By Larry Overstreet | Retired Professor of Preaching, Northwest Baptist Seminary, Tacoma, Washington
Paul anticipated reward for ministry. A crown was in store for him, safely kept until time for distribution as was the laurel wreaths displayed at the Greek athletic games.
The crown is for the righteous. This reward is for showing practical righteousness in our ministry lives. It is awarded by Christ, the righteous judge, in contrast to Nero's court. Paul would receive his crown on that day when Jesus comes again to receive us to Himself. We must be so in love with Jesus that we want Him to return and the expectation of His return affects our lives and service for Him. The final emphasis in this verse is not on the prize, but on the Person. We must love Jesus above all else.
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Paul likewise used his life as example of the second key truth: how a proper ministry prepares for God's Kingdom.
A. Friends May Abandon (v. 4:16)Paul's friends deserted him at his preliminary hearing in Nero's court. He felt abandoned, but not vengeful toward them.
B. The Lord Sustains (v. 4:17)The Lord stood by Paul—in marked contrast to those who deserted him. The Lord also strengthened Paul to proclaim the gospel at this crucial point.
The lion's mouth is metaphorical; as a Roman citizen, Paul could not be fed to lions. It refers to his impending martyrdom. From it the Lord delivered him temporarily. Why? Probably so he could write 2 Timothy.
C. The Lord Safely Delivers (v. 4:18)People may have planned every evil attack against Paul, but he trusted in the Lord's deliverance. Killing Paul only results in God bringing him into His heavenly kingdom. Thinking of that kingdom results in a doxology to the Lord.
One day our ministry will end. As we complete it faithfully, we will be ready for the Lord's "well done" in our lives.
