2 Timothy 4:22, "The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you."

Interesting points:
1. This verse captures Paul's final words in the New Testament – words that offer great encouragement to Timothy and readers throughout the ages: "The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you." The blessing “[Jesus] be with your spirit" is also in the conclusions of three other letters Paul wrote to the Galatians (6:18), the Philippians (4:23) and Philemon (1:25) whereas the words "Grace be with you" ended his letters to the Colossians (4:18), 1 Timothy (6:21), and Titus (3:15).

2. With the end to 2 Timothy many unanswered questions exist that are not covered in the New Testament nor any other record. Was Timothy able to visit Paul before his execution? What and when was Paul’s "first defense"? What happened to those close to Paul following this time? Although much is unknown, Paul clearly ended his last letter fully focused and serving Christ faithfully until his execution leaving a Christ-centered legacy that continues to challenge others. His letters and life continue to inspire believers around the world who seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Application.
Paul’s poignant conclusion reflect that fact that he knows that his work as a mentor, counselor, and teacher has come to an end. Uncertain if he will see Timothy before his execution, he commits his dear friend and protégé to the Lord, reminding him that he needs to draw ever closer to the Lord and be led by the Holy Spirit.
Undoubtedly Timothy would run into challenges, make mistakes (and repent), but Paul’s heart is that the Lord’s grace would be with him, that it would be sufficient as he faced every situation head-on with God’s wisdom and discernment.

This blessing is a fitting way to conclude these two letters to Timothy and for us when we ultimately bid farewell to those that follow in our footsteps in the faith. May we guard our hearts and be ever diligent in seeking out the Lord, that He will nourish our spirit – so that we will choose to remain on His path of righteousness and may His grace be ever with -- and manifested through -- us in the way we engage and impact others so that they too will accept our Lord as master over their lives!

Brothers, I hope that this study of the letters to Timothy has been encouraging and challenging for you as well. Hope to start studying the letter to Titus soon, who can best be described as Paul’s trouble-shooter or resolver of conflicts. Paul had dispatched Titus to Crete to handle some very weighty problems in the Church there. I hope our study of this book will be just as (if not more) fruitful!