2 Timothy 4:9-22

Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessolonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
 - 2 Timothy 4:9-22

As Paul wraps up his letter to Timothy, he mentions Demas. It would seem that Paul was relying on Demas during this time and was then deserted by him to some degree of distress to Paul as he wants Timothy to come soon. Perhaps this was because Paul was in need of someone to help lift his spirits about that situation.

In further speculation about this section, he lists where other people have gone, Crescens and Titus, perhaps because he is trying to let Timothy know that he doesn't have as many options as he would like to have some of his most trusted disciples available.

He mentions bringing Mark, and some suppose that this is the same Mark that Paul actually had a bit of a falling out with in Acts 15. It is not clear whether that is the same Mark or not. He does mention having Luke with him, so that helps to corroborate much of Luke's writing in Acts since he mentions "we" quite a bit during their time together.

Paul tends to some housekeeping as he also asks Timothy to bring him certain things and then he warns him about Alexander, the coppersmith. Interestingly, Paul's denouncing of Alexander seems somewhat tame. He defers to the Lord for judgement of him and does little more than warn Timothy to be wary of him. He doesn't get into detail about what happened as that seems not to matter at this point. It is enough for Timothy to know that he will get some opposition from him if they were to meet.

The next passage is quite interesting. Paul talks about being abandoned by everyone during his trial, but then is quick to ask for this to be forgiven. Without knowing more of the historical context, one might assume that it was a somewhat dangerous thing to stand up for a person accused such as Paul was. Besides, the disciples had abandoned Jesus Himself when He was arrested, yet they went on to start the Church. So, Paul does not see this as a deep betrayal or an unforgivable offense.

Rather than concern himself with that, Paul leans on the Lord and rejoices in the fact that he ends up with an opportunity to share the gospel with some of the more powerful people in Rome. It may have been a popular trial, too, as he mentions that "all the Gentiles might hear." So, there may have been quite a lot of people there to witness this trial.

Paul then reiterates several points of faith about how the Lord will bring him through tials and tribulations. He will have an eternal reward ready for him and Paul will spend eternity reveling in the glory of God.

Finally, Paul sends his greetings through Timothy to some friends, gives a quick update on the status of a couple other people and once again asks Timothy to come as quickly as he can, preferably before Winter. Remember, during the Winter, travel often slowed quite a bit. Paul seems to know that his time is quite limited at this point and if Timothy does not get there before Winter, he probably will not be able to get to Rome until the Spring and Paul does not likely believe he will make it to the Spring.

That will wrap things up for 2 Timothy. I've learned quite a bit and always am fascinated that, as I study a particular part of scripture, I end up hearing things from that section of scripture coming up a lot during weekend services and other studies and conversations.

Come back next time and we'll start into another book. Until then, grace, love and peace.