Be diligent to come to me soon, for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works, of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Thoughts
This passage drives home to my heart the importance of relying on God rather than men. A good many of Paul’s helpers bailed on him. These were men he trusted. These were men who had served side by side with him. They went back to the world. They turned their backs on the work God had given them to do. This passage also strikes a chord of fear in me. Daily I go about the business of doing what I believe God has called me to do—to write to edify my fellow Christ followers—but there is the constant siren’s song of the world calling me. It would be easier if I had a job; a job would take away some of the stress we endure monthly waiting for God to meet our physical and financial needs; and frankly, it would take away some of the boredom that we must endure in any war. I pray that God will strengthen me. That he will give me a steadfast spirit to do what he’s given me to do. I pray that he will continue to let me “make tents” as the opportunities present themselves. I pray that he will forgive me for even listening to the world.
Do you have a personal work of God that you’re engaged in? If not, are you willing to ask God, and by asking God I mean pounding on his door nightly until he answers, for the personal work he wants you to do?
Questions
- Have one-time Christ-followers left your life? How does that feel? Does it affect your faith?
- An interesting note here about Mark. Paul says “he is useful to me for service.” That’s a big deal. Read Paul’s former opinion about Mark in Acts 15:36-41.
- Paul asks Timothy to round up his belongings and bring them to him: a cloak, some books, and some parchments. If you asked someone to round up your belongings in the last chapter of your life, what would you ask for?
- “May it not be held against them…” This is a common theme in the Christ-follower’s life. Are you able to say that about those who have done you wrong?
- Has the Lord stood by you and strengthened you in times of need? Tell your fellow Christ-followers about these times often.
- Paul says, “the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom.” Church tradition says that Paul—as well as many other apostles—were martyred. Is this a contradiction?
Experience
In this passage, we see a very real man wrapping up his life. Sometimes I forget that the Christ, apostles, and disciples I read about in the New Testament were flesh and blood just like me. They had body and joint pain, rashes, bad breath; they had fears, hopes, and ambitions; they had families. And they were able to overcome through running after God with all they had. It’s no different today. We have the same access to God through Jesus Christ as they had. We have the same access to his Holy Spirit as they had. We just have to relentlessly pursue God like they did.
Prayer
Father, today I pray for my generation. I pray for our eyes to be opened to just how awesome and desirable you truly are. Father, help us to close our eyes to the unnecessary things of this world and pursue you with all that we have. May you become our overriding passion and may it blot out wants, even our needs. May we become re-acquainted with your Holy Spirit—not like we think we know him now, but how Paul knows your Spirit, like Timothy knows your Spirit, like Jesus knows your Spirit. Help us to be fully powered by your Spirit and by your Spirit alone. May the world see the difference in our lives charged by your Spirit, and may they want to know why we’re different. Give us the boldness you gave Paul and Timothy and also with their God-fueled gentleness, humility, and grace, help us to explain that it is our Father and Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit that makes us different and that life is theirs too if they are willing to pursue you with all that they have. Amen.
