ACC ~ 2 Timothy 4 v6

HIS MARTYRDOM AT HAND. EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: He did not add next something like “he will deliver me out of the mouth of the lion,” for he saw in the spirit that his death was all but at hand. So he adds to his words, “And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” He says: “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom,” indicating his speedy martyrdom, which he foretells even more clearly in the same writing, when he says, “For I am even now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is at hand.” ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 2.22.

BEING POURED OUT. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Paul does not say libor but delibor, that is, enduring death in the confession of Christ as a libation of wine is poured out on behalf of honoring God. COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY.

A LIBATION. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul calls his destruction a libation, as if his blood were poured out for the sake of true religion. INTERPRETATION OF THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

AN IMMOLATION. AUGUSTINE: Let me say something about this; I am helped, you see, by their words, which have gone out to the ends of the whole wide world. Notice first of all his holy act of pouring himself out. He said he was being immolated, not that he was dying. It is not because one who is immolated doesn’t die but that not everyone who dies is immolated. So being immolated he is dying for God. The word is taken from sacrifice. Everything that is sacrificed is slaughtered for God. SERMONS 299.3.

THE CROWN OF GRACE. AUGUSTINE: Hear Paul the apostle first acknowledging grace and afterwards seeking what was owed. What is the acknowledgment of grace in Paul? He “was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and contumelious,” he says, “but I obtained mercy.” He said that he was unworthy to obtain it, but that he obtained it not by his own merits but by the mercy of God. Hear him now ready to receive what is owed, he who had first accepted unmerited grace. He says, “For I am even now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice.” Now he demands what is owed. Now he exacts what is to be paid. For look at the following words: “Which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day.” TRACTATES ON JOHN 3.10.

2 Tim