2 TImothy 4:9-22

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 1.a) What do you learn about Paul's needs from 1:16-18 and 4:9-13, 16

 Paul 

  • is short of faithful visitors, Christian fellowship and encouragement (1:16-18)
  • misses companionship ("Do your best to come to me soon", v.9)
  • needed ministry workers (v.11) 
  • is cold ("bring the cloak", v.13b)
  • lacks mental stimulation ("also the books, and above all the parchments" (v.13b)
  • lacks a sense of closure in this life ("the Lord will repay [Alexander] according to his deeds"  v.14)
  • lacks moral support (" At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me" (v.16)

 b) Do you have similar needs? Does someone you know have these needs? If so, how might you help see that they are met?


2. What attitudes towards people and circumstance does Paul show in v.14-18?

  •  Calm acceptance of abandonment (v.10, and need of the ministry as opposed to need of self.
  • Ability to change opinions of people (v.11).
  • Trust that the Lord will deal with evil opposition (v.14-15) and will be with him in times of need (v.17a). He has a realistic assessment about the evil people can show. Paul knows he is not to blame. Alexander opposed Paul because of Paul's message.
  • He had a forgiving heart (v.16)
  • The primacy of proclaiming the gospel (v.17b)
  •  Assurance of victory at the end (v.18)

I see here how Paul's circumstances are basically unfavourable. There would be a challenge to his faith in the midst of the loss of so much of worldly comfort and Christian company. This is in contrast to his unshaken spiritual assurance. The contrast is a rebuke to prosperity gospel teachers, who would say that setbacks are due to Satan's attacks or lack of faith.

I also see Paul's clarity when he is able to say that one person is "in love with this present world", another will be repaid by the Lord, and yet he can pray for others that their sin 'not be charged against them'.

Apostasy
Apostasy is decisively turning away from the faith. An apostate is a person who once claimed to be a Christian but has irreversibly abandoned and renounced orthodox Christianity (Andy Naselli, Gospel Coalition). The Bible warns people who claim to be Christ-followers: God will not finally save you if you do not persevere in the faith and good works. On the other hand, the Bible comforts Christ-followers: God preserves all genuine Christians as eternally secure (preservation), and all genuine Christians continue in the faith (perseverance). Assurance is a concept that is linked inextricably with apostasy, preservation and perseverance.

Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is actually saved (Matt 7:21–23). Faith may look genuine but not be real (The Parable of the Sower, Matt 13:1–23). The Bible repeatedly warns those who claim to be Christians to beware apostasy (e.g., John 15:1–8; 1Cor 15:1–2).

Real Christians never temporarily backslide in their faith, resist God and sin severely. There is hope for those of us who have sinned to return, and there is warning for us that persistent sinfulness means that we are not truly saved.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.(1 Jn 2:19) 

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.  (2 Pet 1:10)


Contentment
In expressing his needs, was Paul discontented? What is the heart of contentment?

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.(Phil 4:11) 

2 Cor 12:9-13.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Contentment should rest on the promises of God's presence (Heb 13:5). Contentment is characterized by thanksgiving (1 TIm 6:6-8) It is a trust and thanksgiving issue. In asking for comforts, we trust in comforts? Or in God? Discontentment is characterized by complaint -a sense of entitlement or greed.  Contentment is characterized by restedness.

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