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Rome and executed by the Roman sword, that three of the guard were converted on the
way and that they too suffered martyrdom later on for the Lord Jesus.
How much Timothy would need the Lord's presence, strength and grace in the dark
and dangerous times which lay ahead of him, only Paul himself knew. But he must have
been assured that the One Who had caused him to triumph over all difficulties,
discouragements, persecutions and bitter opposition would be more than sufficient for
this young man, so soon to take the tremendous responsibility for the truths that
characterize this age of abounding grace.
What can we say concerning such an utterly faithful and devoted servant of the Lord?
We can only seek by the same grace to follow loyally in his steps as he followed Christ
(I Cor. 11: 1) and to thank the Lord with all our hearts for such a wonderful example to us
Gentiles (Eph. 3: 1, 13; Col. 1: 24). F. W. Farrar's words are appropriate here:
"No saint of God has ever attained the same heights in so many capacities, or received
the gifts of the Spirit in so rich an outpouring, or borne in his mortal body such evident
brand marks of the Lord. In his lifetime he was no whit behind the very chiefest of the
apostles and he towers above the very greatest of the saints who have striven to follow
the example of his devotion to his Lord."
And so our study of these prison letters of Paul draws to a close. A careful and
prayerful consideration of the riches contained in these epistles will indicate something of
their vast spiritual wealth which awaits our exploration by faith:
"(Christ, the Beloved One) in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace . . . . ." (Eph. 1: 6, 7).
"the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints . . . . ."
(Eph. 1: 18).
"that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His
kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2: 7).
"that I (Paul) should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ . . . . ."
(Eph. 3: 8).
"that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with
might by His Spirit" (Eph. 3: 16).
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus" (Phil. 4: 19).
". . . . . the mystery (secret) which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now
is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of
the glory of this mystery (secret), which is Christ among (margin) you (Gentiles), the
hope of glory" (Col. 1: 26, 27).
". . . . . being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of
understanding, that they may know the mystery (secret) of God, even Christ" (Col. 2: 2,
R.V.).
May both reader and writer learn to `possess our possessions' by faith in what God has
revealed in these prison letters of Paul and then by grace remain absolutely faithful to
such a wondrous calling and inheritance whatever the cost in these darkening and testing
days, remembering that our `blessed hope' cannot be far distant. May this constantly
strengthen, encourage and inspire us while we are: