In verses 6-8, we saw a
triumphant Paul. Doubtless he was a spiritual giant, but he was also human,
made of flesh and blood. Thus, he was equally susceptible to the human
tendencies of disappointment and loneliness. These final verses ooze with
intense feelings of loneliness. At this point of his life, he was confined to a
cold dingy dungeon awaiting martyrdom. He had a lot of time to think about the
things and people whom he had worked with.
While verses 9-22 provide
insights into the greatness of Paul and the substance he was made of, these
verses also show the human side of him. He was feeling lonely and abandoned.
While he was disappointed with certain people, he also felt confident in the
Lord. Here you almost sense the pain and hurt of the apostle. Being the
gracious man that he was, it is inconceivable to think that he would not pray
for the people who had hurt him. However, here he was writing to Timothy in the
winter of his life and voicing some of his desires, disappointments and
concerns. The person he longed most to see was Timothy. So he wrote asking him
to make every effort to come to him soon (verse 9). Next he mentioned Demas,
who backslid and went to Thessalonica (verse 10). Demas started well but was
enticed along the way and left for the world. Crescens and Titus were probably
sent on assignments to Galatia and Dalmatia respectively.
Luke, the physician and Paul’s
traveling companion, was the only person with him. Paul fondly recalled John
Mark who once deserted him. Mark had turned around and had become useful to
Paul. So the lonely apostle asked Timothy to bring Mark along to see him. He
had also sent Tychicus to Ephesus, probably to stand in for Timothy while the
latter made his way to Rome to see the aged apostle.
Timothy was told to bring along
the cloak, which Paul left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, especially the
parchments. So lonely was Paul that he yearned for Timothy to keep him company,
the cloak to keep him warm and the books and parchments to keep him occupied.
Next he mentioned Alexander the
coppersmith. His trade was mentioned to help in identification, for Alexander
was a common name. He also warned Timothy to be on guard against him. He could
have been the one who was responsible for Paul’s arrest and imprisonment.
Furthermore, he opposed their teachings vigorously.
Paul then went on to mention
how at his first trial no one stood by him. He was without support from anyone
as everyone had deserted him. Nevertheless, he prayed that nothing would be
held against them.
But through his trials, Paul
was conscious that the Lord was with him. The Lord stood with him,
strengthening and enabling him to proclaim the Gospel fully. He preached
largely to a Gentile audience during his trials and he was delivered out of the
lion’s mouth. Perhaps like Peter, he saw the devil as a roaring lion seeking to
devour him. He was confident that in spite of all the challenges, difficulties,
disappointment, loneliness, hurt and pain, the Lord will bring him safely to
His Kingdom. With that he swelled in praise of God: To Him be the glory forever
and ever. Amen.
In closing, He greeted Prisca
and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. He mentioned that he left Erastus
at Corinth and Trophimus at Miletus. The sickness that Trophimus suffered from
was not stated, but he was sick and Paul left him at Miletus. He made one final
call for Timothy to make every effort to come to him. With that, he rounded up
by sending the greetings of Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the
brethren, presumably those at Rome, to Timothy. He wished the Lord to be with
Timothy’s spirit and prayed that grace be with him.
We are
surrounded by people in our journey. Some are people we really need in order to
reach our goals in life. There would be those that we should be cautious about,
and there are also many who can help and carry us along in our endeavors. There
are also those that we need to carry to help them reach their goals. Let’s
encourage or correct those that need it when the situation calls for, but with
all people, let us be discerning.
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