Ready to be Offered 2 Timothy 4:6

Paul the apostle knew his death by the Romans was imminent, and he desired to leave Timothy, his “dearly beloved son”, directions as the pastor of the church in Ephesus and care for his own personal life. Among these directions, Timothy was to “watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist” and “make full proof of” his “ministry”. In chapter four and verse six of his final letter, Paul begins to share concerning his departure from the earth as he declared, “I am ready to be offered” where we read:

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

The verse begins, “For I am now ready to be offered,...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “because, since, indeed, seeing then and on account of” “I” which refers to Paul himself, “am now ready to be offered” which is the Greek phrase “spendō ēdē spendō” and literally means “to pour out as a drink offering or make a libation” and figuratively is “used of one whose blood is poured out in a violent death for the cause of God”. Paul was ready to be spent as an offering for the cause of Jesus Christ.

The verse continues, “... and the time of my departure is at hand.” Paul went on to add, “and the time” or “due measure, fixed, definite, opportune and seasonable period” “of my departure” which means “unloosing, dissolving such as the loosing from moorings preparatory to setting sail” “is at hand” or “present, in place, ready and come upon”. Death was pending and close for Paul the apostle, and he was well aware of the conditions he was going to face. Though his earthly conditions were dim, he continued to be steadfast in his walk with Jesus Christ.

While we meditate upon Paul's words, let us consider how we would be if we knew our “time of departure” was at hand. What would be our thoughts during those last few days or hours? Would we be concerned about the well-being of a young protege such as Timothy? Would we consider our “departure” an “offering” and be willing to be “spent” and “poured out as a drink offering” for “the cause of God”. As we consider these things, let us allow ourselves to imagine being Paul for a moment, and ask the Lord to help us have the “ready to be offered” state of mind at all times, because none of us know whether our “time of departure” is very close or still a few years away. Even so, may we always be ready to depart, and continually pray, “come quickly Lord Jesus”.

Next time Paul tells Timothy to “watch in all things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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