This is not only the last letter Paul will write to Timothy, but also the last letter that the Apostle Paul will ever write (that has survived). The letters to Titus and Philemon follow the writing of Paul’s first letter to Timothy. The tone is changed dramatically.
Paul has been in prison (1Tim. - 57 AD; 2 Tim.63 AD) for up to seven years. He has languished for this long time without any dramatic changes in his status. He has become weary and sick. He recognizes that his time is nearly over on the earth. He is reflective yet determined to finish his life in a firm faith and has tried to affirm, encourage, correct and warn those whom he has left to the work in the churches he established. His last letter is to Timothy and, in it, Paul’s heart is seen as weary, but unbroken. This is his last letter to a dear son. What will he say? What will he leave with him?
August 5, 2012 | John Bayles | The Last Time (2 Timothy 1:1-5)
No comments:
Post a Comment