness and patience.
• When we argue to win rather than to love, we often harden the very hearts we hope to reach.

Today if you find yourself in an argument then pursue righteousness with a gentle spirit and ask for wisdom when to speak and when to listen deomosntrating love to the person opposing you.