5 Christ-Focused Ways Paul Prepared for the End of His Life

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” (Philippians 1:21-23).

Paul loved the work that God had given him to do — to preach and teach the gospel and win souls for Christ. Yet he acknowledged that it was a hard task. He ended up in prison many times. He was beaten, shipwrecked, mocked, and often near death.

By keeping his eyes on the eternal life God had promised through faith in Jesus Christ, he was prepared for his death, and even looked forward to it. When Paul surrendered his life to Jesus on the road to Damascus, he received the gift of salvation, and his eternal destiny was secured. Now, no matter when it happened, his soul was prepared for death.

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“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

In Acts 20, Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, being warned by the Holy Spirit that “bonds and afflictions” are ahead. He is taking a route that allows him to say his farewells to some of the people he has invested in, knowing that he may not see them again before his death. With unshakeable confidence, Paul declares that he has done exactly what God called him to do.

Paul was laser-focused on the gospel because it had so radically changed his own life. From personal experience, he knew that religious knowledge and legal adherence to the law fell short of the grace of the gospel that could transform a man from living by the flesh to walking in the Spirit. Paul preached Jesus crucified and risen, and taught a salvation that is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ.

While he cared for the poor and encouraged the believers to live out their faith in godliness and good deeds, his mission was to proclaim the gospel. He strove daily to carry out his mission, so he was always prepared for the mission to end, should God so choose.

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“And when they had come to him, he said to them, ‘You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. … For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God’” (Acts 20:18-21, 27).

Paul taught the word of God both with humility and boldness. He “admonished with tears” (Acts 20:31) but he did not shrink from declaring what was profitable to the people — the whole purpose of God. Paul knew the devastating effects sin could have on an individual believer, as well as in the local church. He taught the whole counsel of Scripture without apology because he understood his responsibility. “Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26). He could face death without regret, knowing that he had said what needed to be said, and that he had preached the truth that is able to save and redeem.

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“Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service” (2 Timothy 4:11).

Paul’s second letter to Timothy was his last one, as far as what we have contained in Scripture. It was written from prison, perhaps just months before his execution by Rome. In it, we see his heart for the people he has served, and especially all the last words of wisdom and encouragement he wants to pour into his younger friend, Timothy, who is pastoring the church at Ephesus.

In 2 Timothy 4:9-11, Paul asks Timothy to make every effort to come soon, knowing his death may be imminent, and tells him to “pick up Mark.” This little phrase says so much about Paul. Fifteen years earlier, Mark had been the cause of a sharp disagreement between his uncle, Barnabas, and Paul. Having set out to accompany them on their first missionary journey, Mark had returned home in the middle of the trip. We don’t know why, but evidently Paul lost confidence in Mark, and refused to take him along on the next trip.

Yet here we are, at the end of his life, and it is Mark he wants to see. I believe Paul had forgiven Mark and their relationship had been restored previously, but now, facing death, Paul wants to make sure there is nothing left unsaid that would cause hurt or discredit the name of Jesus after he dies.

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“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

When Paul mentions a drink offering, he surely is thinking about the picture Jesus gave His disciples at that last meal together in the upper room. Raising the cup of wine, He said, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices, including the drink offerings. Paul sees his own life as worthwhile only as it is poured out in response to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. He is prepared to die because he has given everything he has for the glory of God and the proclamation of the gospel.

Paul was prepared to die because he knew his fight was over, and his course was run. His faith in God had sustained him to the end, and all that was left was to enter the eternal kingdom of God and receive the promised crown of righteousness.

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Have you prepared for death by filling out forms, making an estate plan, and signing your will but forgotten the more important — eternal — things that need your attention.

Have you received the gift of salvation, so that your eternal destiny is secured?

Are you striving daily to faithfully fulfill what God has called you to do, and who He has made you to be?

Have you said what needs to be said? Have you shared the gospel when God opens the door to an opportunity? Have you told the truth to your loved ones?

Have you mended any broken relationships? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness?

Are you fully surrendered to Christ, giving up your life for Him, even unto death?

Then you are prepared for death.

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