I. INTRODUCTION
A. The result of Paul's final trial before Caesar condemned to death. Little is known concerning this second trial, but secular history and some things Paul said during his first imprisonment point to the likelihood of a second trial, (Phil. 1:23-25). The language of 2 Timothy shows that Paul believed his death was inevitable and imminent.
B. "I am ready to be offered" suggests that he was prepared and willing to die. The expression further implies that he was ready to sacrifice himself as a martyr for Christ.
C. "The time of my departure is at hand" he was ready to be released from this world and prepared to go to eternity.
D. How a man feels when he is about to die is of interest to us all. How does he feel if he is a Christian? A heathen? What is his opinion concerning this world, and the next world? What does the dying man feel is truly valuable? Was (is) religion important to them? Has the dying one found anything to comfort them as they anticipate their departure?
II. DISCUSSION
A. Reviewing the life of Paul the dying man.
1. How he regarded his life here on earth.
a. Paul viewed his life as a conflict or fight, "I have fought the good fight." (See also: Phil. 1:30; Col. 2:1; 1 Thess. 2:2; 1 Cor. 9:25.) He saw a crown or reward waiting at the end for those who completed the struggle. Laziness and lack of exertion could cause one to lose their reward.
b. Paul viewed life as a race to be run, "I have finished my course." As a race, life has a beginning and ending point. It is short, and only will be run once.
c. Paul viewed life in terms of keeping the faith, being true to His Master and his Master's cause.
2. What would Paul remember about his life?
a. He had sacrificed many things on this earth: honor, position, wealth he could have earned, and fame as a scholar, defender of Judaism, or orator. He had abandoned everything for Christ.
b. He had been called upon to suffer for the Way. He had lived a life of sacrifice. toil, self-denial, peril, persecution, and poverty. He labored by his hands, he had no home, he was often alone, he had been shipwrecked, stoned, and scourged, (Acts 18:3; 2 Cor. 11:23- 27). He had been slandered by his enemies, reviled as a disturber of the peace by his Jewish brethren and deserted by his friends in time of need, (1 Cor. 4:9-13).
3. How did Paul feel about the course his life had taken? He was not sorry, nor did he feel himself a failure. He held no doubts concerning his religion or the crown for which he labored. He was happy to be associated with the despised "sect of the Nazarene."
4. Contrast and compare Paul's review of his life with the review we hear from others as they anticipate their death.
a. Many feel that they have wasted their lives by wasting time, talents, wealth, and opportunities for doing good, gaining knowledge, helping the poor, and preparing for eternity.
b. Many will look back on a wicked life of perverting powers and corrupting, seducing, and leading others away from their religious hopes. Instead of guiding others to God they have spent their lives saying their is no God, no heaven, and no eternal spirit.
c. The misery of life without religion. The extent of this misery will be realized as death approaches: no prospect of happiness beyond the grave; no treasures laid up in heaven; no knowledge of God or how a sinner obtains salvation; no hope of a better life or fitness for heaven.
B. Based on the review of the past, what are the dying man's prospects for the future? In Paul's case: because he had fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith he had a crown of righteousness reserved in his name.
1. The best view of a man's future then, is a review of his past. This does not mean that a man cannot repent and be baptized for the remission of his sins in life's waning hours. We know God's mercy provides for salvation through obedience, even at the last hour, (Mt. 20:1-16). An obvious advantage of the Christian "race" is that it can be entered at any time during one's life. Nevertheless, the prospect of the "crown of righteousness" can be best seen in the light of a life lived in service to the Savior.
2. In Paul's case, on what was his hope of a "crown" founded? We know the "crown" was not earned by Paul's own righteousness, but by the grace, mercy, and righteousness of Jesus Christ, (Titus 3:4-7; Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 3:20-24; Phil. 3:7-9). The crown illustrates the righteousness of God, not the righteousness of man! God the Judge will show no partiality. He will not base His judgment on our rank, station, position, or wealth, but on our belief, obedience, and service.
C. These are Paul's last words recorded for our benefit. Note their calmness. They are not fervid expressions of ecstasy, or visions of angels with outstretched arms; but quiet, calm utterances of faith.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Based on this lesson and your own study, answer the questions posed in the introduction under letter D.
2. Find scriptures that could be used to contrast the death bed scenes of a dying Christian and a dying unbeliever.
3. Paul's allusions to the Grecian games is apparent in our text. Find other passages where he makes these athletic comparisons.