Bragging – 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

A text – 2 Timothy 4:6-8

⁶ As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 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.

16-18

¹⁶ At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 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. 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.

A reflection:

The author of this second letter to Timothy, one of Paul’s dearest partners in mission, is possibly Paul himself, or possibly someone writing after the fact in a style that tries to be like Paul. It seems to be Paul’s farewell to Timothy, as he knows he will soon be put to death. And is he bragging? Listing all his accomplishments? He sounds a little like the boastful Pharisee in Monday’s passage of Luke.

I had a couple of chances to meet Dr. Dirk Lange when we were both on the faculty of Luther Seminary. He was beloved of his students and colleagues as a Roman Catholic monk and scholar because of his ability to write and speak clearly on cloudy issues. He says of this seemingly braggadocious passage that Paul isn’t arrogant because of his own mighty works but rather proud to have been a part of God doing God’s work through him. Paul is going to be conforming to Christ – even his death will be like a sacrifice. Dr. Lange says, “Paul begins by describing his life as an offering… his blood is being poured out… Paul’s life has a different goal than that of perfection or success or a happy retirement. His life’s goal is given already in Christ, in Christ’s death and life…These verses are filled with hope. Despite the description of a hopeless situation…Paul’s hope is a present hope. It is hope in the present moment that forms, that transforms the ‘now’ in which we live.”

No matter what happens, even at the brink of our death, we live, as Luther says, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection, because when we die wrapped in Christ, we will be raised like Christ. In verse 18, Paul may remind us of the Lord’s prayer: “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.” What a gift of faith Paul had. The Holy Spirit gave it and renewed it every day when Paul prayed for it. The Spirit offers it to you and me, too, to sustain our hope and see us into tomorrow. Let’s never forget to ask for it, today and always.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending your Spirit to give us faith and hope. Help us never to lose heart, even when things look bleak. Help us to be bold and even brag about your goodness, given to us every day.  Amen.