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"The time of my departure is at hand..."

Text: 2 Timothy 4:6

TIME TO SAY FAREWELL

Paul had given many deeply significant words of advice to Timothy with reference to life and ministry. He attended to urgent and pressing concerns. His words offered profound insights that would help Timothy in his life and ministry. Soon it was time to write the last few words that reflected Paul’s awareness that soon his life on earth would come to an end.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
and the time of my departure is at hand.”
2 Timothy 4:6

1. Facing the end of life

a) Paul showed no fear of death.

b) His approach is reminiscent of the way the Lord Jesus approached death (John 13-14).

i) He openly wrote about his impending death.

ii) It was his special way of teaching Timothy that he too need not fear death.

2. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering”

a) A comparison made with a drink offering (a libation Cf. Numbers 15:5, 7, 10).

b) The drink offering was the last part of the offering made.

3. “The time of my departure is at hand”

a) When Paul wrote to the Philippians:-

i) He believed that he would be released (Philippians 1:19).

ii) Upon release he planned to visit the Philippians (Philippians 1:26).

b) In this last letter to Timothy:-

i) He wrote about his departure.

ii) This is a euphemism about his death.

c) His departure was at hand.

i) Paul knew that he would soon face death. He had been in and out of prison many times before. This would be his final one.

ii) Paul would be executed in Rome.

iii) He faced death with such a sense of confidence and peace within his heart.