Paul concludes his letter like he always does, thoughts of others. This is his last letter but he still remembers those he has served alongside. This closing doesn’t sound as urgent as our last reading did. I guess that would also depend on when this letter was posted. If Timothy received it in Spring or […]
Paul has a few personal tasks for Timothy before he closes his letter. These might sound mundane to some but they were of great importance to Paul. He fought hard and wanted a couple of comforts at the end. This is the last letter that Paul writes, that we have anyway. This is also his […]
Paul is winding up his letter to Timothy. He shares his strongest command to Timothy now; “Preach the word” (verse 2a). Paul is passing the torch to Timothy. Since his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he has preached the word with an uncompromising spirit. Opposition did not matter. He spoke only the […]
Paul returns his focus to Timothy. He extols his perseverance in following Paul’s example of following Jesus. Paul also assures Timothy that it is not going to get easier but to lean into the word, which will see him through. Paul is not expecting to get out of his current situation. He wants to leave […]
Paul begins to focus on the church Timothy is shepherding. There seems to be a lot of unproductive quarreling going on. Debates over matters that don’t matter. It’s time to let the unimportant go and focus on what really matters; being a “worker who has no need to be ashamed” (verse 15b). This body was […]
