Worship In October: Paul’s Last Words to Timothy
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
These are perhaps the most familiar words of Second Timothy, the last letter attributed to St. Paul in the New Testament. He writes to the young minister he has mentored and trained in the faith, sharing with him what matters most as he moves forward without Paul.
Paul’s last words to Timothy are not the first time we’ve seen the passing on of wisdom from one leader to another at the end of his life. Jacob famously blessed all of his sons at the end of Genesis. Moses instructed Joshua. Elijah walked with Elisha. Of course, Jesus was constantly sharing “last words” for his disciples as he went to the cross, and again before he ascended to heaven.
When someone nears the end of his or her life, there is a heightened attention given to what is said. The closer a person gets to eternity, and as they glimpse eternity, what a tremendous perspective they offer to the living! During the month of October, we will not only discuss what Paul says to Timothy but why. That familiar verse about finishing the race is at the end of the letter, but what comes before it makes it all the richer. I look forward to what God will reveal to us together!
all good things to each of you,
Dr Darian