2 Timothy

In the Prison Epistles, Paul was under house arrest, but now he is in an actual Roman prison. This is why Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed of his “chains” (2 Tim. 1:16),[1] and it explains why he is requesting necessities like his Bible and a warm cloak (2 Tim. 4:13). Moreover, Paul believes that he is going to die soon, which implies that he has been caught for a second time and died according to the order of Emperor Nero (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

These are the last words of Paul the great apostle. We learn a lot about a person by looking at their final words:

As one person put it, “Last words are lasting words.” As you read this letter, keep in mind that these are Paul’s final words to his close friend Timothy. This letter should be read through the lens of Paul realizing that he is going to die by the executioner’s sword, and it will happen “soon” (2 Tim. 4:9). What does Paul have to say to Timothy (and us) in his final moments?

[1] We should note, however, that this same language appears in Paul’s house arrest as well: “I am an ambassador in chains” (Eph. 6:20).

[2] Sreechinth C, Scripted Words of Alfred Hitchcock (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018), 27.

[3] Michael B. Becraft, Steve Jobs: A Biography (ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2017), 185.

[4] Ian Littlewood, Critical Assessments—Volumes 1-4 (Helm Information, 1998), 341.

[5] Joe Guse, The Tragic Clowns-An Analysis of the Short Lives of John Belushi, Lenny Bruce, and Chris Farley (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2009), 106.

[6] Sreechinth C, Powerful Quotes of Winston Churchill (UB Tech, 2016), 162.

[7] David Shields, The Thing About Life Is That One Day You’ll Be Dead (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008), 196.