2 Timothy 4:6

Our apostle being now come almost to the end of his Christian and ministerial race, he first looks downward into his grave with comfort, ver, 6. and sees his death. pleasing sacrifice to God, and. sweet departure to him; I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Next he looks backward, and reflects upon his well-spent life with joy: I have fought. good fight,. have finished my course, 2 Timothy 4:7.

Last of all he looks upward, and there sees heaven prepared for him, 2 Timothy 4:8. Henceforth is laid up for me. crown of righteousness.

Observe, 1. St. Paul's intimation of his death:. am ready to be offered up:. sacrificial word, "I am ready to be poured out as. drink-offering; my death will be. sweet sacrifice to God, my blood being shed for Christ, as the wine was poured out in the meat-offering."

Learn hence, That the death of God's ministers, especially of such as die martyrs, is. most pleasing sacrifice unto God: precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of all, but especially of the saints.

Observe, 2. St. Paul's narration of his life: I have fought,. have finished,&c. The word run is. figure taken from the Olympic games, where was combating, wrestling, running, according to the laws of the games, and judges appointed to declare the victors, and to give them the prize,. crown of garlands.

The first metaphor is taken from. soldier,. combatant,. champion; I have fought. good fight.

Learn, Every sincere Christian, but especially every faithful minister is. spiritual soldier; their enemies are spiritual, their weapons spiritual, their warfare spiritual, their victory spiritual; they must be men of courage, men of conduct, men that can endure hardship, men of unity and activity among themselves.

The second metaphor is taken from. strenuous runner; I have finished my course, "I am come to the period of my days, and to the end of my race;" alluding perhaps to his course of life after his conversion, which was wholly spent in running from place to place to preach the gospel.

And now he was come to the last stage or gaol at Rome, where he was to receive his garland, his crown of martyrdom.

Learn hence,. Christian's life is. race, which he must not only cheerfully begin, but perseveringly finish: so says the apostle here, "I, Paul the aged, have fought the good fight, &c., have not only begun, but finished, my course."

O what. comfort is it to be an old soldier of Jesus Christ! St. Paul is now reckoned to be sixty-one years of age when he suffered martyrdom; he runs his race patiently, cheerfully, reservedly, and perseveringly.

The third metaphor is taken from depositories, who faithfully keep things committed to their trust without embezzlement. This depositum, the Christian faith, St. Paul had kept; I have kept the faith. He kept first, the grace of faith; secondly, the doctrine of faith, inviolable; endeavouring to transmit it down to posterity, in despite of the legal Jew, or the profane Gentile.

Observe, 3. St. Paul's expectation of his reward: Henceforth is laid up for me. crown of righteousness &c.

Here note, The reward is. crown of righteousness, because only given to righteous men: the person rewarding, Christ, the righteous judge: the person rewarded, me, St. Paul himself, and all the faithful that love Christ's appearing: the certainty of the reward,, it is laid up, reserved and kept safe, as an inheritance for. child: the time of the reward, in that day, the great day of the Lord, when he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

Learn hence, 1. That the reward which God has in hand for his faithful servants, is no less than. crown of glory.

2. That the time when this reward shall be fully and finally dispensed, as the great day.

3. It is the property of the godly to look, love, and long, for that day.