Strong in Grace
2 Timothy 4:1–8
I charge you . . . : preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort. 2 Timothy 4:1–2

What a tremendous charge, especially in light of the situation in the church and world that Timothy lived in. How could Timothy possibly hope to carry it out?

It seems to me that there are three answers.

First, this is God’s charge to Timothy and the charge of the Lord Jesus Christ, not merely Paul’s charge. It is why Paul says, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom.” The work may be hard, but it is God who has given it to us. We cannot take his commissioning lightly. We must be faithful to the end.

Second, others have done it. Paul had an even more difficult time of ministry than Timothy, but Paul had come through, having “fought the good fight,” “finished the race,” and “kept the faith” (v. 7). When we are tempted to quit, let’s remember that “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man”— even the temptation to quit—and that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.” And there is this too: “he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13), which leads us to the next point.

Third, God will provide the grace we need to be faithful. This is what the end of 2 Timothy says. It looks like mere personal notes, as in most of Paul’s letters. But it is far more. It describes the situation Paul is in. Demas has deserted him. Everyone but Luke has departed. Alexander the metalworker did him great harm. At this first trial, no one came to his support. But the God of grace was with him. “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth” (v. 17).

There it is! If you determine to stand for God without quitting, you find that God will stand with you. He will rescue you from every evil attack and in the end bring you “safely into his heavenly kingdom” (v. 18).

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.