POURED OUT AS A LIBATION - this phrase refers to pouring out wine or other liquid on an altar as a sacrificial offering (Num. 15:5, 7; 10; 28:7). This language also shows up in Paul’s writing to the Philippians: But even if am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you (2:17).

FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT - In verses 7-8, Paul borrows a metaphor from Greek athletics, a metaphor that appears throughout his other writings (Philippians 3:12-13, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1-2) to show that he has endured and completed his ministry. Kept the faith]: the phrase could mean that Paul has remained loyal to the pistis-the Christian gospel as he originally received it from God and which was confirmed by the apostles. But the phrase may also mean that Paul fulfilled his pledge pistis as an athlete finishes the race and receives a crown.

NIB:

We should allow the words of 4:6-8 to work on us in the way that the eulogy delivered at the funeral of a very fine person works on us-at the emotional level, to fire us not simply with admiration for that person, but with resolve to cherish the memory of that person and to allow it to influence and mold our own lives for the better . . . This should be the value of Christian testimony, the value of "sharing" experience as well as faith in the way the earliest Methodist class meetings did so successfully. In these cases, "testimony" was not simply of one’s conversion ("how I was saved"), but of one’s continuing discipleship, of God’s continuing dealings ("how I am being saved")-the low points as well as the high points. [1]

connections

JOHN DONNE-One short sleep past, we wake eternally, and death shall be no more: Death, thou shalt die!

JOSEPH ADDISON-See in what peace a Christian can die. (his last words)

THOMAS A’KEMPIS-One is blessed if they are able to keep the hour of their death continually before their eyes, and every day to hold themselves in readiness for death

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER-Death is the supreme festival on the road to freedom.

BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER-In the midst of life we are in death.

gambits

Notice images that Paul uses to describe the impending ending of his life and ministry: "being poured out as a libation." And the other references to the brevity of his life: "the time of my departure has come," "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Notice also, though how Paul embodies hope beyond the death experience: "From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord . . . will give me on that day . . ."

What cultural images can you think of that also conjures up the sense of the impending appointment with death?

Seems Paul’s view of his personal demise forms a balance between becoming aware of one’s own mortality while yet at the same time being buoyed by the hope of something better that will survive death.

What gratifies Paul as he looks back on his life? Can you provide a portfolio of Paul’s life, a thumbnail sketch of his long life, using only an economy of words? EX: "As Paul reflects on his lived life, he has done it all-sailed, preached, argued, fled, hid, confronted, healed, resuscitated, survived shipwrecked, taught, suffered, exorcised, bore hurled stones . . .

What about our lives? Stephen Covey suggests that every day we either make investments or withdrawals from the bank account of our integrity. Looking at the end of the journey rather than where we presently are, what investments as a Christian would gratify you?

What legacy will we leave behind? What kind of faith will we be noted for?

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[1] New Interpreter’s Bible XI  (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000), Page 860.