Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
Fight the Good Fight
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come--and the books, especially the parchments. (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy, who is helping at the church in Ephesus. False Teaching has infiltrated the church and this letter is the second Paul has sent, in an effort to remedy the situation.
Paul is writing from prison in Rome, with Luke being his amanuensis, or scribe. This letter is being written about AD late 65-early 66.
Paul has just instructed Timothy on how to carry himself as a minister of the Gospel, especially in the light of the false teaching that was now prevalent in the churches of Ephesus and all of Asia Minor. Paul is handing over this part of his ministry to Timothy, for the time being.
Paul realizes that his time on earth, along with his ministry, is coming to an end. He elaborates on this in verses six through eight.
He begins by writing “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering” (v. 6a). The phrase “being poured out as a drink offering” is a reference to Numbers 15: 5, 7, and 10.
The “drink offering” was an Old Testament offering of wine poured out before the Lord in the Sanctuary. Paul writes that this is “already” happening, which points to a concern that his life, his ministry, or both are coming to an end.
Continuing, he writes “and the time of my departure is at hand” (v. 6b). This is a sure sign that Paul believes that his life is ebbing away.
Next, he writes “I have fought the good fight” (v. 7a). “The good fight” refers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul is not commending himself, but rather honoring the Gospel, for which he gave his life. The term “fought”, in this context, is not that of warfare but rather an athletic contest.
He confirms this by writing “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (v. 7b). The Lord assigned Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.
So, in saying that he has faithfully finished the race he is likely saying that he has finished his ministry to the Gentiles, but not necessarily his ministry, itself. Paul seems to have more to do for the Lord.
Next, Paul writes “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (v. 8). Paul is looking forward to his victor’s “crown of righteousness” which the Lord will bestow upon all who complete the race.
This is a metaphor for the crown given to the victor in the athletic races of the day. In this case, it is the reward for those remaining faithful to the Lord until the end of their lives on this earth.
Paul then turns his attention to one of the major reasons for the writing of the letter. He instructs Timothy “to Be diligent to come to me quickly” (v. 9).
He is instructing Timothy to complete his ministry in Ephesus in a “diligent” manner and, then, to come “quickly” to him in Rome.
Paul needs reinforcements, to complete his ministry. He has more to do, as in writing the letter to the Hebrews.
Next, Paul writes “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia” (v. 10). Previously, Paul had several fellow ministers (Demas, Crescens, and Titus), along with Luke, helping him with his personal and ministry needs in Rome. Demas, Crescens, and Titus have now left. Apparently, Demas has turned to the ways of the “world”, presumably forsaking the ministry.
Continuing, Paul writes “Only Luke is with me” (v. 11a). Now, only Luke remains, which also points to Luke being his amanuensis.
Paul writes “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (v. 11b). So, Paul is lonely, and in need of support to meet both his personal and ministry needs. He specifically asks Timothy to bring Mark with him, to help with his ministry needs.
Next, Paul instructs “And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus” (v. 12). He is sending this letter with Tychicus, who will take over Timothy’s duties in Ephesus when Timothy departs to Rome.
Paul closes this passage with “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come--and the books, especially the parchments” (v. 13). The fact that all of these valuable possessions were left in Troas may indicate that Paul had been arrested in Troas and brought to Rome with few, if any, possessions. It is doubtful that he would have willingly left these possessions.
So, Paul instructs Timothy to bring his heavy, woolen “cloak”, or coat. Later, in verse twenty-one, he asks Timothy to arrive before winter. The cloak is his winter attire.
Obviously, Paul does not believe his death is imminent. He is preparing to get through the winter, and he is asking for help, and materials, to continue his ministry work.
He asks Timothy to bring his scrolls (Old Testament writings) and “especially the parchments”, blank parchments for writing another letter.
These are not the words of one who is convinced that his death is imminent, or his ministry is over. Paul has more to do.
He has devoted his life to the Lord and that devotion will only end with his death. He intends on continuing his ministry.
He has asked for Mark to come help with his ministry needs. He has asked for Timothy to come help with his personal and ministry needs.
He still has Luke, who Clement of Alexandria said, in the second century, translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek. This indicates that Luke, a Gentile, was also learned in Hebrew. The fact that he translated the letter would also indicate that Luke may have had some previous familiarity with composing the letter.
Paul has also asked for Scripture writings and writing materials. He has not finished his ministry, only his ministry to the Gentiles who have rejected him. All the churches in Asia Minor have turned to the false teachers, deserting Paul (2 Timothy 1:15).
But Paul has one more letter left in him, before Nero beheads him. That letter is the Book of Hebrews, a final appeal to his own people.
This passage is a tribute to a man who literally gave his life to his Lord. He fought the good fight and stayed faithful to the end. He is an example for every Christian to follow.