Page 1117 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_10_MacArthur_Bible_Oct.qxd 8/8/03 16:59 Page 1098

OCTOBER 31
18
of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
deliver me from every evil work and preserve 21 Do your utmost to come before winter.
me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens,
forever and ever. Amen! Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
20
of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, Grace be with you. Amen.
DAY 31: Describe how Paul recaps his life in 2 Timothy 4:6–8.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering”(v.6).Meaning his death was imminent.
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, a drink offering was the final offering that followed the
burnt and grain offerings prescribed for the people of Israel (Num. 15:1–16). Paul saw his coming
death as his final offering to God in a life that had already been full of sacrifices to Him.“My depar-
ture”speaks of Paul’s death.The Greek word essentially refers to the loosening of something, such
as the mooring ropes of a ship or the ropes of a tent; thus it eventually acquired the secondary
meaning of “departure.”
“I have fought…have finished…have kept”(v.7).The form of the 3 Greek verbs indicates com-
pleted action with continuing results. Paul saw his life as complete—he had been able to accom-
plish through the Lord’s power all that God called him to do. He was a soldier, an athlete, and a
guardian.“The faith.”The truths and standards of the revealed Word of God.
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (v. 8).The Greek word for “crown”
literally means “surrounding,” and it was used of the plaited wreaths or garlands placed on the
heads of dignitaries and victorious military officers or athletes.Linguistically,“of righteousness”can
mean either that righteousness is the source of the crown or that righteousness is the nature of the
crown.The crown represents eternal righteousness received through the imputed righteousness of
Christ at salvation (Rom.4:6,11).The Holy Spirit works practical righteousness (sanctification) in the
believer throughout his lifetime of struggle with sin (Rom. 6:13,19; 8:4). But only when the struggle
is complete will the Christian receive Christ’s righteousness perfected in him (glorification) when he
enters heaven (Gal. 5:5).

1098