AM Bible Study Group; February 18, 2015 from 2 Timothy 4:19-22
Theme: Paul’s final words in his closing letter reveals to Timothy the things that are on his heart.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
We come this morning to the final words of Paul’s amazing second letter to Pastor Timothy. It has been a letter that is noteworthy for being the letter in the Bible that he wrote last—the letter that he composed shortly before he was executed for his faith. We have also seen that it is noteworthy because of its themes—all of which constitute a call for our serious devotion to the faith in the various roles God places us in within His church. Chapter 1 focused on how we are to be accepting of affliction for the cause of the gospel; Chapter 2 on how we are to be approved before God in our service to that gospel, Chapter 3 on how we are to be aware of apostasy from that gospel; and Chapter 4 on how we are to be active in service to the Lord Jesus Christ—who’s gospel it is that we proclaim.
And one of the most outstanding features of this remarkable little letter is its passion. We find that the apostle Paul bears his soul in it to us more than just about any other of his writings. There was no theologian more accurate, no preacher more courageous, no missionary more sacrificial, and no servant more steadfast than Paul. But it would also be hard to find a follower of Jesus more compassionate than him. In all his passion and drive, he was truly a great lover of people.
In these closing words—sitting in a prison cell for his faith—we can see something of the things that truly dominated his heart toward Timothy and the many other people he loved. They can be summed up in five “wants” . . .
1. “I WANT TO PRESERVE THE CONNECTIONS” (v. 19).
He writes to Timothy and asks that he pass on some greetings to others. He may have been far away from those he loved and with whom he served; but he didn’t want the connections to be lost. First among those that he wanted to greet—who also happened to be first in his greetings in the last chapter of his letter to the Romans—were his two friends Priscilla and Aquila. He refers here to Priscilla by her shortened name when he writes, “Greet Prisca and Aquila . . .” Aquilla was the husband; and Priscilla his wife. But it’s interesting to note that, in most of the references to them in Scripture, Priscilla is mentioned first. It may be that she was the one who was most gifted in the upfront areas of ministry; and Aquilla was a humble but faithful husband under whose Christ-like headship she served. We first encounter them as the ones that Paul became attached to in Corinth—he having been of the same trade as them (Acts 18:1-3). They later became a part of Paul’s missionary team (Acts 18:18). They weren’t just hanging on to Paul’s shirt-tails, though. God used them independently to mentor the mighty apologist Apollo in the faith (Acts 18:24-28). Later, Paul was able to pass their greetings on to the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:19). Just how important they were to Paul can be seen from what he says about them in Romans 16:3-5; “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” No wonder he wanted to keep in touch with them!
Paul also asked Timothy to pass on greetings to “the household of Onesiphorus”. This man Onesiphorus—who clearly lived up to his name “Profit-Bringer”—is mentioned at the beginning of this letter (1:16-18)—someone whose devotion Timothy knew very well. In contrast to those who had turned away from Paul, Onesiphorus was very devoted and sacrificial—often refreshing Paul, unashamed of his chains, and earnestly seeking Paul out. The way Paul only mentions Onesiphorus’ household, along with Paul’s words of commending him to the Lord in 1:18, has caused some to wonder if perhaps Onesiphorus had lost his life—perhaps even in the service to the Lord. Paul wanted very much to stay connected to those who were members of the household of this beloved man. Timothy served Paul by keeping these connections going. We can do the same for one another.
2. “I WANT TO KEEP YOU INFORMED” (v. 20).
Paul was not only concerned that Timothy keep him in the loop. He also wanted to keep Timothy in the loop too. He passed on news of the doings of others. He wrote, “Erastus stayed in Corinth . . .” Erastus was a man that Paul once sent on a very serious endeavor with Timothy (Acts 19:22). It may have had something to do with the collection for the Jewish people that was being gathered by the churches in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 8). Another man named Erastus is mentioned in Romans 16:23—apparently a brother in Christ who was also the treasurer of the city of Corinth; but there’s no certainty that it’s the same man. But in any case, the Erastus about whom Paul wrote to Timothy was a close associate of Timothy’s; and Paul wanted to keep him informed of Erastus’ activities.
He also let him know this sad piece of news: “but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.” Miletus (see Acts 20:13-38) was a city not far from Ephesus; and so, Paul sent this fellow-laborer there in his illness—whatever that illness may have been. Trophimus is important to the story of Paul. He was one of the men—along with Timothy—who accompanied Paul in his trip through Macedonia. But when Paul finally went to Jerusalem, the Jewish people thought that he had brought Trophimus—a Gentile—into the temple (Acts 21:29). And that’s when the troubles started that led to Paul’s long arrest. It may be that Trophimus was distressed and perhaps sick over the thought that so many of Paul’s troubles came about because of him. But clearly Paul didn’t feel that way. Whatever the illness may have been, Paul loved Trophimus—and he also loved Timothy enough to keep him informed about Trophimus.
3. “I WANT YOUR PERSONAL FELLOWSHIP” (v. 21a).
Paul had already expressed his deep love for his younger ministry associate at the beginning of this letter. He wrote, “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.1:3-5). What’s more, others had abandoned Paul (see 4:9-10). And so, when he writes to Timothy, “Do your utmost to come before winter”, it’s easy to see it in the light of his longing for Timothy’s fellowship. They had, after all, been through much together; and Paul longed for his friend’s company in his greatest hours of trial. But with winter coming up, there also may be the need for practical care. Earlier, Paul wrote, “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come . . .” (v. 13). Paul—the great theologian of the New Testament and apostle of the gospel—longed for his friend.
4. “I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW VALUED YOU ARE” (v. 21b).
He also wanted Timothy to know that there were others who longed for him. He mentions a series of names that we do not know in any other way than by Paul’s mention of them here in this passage; and he writes, “Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.” It must have meant a great deal to Timothy to know that he was valued so much by these others. We can serve each other in the body by passing on the encouraging knowledge of how much we mean to one another.
5. “I WANT GOD TO BLESS AND KEEP YOU” (v. 22).
Paul could perhaps express no greater love to Timothy than by the closing words, “The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” Paul would be taken from Timothy. Timothy would no longer have the guidance of his beloved mentor. But the Lord Jesus would be with him. Paul prays that the Lord would be a present held and support to Timothy’s inner being and attitude of heart. And he prayed for the Lord’s constant sufficiency to be freely given to Timothy for every need. We couldn’t love each other more than to wish God to bless and sustain each other in this way.