Last Words

“The Lord stood by me and strengthened me… The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 2 Timothy 4:17-18

Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy in very different conditions than his previous letters. We don’t know for sure, but this was likely a different imprisonment altogether. His earlier imprisonment in Rome, five or six years ago, was a much milder house imprisonment. He could see some friends and was able to write Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Once released, he went to Ephesus, met Timothy and left him in charge of the church there, then went on a missionary tour during which he wrote his first letter to Timothy with specific instructions for the church. But at some point during his newfound freedom, he is arrested, under the fresh wave of animosity against Christians that came under Nero’s reign.

This time, Paul was taken back to Rome and put into Mamertine Prison. Prisoners sentenced to execution there were placed in a circular pit in the ground about 30 feet in diameter, with only a hole at the top for light and air. One section of the pit contained a door that connected with the sewage system. It was common to drop up to 35 prisoners at a time in one pit, and when room had to be made for the next group of prisoners, the door would be pulled open. Sewage would enter and drown all the prisoners, washing them back out. Paul was removed for public execution before he could be so killed, but this was where he endured the last imprisonment of his life, a place without much light or sanitation. This is likely where he writes what will be his last letter, his swan song.

Imagining Paul in that place casts a new light on his words. You can read the suffering between the lines: he is physically uncomfortable, in chains (1:16, 2:9) and wishing he had a warm cloak (4:13). He is emotionally dealing with hurts and betrayals that still feel fresh (4:14-16). He misses his personal belongings (4:13) and is lonely (4:9-13). He knows he will die soon (4:6-8). And yet, he opens the letter with as sure a statement of his identity, purpose, and promise as any ever made: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus.” Jesus at the start, Jesus at the end. In that place, God stood by him and strengthened him, and God will bring him home. May we know that too, wherever we are, and whatever our own sufferings and struggles.