2Tim 4:6-22

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2Tim 4:6-22 PAUL’S LAST FAREWELL

Knowing that he has faithfully carried out the work God entrusted to him, Paul faces execution with confidence. He looks beyond death to the full enjoyment of salvation that will be experienced by all whose love for Jesus is the controlling force in their lives (2Tim 4:6-8).

Before he dies, Paul would like Timothy to come and visit him. He is disappointed that Demas has preferred the safety and comfort of ordinary life to the danger and hardship of life with Paul. Others have left Rome because of urgent needs in distant places (2Tim 4:9-10).

Paul has valuable help and comfort from Luke. He desires also that Mark come to Rome with Timothy, and that on the way they call at Troas to collect the books and warm clothing that Paul had left with Carpus. Tychicus will provide some help in Ephesus while Timothy is absent on his trip to Rome (2Tim 4:11-13).

Paul warns Timothy to beware of Alexander, a person who did him much harm, possibly as a prosecution witness (2Tim 4:14-15).

After his arrest, when the Roman authorities laid charges against him, Paul had stood alone. No one was willing to witness for him in his defence. But God did not fail him, and gave him the opportunity to proclaim the gospel fully to all present. Because God was with him, he was neither attacked nor silenced (2Tim 4:16-17).

He is therefore confident that God will remain with him through whatever lies ahead and bring him safely into his heavenly kingdom (2Tim 4:18).

Among the Christian friends whom Paul greets in Ephesus are Priscilla and Aquila, the Jewish couple who were among the first to take the gospel to Ephesus. They had now returned to Ephesus after their second period of residence in Rome, and were no doubt of help to Timothy in his difficult task (2Tim 4:19a; cf. Acts 18:1-4,18-26; Rom 16:3).

Another who could help Timothy was Onesiphorus, who was apparently back in Ephesus after his visit to Paul in Rome (2Tim 4:19b; cf. 1:16-18).

Erastus and Trophimus could not yet help Timothy, as they were temporarily in other parts (2Tim 4:20).

Some of the local Christians in Rome, though unable to stay with Paul, visited him occasionally. They join in sending greetings to Timothy. With a final note urging Timothy to come with all speed, Paul signs off for the last time (2Tim 4:21-22).