2 TIMOTHY 4:9-16 - BRING MY PONCHO & PARCHMENTS PRONTO

2 TIMOTHY 4:9-16

BRING MY PONCHO & PARCHMENTS

PRONTO

2 Timothy 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

Susie: Paul longed to see his son in the faith, Timothy, one more time before his execution. There is urgency in his request because he knows the time of his death is approaching.

2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Susie: Demas had at one time been a faithful coworker of Paul, but had gotten caught up in worldliness and possibly fear of persecution and had fled the scene.

Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Philemon 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

Susan: Demas’s gluttony for the world and its instant gratification overshadowed his hunger for the Gospel and the word of God.

Susie: Crescens was most likely a faithful coworker whom Paul had sent to minister to the Galatians, a people Paul had visited on three missionary journeys. Titus was the other young man Paul referred to as a “son in the faith” and had been sent to minister in Dalmatia.

Susan: Is that where Dalmatian dogs originated?

Susie: Interesting rabbit trail, there, Susan. Googled it. Researchers are not in total agreement as to its origin, but most are in agreement that the breed has not significantly changed from ancient times. Now back to our regularly scheduled Bible Study Ping-Pong.

2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Susan: Luke was the writer of the books of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. He was the Apostle Paul’s faithful friend, confidant, and personal physician.

Susie: Mark, also referred to as John Mark, was a cousin to Barnabas, the encourager who came alongside Paul to introduce him to church leaders who were skeptical of his conversion at first. Mark chickened out and abandoned Paul and Barnabas when they took him along on a missionary endeavor. Because of that, Paul did not want him to travel with him again. However, Barnabas took Mark under his wing and nurtured his budding faith while Paul chose another missionary companion. Many years later, Mark had now proved himself and Paul valued his companionship as a fellow minister and maybe even as a caregiver alongside Luke. Mark wrote the book we know as the Gospel of Mark.

2 Timothy 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

Susan: Tychicus had, in the past, delivered letters to Ephesus (Ephesians. 6:21) and Colosse (Colossians 4:7). He was Paul’s faithful runner as well as a co-minister. He may have been the one to deliver this letter to Timothy and was most likely tasked with the mission of filling in for Timothy while he traveled to Rome to encourage Paul.

Susie: Paul trusted Tychicus with the job of “pulpit supply.”

2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

Susan: The name Carpus means “fruit.”  He is not mentioned in any of Paul’s writings but was obviously a trustworthy friend if Paul had left his cloak with him for safekeeping. The cloak was the ancient version of a poncho, basically a blanket with a hole in the center for the head. Paul would need it as winter was approaching in Rome. He asked that Timothy retrieve his books which would have been scrolls and his parchments. Parchment was made from animal skin and would have been more durable than the papyrus scrolls. These probably contained copies of the Old Testament, Paul’s own writings, and perhaps even blank parchment to write on.

Susie: Even though Paul knew his execution was imminent, he continued to study the word of God, teach those who entered his presence, and proclaim the gospel through his writings.

2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Susie: Often, metal workers fashion idols for pagan worship. Alexander may have been one of them. He was possibly from Ephesus where Timothy ministers. Therefore, Timothy would need to be wary of him. He may have been teaching a false doctrine or opposing the entire gospel message outright. He had not responded to Paul’s admonitions and was apparently trying to draw others away from the truth.

Susan: Notice that Paul left vengeance squarely in the hands of the Lord rather than seeking to avenge himself.

2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Notes from The MacArthur Study Bible:

first defense. The Gr. word for “defense” gives us the Eng. words “apology” and “apologetics.” It referred to a verbal defense used in a court of law. In the Roman legal system, an accused person received two hearings: the prima actio, much like a contemporary arraignment, established the charge and determined if there was a need for a trial. The secunda actio then established the accused’s guilt or innocence. The defense Paul referred to was the prima actio.

Susie: Paul’s companions abandoned him when he had to appear before the judge at his arraignment hearing. He was left alone without the moral support of his friends. However, like our Lord Jesus (Luke 23:34) and Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 7:60), Paul prayed the Lord would forgive them and not count their cowardice against them.

QUESTIONS

1.        Who remained by Paul’s side when all others left?

2.        Who did Paul ask Timothy to bring with him when he came to visit?

3.        What position would Tychicus most likely fill?

4.        What items did Paul ask Timothy to pick up in Troas?

5.        Who waged “much evil” against Paul?

            6.  What did Paul pray on behalf of those  who had left him high and dry at his first hearing?