Text: 2 Timothy 4:9-18
Introduction: The apostle Paul has reached the end of life’s journey. His last days are spent in the Mamertine Prison in Rome. He says it simply, “The time of my departure is at hand.” The word for departure in the original Greek has a dual usage: To loosen a ship from its moorings and to break camp and head home (W. E. Vine Expository Dictionary, p. 295). So this is Paul heading home to Jesus, loosening earthly ties, and being set free for heaven.
One of Paul’s final actions is to pen a review of his 30-year ministry. The spiritual summary can be read in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. He follows these words with some very personal remarks that reveal his humanity, heart, and hope.
1. His Humanity (4:11-13)
Congregations are interested not only in their pastor’s pulpit work but also in his personal life. Here Paul writes about some very human issues.
- His coat: It’s cold in Rome, especially in prison. Paul remembers that he left his coat with Carpus in Troas. He wants Timothy to stop there and pick it up.
- His books: Time is dragging at the Mamertine. He needs his books to read and his parchments to write letters. Paul is committed to be a lifelong learner.
- His company: Here is an urgent plea for Timothy and Mark to come to Rome and spend some time with their mentor. This world traveler is reduced to a cell and only one companion. He longs for more.
2. His Heart (4:9-15)
In 2 Timothy 4:9-18, Paul mentions 17 people by name. It’s a reminder to us that—more than buildings and programs—people are what ministry is all about. And with time on his hands, Paul is in a nostalgic mood as he thinks about those who have been an integral part of his gospel ministry. Some people have been a source of joy, and others an occasion for sadness. Here are some of the people on Paul’s heart in his final days:
- Demas—a disappointment. When we read Colossians 4:14, Demas and Luke were with Paul, a prisoner in Rome, and were helping him in his hired house. This makes Demas’ departure all the more painful. The phrase used is “having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). The rigors of prison life and the probability of Paul’s execution may have frightened off Demas and sent him back to the comforts of Thessalonica. His departure left Paul sad and lonely. Ministry has its disappointments.
- Crescens and Titus—servants. These two have departed, but not like Demas. Crescens and Titus were a joy to Paul. These men were on a mission. One had been sent to Gaul (modern-day Turkey) and the other to Dalmatia (our Croatia). Thank God for those in our church family who are available to be sent! Short-term mission or long-term, backyard club or inner-city mission, these are 21st-century Isaiahs, who say, “Here am I, send me.”
- Luke—loyal. Paul called him “the beloved physician” in Colossians 4:14. At the end of our lives, we see a lot of our doctor. And Paul certainly did—they were in prison together! Luke was on the Macedonian team: He was onboard ship with Paul when they were shipwrecked, and he traveled with him all the way to Rome. How we love the men and women who do not jump overboard when the seas of congregational life get a little rough. They have weathered many storms with their “captain,” and to the pastor these Lukes are loyal!
- Tychicus—dependable. Thank God for this “mail carrier.” For him, Ephesians (6:21-22), Colossians (4:7-8), Titus (3:12), and 2 Timothy were “priority mail.” Guarding the contents of these precious letters, he is believed to be the one who delivered them to their designated readers. And, if so, we are the richer for his dependability as we read the New Testament. Think of the dependable folks in your church who show up, keep their word, and finish the job. If a job needs to be done on time and with excellence, you call on your “Tychicus.”
- Mark—restored. John Mark’s ministry was a real roller-coaster ride: A short ride to Cyprus (Acts 13), a dip back home to Jerusalem, a plunge into a deep valley (Acts 15), and another hill to climb with cousin Barnabas after the team split. The word here is restoration. The first step was a recovery meeting that must have taken place in Colossians 4:10. The final restoration came in words more precious than gold—“profitable and useful.” Mark was back in Paul’s good graces. Paul had written the encouragement for gentle restoration (Gal. 6:1), and here he demonstrated how. Failure can be the back door to success!
- Alexander—harmful. Alexander “did me much harm.” What did he do that was so harmful that the apostle wanted to raise the red flag for young Timothy? “He has greatly resisted our words” (2 Tim. 4:15). When? Where? How? Since pastoral critics are present in epidemic numbers today, we wish we had more details. One of our greatest “woes” in pastoral work today is the people who undermine our ministries with critical and negative words and who sow discord in the church family. This is a valuable text. It is honest in it’s warning: Beware! But it is also amazing for it’s absence of revenge. Can we, with God’s grace, turn injustice and the desire for revenge over to the God of justice?
- Timothy—loved. Paul’s warmest memories and most encouraging words are saved for Timothy. He was Paul’s son in the faith. They worked together as a father-son team. Paul mentored him (2 Tim. 3) and they traveled together. There is urgency in Paul’s tone to “come before winter.” From his shipwreck experience, Paul new the danger of sailing in winter to Rome. Paul had been praying for Timothy’s 800-mile trip day and night (2 Tim.1:3-4). When we have close friends who are deeply loved, we long to see them when we are separated.
3. His Hope
“Come before winter.” Did he make it? We will never know until we reach heaven. The preacher Clarence McCartney had a sermon he preached annually to his church: “Come Before Winter.” In it, he urged his church family not to neglect the urgent calls from family. Not to miss the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If we do, we will live with regrets.
