In the aftermath of any incident involving a large aircraft, a critical first step for investigators is to recover the flight data recorder, or “black box.” That device typically captures recordings of cockpit conversations, flight information, and environmental conditions that provide valuable insight into that aircraft’s journey. In a similar manner, the final chapter of the Biblical book of 2 Timothy serves as a kind of “black box” that offers insight into Paul the Apostle’s mindset as he neared the end of his earthly life.
Originally written around A.D. 64-66, there are a few verses from the book of 2 Timothy that clearly allude to Paul’s impending death…
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-7).
Sensing that his time may be short, he then added the following…
“Be diligent to come to me quickly… Do your utmost to come before winter” (2 Timothy 4:9, 20).
While we can’t say with certainty that Timothy made contact with Paul prior to his death, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs records the traditional belief concerning the end of Paul’s life…
“Paul, the Apostle, who was before called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labours in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this persecution under Nero… the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers were made, gave his neck to the sword.” (1)
Another reference to Paul’s death appears in an early, extra-Biblical document known as 1 Clement. That first-century epistle says in part…
“Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.” (1)
This biographical information concerning the life and death of Paul the Apostle sets the stage for our entry into the Biblical book of Romans. We’ll continue with an overview of the church at Rome and the structure of this epistle starting next.
Image Attribution: André Gustavo Stumpf from Brasília, Brasil, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
(1) John Foxe, Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs [pg. 13] © 1981 by Whitaker House https://archive.org/details/foxesbookofmarty00foxe_1/page/12/mode/2up
(2) First Clement: Clement of Rome. (n.d.) [5.5-5.6] . https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html