Question of the Week: What did Paul the Apostle mean when he described himself as a drink offering?
2 Timothy 4:6 is a statement Paul the Apostle made at the end of his life in a Roman prison. After his second trial before Nero, he was sentenced to death by beheading since his Roman citizenship protected him from being crucified. Nonetheless, he was also an ethnic Jew who studied under the most prominent Rabbi Gamaliel at the time. In his final letter to his disciple Timothy, he naturally would make as many references to the Old Testament he spent his childhood studying that he could get away with. This particular reference to a drink offering was the measure of wine that would be brought to accompany freewill offerings. As the name suggests, they were not mandatory. They were simply explained as something they could do during the times of the feasts or anytime they wanted to be thankful to God for their relationship with Him. This sacrifice was essentially a barbeque that the individuals would eat at the Temple after the priests had ceremoniously prepared it and dedicated it to God. Even in the modern day, some preparation of meat-based meals wash the food in wine or beer as it’s being prepared. This not only enhances the flavor, but also the smell of the meat as it’s being cooked. The purpose of this is two-fold. In a practical sense, it made the time the family bringing the sacrifice to worship and be thankful to God able to enjoy the experience all the more. In a spiritual sense, it was a picture of God’s perspective on our prayers. From Exodus all the way to Revelation, the prayers of the priests on behalf of the people of Israel is described as a sweet smelling aroma to Him.
2 Corinthians 2:15
Numbers 15:3
This word picture emphasizes the same reality that would take place as this offering of wine was poured over the sacrifice while it was being burned/cooked on the altar. Going back then to Paul’s reference to himself as a drink offering, there are aspects of this that certainly don’t fit his current circumstances. He isn’t a literal eighth of a barrel of wine being poured over an offering to God in the Temple. Our first test then considered, we move from the literal to hyperbole and symbolism with a complete understanding of the context. His life was about to end concerning this earthly ministry God called him to. His blood was going to be poured out until his body would no longer sustain him and his consciousness went to be with the Lord. The laying down of his life for the gospel was one he freely choose to do. The example Paul sought to follow in life and death was the Lord Jesus’. We clarify these points simply by reading the next two verses.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Therefore, Paul’s point in calling himself a drink offering was that he was freely giving His life out of gratitude for God doing the same for him.
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