The man of God is prepared unto every good work, in his having departed from iniquity and purged himself from the vessels of dishonor. In ch. 2 he is equipped; in ch. 3 furnished unto every good work; in ch. 4 he goes to war. He is to “reprove, rebuke,” &c. This shows the signs of failure which the wisdom of the Spirit foresaw. It was not so much evangelizing as preaching “the word” amongst professing Christians who would not endure sound doctrine. All was to be done in view of His appearing and His kingdom. Then faithfulness would be manifested.
We should be more earnest than ever in living to Christ, as we are now in the shaking of all things, and the Lord may come at any time now. Worldliness amongst us is a sign and a source of weakness. It must be “with all long-suffering and doctrine.” These are the elements that must give character to our service. If men were left to their own responsibility they would never come in.
“I am now being poured forth” (v. 6). In Phil. 2 it was “If I be,” &c. Things have gone further here. “My release,” is the thought, because he had been in the combat as an athlete. He can say, “I have fought the good fight,” &c. It was the finishing of his race and wrestling of 1 Cor. 9:24-27. The Lord would preserve him to His heavenly kingdom; if he was not to be preserved on earth (v. 18). His desire was that he might finish his course with joy (Acts 20) Here he had done it: “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”