Need Boldness and the Likehood of Suffering for Christ?

A Letter from Death Cell

Paul sees the end

I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my dapture II Thi 4:6

Occasionally, writings surface from death cells, earnest scratchings of prisoners who know each word may be their last. Whole books, for example, were discovered the ruins of Nazi death camps.

Understandably, these writings don't usually dwell on abstract, philosophical themes.

They chronicle the day-to-day reality of the struggle to survive.

Quit naturally, Paul did not devote much space to doctrine in his death cell letter.

He struck to personal advice on vital issues as courage and personal integrity.

Paul's Grim Future

Although Paul does not elaborate on his present circumstances in 2 Thimothy, he mentions that at his first trial not a single witness came forward to defend him  (II Thi 4:16  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.)

Through supernatural strengh he successfully defended himself, but his prospects in a new trial appeared grim ( II Thi 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.)

Paul's arrest probably occured in the wave of anti-Christian persecutions begun by Nero in A.D. 64.That crazed emperor tortured Christians by crucifying them, by wrapping them in animal skins and turning his hunting dogs loose on them and by burning them alive, as human torches, to illuminate the games in his garden.

Is it any wonder that Paul imprisoned in that era, exhorted Thimothy on the need boldness and the likehood of suffering for Christ?

 The Coming Conflict

Toward the end of his life, Paul viewed the future as a growing struggle. Immorality and false teaching would "spread like gangrene" ( I I Thi 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;he urged Christians to counteract those forces with personal purity.

The battle between good and evil would only intensify, he said.After making some predictions about "the last days", Paul composed a formal charge to Thimothy - a last will and testament to his spiritual son. 

He concluded, " I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (II Thi 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Tredition teaches that Paul was killed by Rome for his faith. But because of his life and the legacy he passed on, the world would never be the same.