Do your best to come soon [cf. Tit 3:12; 2 Tim 2:15; 4:21].
● 2 Tim 1:4 — As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with
joy.
● 4:21 will add “before winter” thus Paul will want his cloak (4:13).
● Paul envisions a gap between his current legal status and his execution.
Remember the length of trials in Acts 24-28 (esp. Acts 28:30).
● Paul is wanting to be surrounded by friends who have stood by him.
Demas
● “Love with this now age” vs. “loved his appearing” (4:6)
● A former coworker of Paul mentioned during Paul’s imprisonment in Col 4:14 and Phlm 24 (associated there with Luke and Mark).
Other Travel Updates:
● Crescens to Galatia—nothing more is known
● Titus—Titus to Dalmatia, north of Nicopolis where he was to meet Paul earlier in Titus 3:12.
● Luke alone is with me—remember that some suggest Luke may have had a role in the composition of these letters (Gordon Fee, Pastoral Epistles, 26-31; 294). Perhaps even playing a role as a personal physician to Paul. [note: Luke-Acts written c. 60-61 just a few years earlier].
● Mark
− Paul’s tension with Barnabas and Mark (Acts 15:37–41) predated Paul’s arrival in Lystra (Acts 16:1).
− Mark had already joined back up with Paul in Col 4:10 & Phlm 24.
− “He is useful” (2 Tim 2:21)
● Tychicus
− One of Paul’s many travel companions. Acts 20:4 mentions him in the context of Troas (2 Tim 4:13).
− Previously he carried both letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians.
− Likely carrying this letter (“I sent” being an epistolary aorist as in Eph 6:21-22). He was likely coming to relieve Timothy who could travel to Rome (as in Tit 3:12).
Cloak
● A heavy overcoat like a poncho often made out of wool or goat hair. The average man owned only one of these.
● Was Paul arrested in Troas this cloak left with Carpus? Either way Timothy could travel through Troas on his way to Rome.
Books and parchments
● What were these?
− Legal documents?
− Copies of letters?
− Scripture and notes? − Unknown
● Recent scholarship has argued for the common use of journals/notebooks by the students of first century rabbis and philosophers. It is likely that Jesus’ disciples did as well.
Alexander the Coppersmith
● Which Alexander?
− Same Alexander from 1 Tim 1:19-20 who was handed over to Satan?
− Same Alexander from Acts 19:33 who is still nursing a grudge from his humiliation in front of the angry crowd who rejected his defense as a Jewish representative?
− Other? Whoever he was, this Alexander may have caused Paul’s arrest (possibly in Troas) which is why Paul’s belongings are still there. The phrase “did me great harm” is more literally “demonstrated to me great harm” (often a legal term of showing proof or evidence). Thus, Paul leaves vindication for this injustice to the Lord who “will repay him according to his deeds” (quoting Ps 62:12, echoed in Rom 2:4). It is hypothesized that Paul mentions him in this context of Troas to warn Timothy who will be traveling that route—“beware of him yourself” (4:15).
At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.
● cf. 1:15 “all who are in Asia turned away from me...”
● Defense – preliminary hearing of the case (prima actio). If sufficient grounds for the case were warranted, then a formal trial would follow (secuna actio).
● Deserted me (like Demas in 4:10)
− Ps 22:1 “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
− Ps 22:11 “Be not far...for trouble is near and there is none to help.”
May it not be charged against them.
● Echoes of Jesus in Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them...”
● Echoes of Stephen in Acts 7:60 “Lord do not hold this sin against them.”
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.
● Ps 22:20-21—“But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!”
● Stood by—who better to have at your side as an advocate?
(cf. 2 Tim 2:15—“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved.”)
● Strengthened
1:7 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of :power: and love and self-control
1:8 Share in suffering for the gospel by the :power: of God
1:12 I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day
2:1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus
2:13 He cannot deny himself
3:5 Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its :power:
3:7 Always learning but never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth
3:15 Writings which are able to make you wise for salvation
4:17 The Lord stood by me and strengthened me
That the message might fully be proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it
● Paul’s calling and mission has now been completed (2 Tim 4:7).
● Acts 9:15–16 But the Lord said to him [Ananias], “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
● Ps 22:20-21, “Save/rescue me from the mouth of the lion!”
● Possibly an allusion to Rome and/or death
The Lord will rescue me ...and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.
● Ps 22:26-28, “The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever!...for kingship belongs to the Lord...”
Final Greetings & Travel Updates:
● Prisca and Aquila
− Rome-Corinth (Acts 18:1-3)
− Ephesus (Acts 18:18-26; 1 Cor 16:19)
− Rome (Rom 16:3-4)
− Ephesus again now (2 Tim 4:19)
● Household of Onesiphorus – see notes on 1:16-18.
● Erastus remained at Corinth.
− Erastus who was sent with Timothy to Macedonia in Acts 19:22?
− The official in Rom 16:23?
● I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus
− From Ephesus who traveled with Paul (Acts 20:4; 21:29).
− Miletus is 30 miles south of Ephesus.
● Do your best to come before winter (thus the need for the cloak in 4:13)
● Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia – unknown background (3/4 Latin names)
Final Words—The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
If you would like to contact Jim to further discuss 2 Timothy, you can reach him by emailing dalrymple.jim@occ.edu.
