How to Say Goodbye

“The Lord, Jesus Christ, be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen” 
                                                                                   -2 Timothy 4:22

 

People say good bye in so many different ways.  Not just from country to country but in meaning as well.  There are some that are casual about goodbyes with a wave, nod or handshake.  Then there are the huggers with a soft gesture of farewell.  There are those that believe every goodbye is a heartfelt and emotional because you just never know if it may be your last.  Regardless of your personal style, you must admit that saying goodbye is a great opportunity to also offer a blessing for the other individual.

This verse in 2 Timothy is believed to be the last of Paul’s writings.  It is traced back to Rome, when he was imprisoned and stood before Nero Caesar, in 67 A.D.  Paul is estimated to have spent around 5 or 6 years in jail for preaching and teaching of the grace and love of Jesus Christ.  In this second letter to Timothy he clearly celebrates Timothy’s growth as an evangelist and work in the ministry, but then turns to advising and mentoring near the end of the letter.

It is almost as if Paul realized he were at the end.  This goodbye was much more formal than any of his other letters, in that he added the first part, “The Lord, Jesus Christ, be with thy spirit.”.  Paul often called upon God’s grace in his closing remarks, but here he is praying directly for the Lord Jesus Christ to be with his spirit.  The death of Paul the Apostle is not recorded in the scriptures.  It is commonly held though, that shortly after penning this letter to Timothy he was sentenced to death by execution.  Early manuscripts support the view that he was martyred by the act of beheading, sometime in the middle of 68 A.D.

In all, 13 books of the New Testament were penned by Paul the Apostle.  Through his ministry and journeys he spread the gospel of Jesus Christ across the Mediterranean Basin, and throughout Samaria and Judea.  Many churches were born as a result of Paul’s persistence and passion for preaching of Jesus Christ to all.  I’ve personally visited Athens, Jerusalem and Caesarea where the archeologists have uncovered the remains of what Paul clearly describes throughout his writings.  As such, it confirms in my eyes, the truth of this man’s travels and ministry.  Two thousand years have passed and his writings are still held in high regard in churches all around the globe.  His testimony of that miraculous meeting on the road to Damascus was recorded multiple times in letters and sermons to the early churches.  If it weren’t so, than Paul’s ministry would not have lasted 24 years unattested.  He was a great missionary for the Lord because he spoke the truth, remained consistent in following wherever the Holy Spirit led him all the way to the sword.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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