Apostle Paul’s Last Recorded Words: A Holy Calling

A man’s last words are most important. In the apostle Paul’s last letter from prison in Rome, which was his second letter to his beloved son Timothy, the emphasis is on being a vessel of honor, sanctified, holy, and pure; holding on to the pure doctrine Paul had taught over the years; imitating his pure life and conduct; remembering his persecutions and afflictions for the sake of the gospel; and avoiding all falsehood, deception, error, and those who peddle falsehoods (whom he called vessels of dishonor).

Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. I consider him my father because the Lord Jesus appointed him a father and apostle to all Gentile believers. He is our father in the faith. That’s my lineage. I align myself with the Holy Fathers who gave us the pure faith. Paul, by the Lord’s grace, labored for us as a father does for his own children. He gave up having a family for this faith. He is worthy of honor.

Paul’s labor and tears for the gospel and against false doctrine.

When I read Paul’s words, I treat them with reverence, remembering all that Paul suffered to make sure we Gentiles have a share in eternal life and the pure gospel. We must never forget. Because of Paul’s faithfulness, we get to have the pure doctrine written and handed down and have his letters today in these last days of great deception, which he predicted. False teachings are a mockery of our faith and our fathers who laid down their lives for the gospel. We must have nothing to do with it or its peddlers. Like Paul says, it spreads like cancer, corrupting its hearers (2 Timothy 2:17).

“Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” 2 Timothy 2:10

“For which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” 1 Timothy 2:7

Every Gentile convert is fruit accounted to Paul for all generations. His pleadings, weeping, and cries for the Gentiles to stand and not be deceived were for us, too, and especially for us. The best way to honor a father is to obey him.

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” 2 Timothy 4:17

Paul warns against being entangled by the affairs of this life.

Being set apart is key to being approved by God, and Paul is keen to tell Timothy to avoid getting entangled in the affairs of this world but instead strive lawfully for mastery, in obedience to God’s holy word, to obtain the goal, which is ETERNAL LIFE. We must be vessels of honor, not dishonor.

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5

Warning against associations with false teachers.

In 2 Timothy, Paul takes great pains to warn Timothy to avoid association with dishonorable vessels who were spreading heresies and corrupting the faith of many (like Hymenaeus and Philetus) and not to be entangled in strife and arguments over silly things. He warned Timothy, just as he did in his first letter, to be watchful of deception and false teachings and their peddlers and to stay away from them.

Association is key. Paul tells Timothy to associate with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart, imitate Paul’s teaching and example, and avoid those who are contrary and have ulterior, greedy motives. We become like those we associate with and call father. Paul is a worthy example to imitate even today because he imitated Christ. Thank God that even in a time of great deception and false teachers, the example of Paul is available to us all. In reading his words to Timothy, we can hear him speaking to us all.

“Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:19-21

Paul fought the good fight of faith; we can too.

Paul fought a good fight, he finished his race, and he kept the faith. A crown of righteousness is awaiting him, and he says it awaits not only him but also all who love the Lord’s appearing. May we never forget what is waiting for us. As he tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1, the Lord Jesus shall appear one day and judge us all. May this never leave our minds so that we may be sure to cling to sound doctrine and the pure word of God, which can make us wise for salvation and sanctify us and keep us holy until our Lord’s appearing.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:10-17