2 Timothy 4:9-15

REQUEST FOR TIMOTHY TO COME BACK

TO PAUL 2 Timothy 4:9-15

Text 4:9-15

9 Give diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering. 12 But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: 15 of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.

Thought Questions 4:9-15

218.

Why the urgency in the request to come to Paul?

219.

Where was Paul when Demas forsook him? Demas loved this present world. What was the basic fault?

220.

Is there any significance in the place where Demas went upon forsaking Paul? If so, what?

221.

Was there any blame in Crescens going to Galatia or Titus to Dalmatia?

222.

Paul's attitude toward Mark has changed since we last heard of him. Explain,

223.

Why send Tychicus to Ephesus?

224.

If Paul was so near death, why request the cloak, books and parchments?

225.

Do we know anything of the Alexander mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:14? What is meant by saying, The Lord will render to him according to his works? Is this vindictive? Explain.

226.

Why would Alexander the coppersmith be a problem to Timothy?

Paraphrase 4:9-15

9 As I have a great desire to see thee, make haste to come to me soon.
10 For Demas, in particular, having loved the present world more than was fit, hath forsaken me, and is gone to Thessalonica, expecting to be in more safety there than at Rome; Crescens is gone into Galatia, and Titus into Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. His attachment to me, and his zeal for the cause of Christ, are the more remarkable, that all my other assistants have left me. In thy way call on Mark, and bring him with thee, for he will be very useful to me in the ministry of the Gospel.
12 But when Tychicus comes to thee, do not think he hath behaved like Demas: I have sent him to Ephesus to supply thy place.
13 The bag which I left at Troas with Carpus, in my way from Ephesus after parting with thee, bring when thou comest, and the books contained in that bag, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith hath done me many ill offices here. In particular, he hath stirred up both the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles in Rome against me. The Lord reward him according to his works.
15 Of that wicked person be thou also aware, wherever thou happenest to meet with him, for he hath greatly contradicted the things which I advanced in my first answer.

Comment 4:9-15

2 Timothy 4:9. It would appear that Paul is lonely. He longs for the companionship of one who knew him better than any other; one who shared with him the same concern for the advance of the kingdom. If Timothy did not hurry, it would be too late. There were yet many little matters of personal interest to discuss in the midst of disappointments and desertions and even death; he longed to see one whom he could trust.

2 Timothy 4:10. Colossians 4:14; Philippians 1:24 indicates Demas was once a trusted co-laborer. Paul might well have said, Demas has left me in the lurch. Some love His appearing; others love this present world. The love for this present age is not centered on any one thing. It is the desire for the world's false security and pleasure that produces men like Demas. Why did Demas go to Thessalonica? Did he go there because he wished to carry on a trade? Because it was his home? It is useless to ask. The point is, that he went to the world to satisfy the desires of his heart; this was the wrong direction, regardless of where he went geographically.

We know nothing of the man here called Crescens or what he did in Galatia. Why Paul sent Titus to Dalmatia we do not know

2 Timothy 4:11. By saying, only Luke is with me, we are not to understand that Paul is all alone, for 2 Timothy 4:21 indicates there were a number of other friends with him. Luke was the only fellow-worker of those several who labored with Paul, who yet remained in Rome. We need not remind the reader that this is the Luke who wrote the Third Gospel and also the Book of Acts.

John Mark has redeemed himself in the eyes of Paul, In an earlier reference, he was with Paul in Rome (Cf. Colossians 4:10). There was a time when Paul would have said the exact opposite of what he said here of John Mark (Cf. Acts 15:38-39).

The faith of Barnabas in John Mark paid off. Whether Paul wanted Mark as a personal helper, or as one to minister the Word, is not at all clear from the context; either one could be true.

2 Timothy 4:12. Perhaps this is a reference to the coming of the replacement for Timothy. Tychicus was a busy man. He was sent to Ephesus and Colossia to bear the three letters of Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon (Cf. Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7). He could have been sent to Crete to replace Titus (Titus 3:12). He was with Paul on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:5).

2 Timothy 4:13. Paul is intent on a visit from Timothy. The detailed instructions in these verses (2 Timothy 4:9-15), all relate to Timothy's preparation for the visit. Mark is to accompany Timothy; he is also to bring something besides John Mark. There is some disagreement among commentators as to whether Paul is requesting a cloak, or a portfolio for holding books. We prefer the thought of a cloak, 2 Timothy 4:21 speaks of the winter when a warm cloak would be most welcome, Are we to believe that even in his last hours Paul wanted to read, and hence, the reference to bringing the books and parchments? We like Lenski's suggestion that these were copies of the Old Testament books which Paul wanted to use in his defense. These were personal copies which he had used over the years. He wanted to prove that his religion was but a fulfillment of the Jewish religion and offered no threat to the Roman government. This is only a matter of opinion, but it seems to be a good one.

2 Timothy 4:14. Why mention Alexander the coppersmith at this particular time? It was either because Alexander was on his way to Ephesus and would give Timothy trouble when he arrived, or that Timothy would meet him in Rome and would need preparation and warning. It is useless speculation to try to relate this Alexander with any other mentioned in the New Testament who wore the same name. A coppersmith is one who works in metals. not necessarily only in copper or brass, but in all metals, Just where and when or how Alexander did Paul much evil, is not known; it is usually made to relate to Paul's defense before the court. Paul is prophetic, instead of vindictive, when he says, the Lord will render to him according to his works.

2 Timothy 4:15. It is a problem as to when or where Timothy would meet Alexander. It is also a problem as to what words are meant. Did Alexander oppose the words of the Gospel, or did he oppose Paul's testimony at the Roman Court?

Fact Questions 4:9-15

152.

Why did Paul want Timothy to visit him in Rome?

153.

What is wrong with love for this present world?

154.

Why did Demas go to Thessalonica?

155.

How are we to understand the expression, only Luke is with me?

156.

Paul changed his mind about John Mark. Explain.

157.

Why mention Tychicus (2 Timothy 4:12)?

158.

Why request the books and parchments?

159.

Alexander the coppersmith showed Paul much evil. When and where?

160.

Why warn Timothy concerning Alexander?