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Paul had "finished" his course, and he shows Timothy very clearly that without
"patience" this can never be done. So James speaks of patience having its perfect work,
and endurance leading to the crown (James 1: 3, 4, 12). In the long list of evidences that
Paul puts into II Cor. 6: patience comes first, "In much patience, in afflictions, in
necessities, in distresses" (4).
How much Christian service has been spoiled by lack of longsuffering, or lack of
patience, only "that day" will reveal. Indeed, without these four "cardinal virtues",
namely, faith, longsuffering, love and patience, the persecutions and afflictions which
came upon the apostle would have been emptied of value.
"Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra;
what persecutions I endured; but out of them all the Lord delivered me" (II Tim. 3: 11).
Here the apostle travels back over the years to the first great missionary journey he
had undertaken. One of the reasons why he sent Timothy's mind back to those days was
that the mission was conducted in entire independence of Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost
had separated Barnabas and Saul for the work which they undertook.
"And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace
of God for the work which they fulfilled" (Acts 14: 26).
Remember, said Paul, in effect, that his ministry was entirely independent of man or
men.
"Paul an apostle (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father,
Who raised Him from the dead)" (Gal. 1: 1).
These challenging words written to the Galatians (which covered Antioch, Lystra,
Derbe*) must be remembered by Timothy and by ourselves, and the independence of
man which the opening challenge conveys, is still to be understood in the twice repeated
assertion:
[* - For proof see "The Apostle of the Reconciliation", p.75.]
"I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ and lie
not); a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" (I Tim. 2: 7).
"I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles"
(II Tim. 1: 11).
While Paul is "but a minister by whom ye believed", that ministry was of God, and it
is a vital element in our stand for the truth to-day. The reference back to Antioch
moreover, would remind Timothy of the fact that here, for the first time, the great
doctrine of justification by faith was enunciated.
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached
unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things
from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13: 38, 39).