Titus Study #2

“Building the Team”

Titus 1:5-9

Study #2 in Titus Series

INTRODUCTION:

Christian ministry is a team endeavor. It has been from the very beginning. Jesus hand-picked 12 men to be with Him and to become His apostles. He spent three years with them, teaching them, training them, and equipping them for a lifetime of ministry. Later He had a team of 70 that He sent out 2 by 2 to preach the Good News, to heal the sick, and to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Paul also was seldom alone because he understood that a team approach to ministry is the most effective strategy. He teamed up with Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, Aquila and Priscilla, Luke, Epaphroditus, and many others over the years. They worked together, prayed together, suffered together, and rejoiced together.

In our text for this study, we hear Paul telling Titus that he needs to build a team of fellow workers to continue and advance the church-planting ministry in Crete. 

TRANSITION:

To get us back up to speed, let’s review the first four verses of Titus just to refresh our minds.

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth, which is according to godliness, ² in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, ³ but at the proper time manifested, even His Word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, ⁴ To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

NOTES on the Text:

Now look at Verse 5: For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

·       So, in this verse Paul reminds Titus of the two (2) reasons why he left him in Crete:

1.    “That you would set in order what remains” – Paul and Titus working together had started the work in Crete. They had gotten things up and running. People had come to faith in Christ in several of the towns, and they were meeting together regularly for prayer, for the study of the Word, for fellowship, and for the breaking of bread (Communion). These were Christian congregations. But they were all made up of baby Christians, people very new in the faith. They needed to be instructed in the things of God, to be discipled, and to become grounded in the truth. So, Paul left Titus in Crete to carry on the work that had been started. He did the very same thing with Timothy in Ephesus. Paul was primarily a church planter and a traveling evangelist. He was very good at getting new congregations started. But churches also need pastors and teachers and capable lay leaders who will be there for the long-haul. Who better to do that in Crete than Titus, one of the founders of the ministry, a man already known, loved, and trusted.

2.    “…and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” This tells us several things: First, there was more than one Christian congregation in Crete. Evidently the Gospel had spread very effectively so that groups of Christians were now meeting in many towns and villages. And each of those groups needed and deserved to have godly, well-trained leaders. But how do you get those kinds of leaders? That’s the second thing—You must raise them up, train them, and then appoint them. You must apply 2 Timothy 2:2 in which Paul tells Timothy: “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” So, in the same way that Paul had discipled, trained, and appointed Timothy and Titus, they in turn now must find, train, and appoint others to carry on the same ministry in these new little churches that were springing up everywhere. The third thing I see in this phrase is the word “elders.” Notice that the word is plural, not singular. The model we see in the New Testament is a plurality of elders working together, leading the church. But what kind of men are those exactly? 

Let’s take a little side trip for a couple of minutes. Then we will come back to Titus.

The English word “elder” that we find here in verse 6 is the Greek word presbúteros. This was a common and well-established Jewish concept in Paul’s time.

·       The Jews had elders from way back when Moses chose 70 men to help him rule Israel (cf. Numbers 11:16). Over time this group came to be known as “the Sanhedrin.” Men were chosen to be a part of the Sanhedrin based on their knowledge of Scriptures as well as their personal dignity and maturity.

·       Moreover, every synagogue had elders. They were seen as the leaders of the Jewish community.

·       The presiding body of the Spartans was the Gerousía, from the Greek word géros, or “old man,” (n.b. our word “geriatric”) thus, a board of the older men.

·       The Latin word senex means “a wise old man.” The Roman Senate was so named because it was the “assembly of wise old men” i.e., the elders.

·       In England the term used was “aldermen” which means older men.

·       Egyptian villages were overseen by the village elders.

·       In all these cases, the emphasis is on the experience and age of the person and on his character.

Besides the word presbúteros, the Bible uses another word to describe those who lead the church. It is a synonym. Paul uses it in verse 7 to refer to the very same person and the very same office. It is the word “overseer” and sometimes translated by the word “bishop.” It is the Greek word, epíscopos (from epi = over, plus scópos, to see, to look, or to examine.)

·       This word is used of masters, managers, and foremen.

·       It is sometimes used of commissioners and magistrates.

·       The emphasis is on the person’s work and job description.

·       It points to the function and the office of the person rather than to their character.

God calls and gifts all Christians for service, and He expects all of us to grow to maturity in Christ. However, some, like cream, rise to the surface demonstrating not only godly character and spiritual wisdom, but also the ability to lead others. After careful examination and evaluation these are publicly elevated to positions of authority in the Body of Christ.

1.    This involves being officially and formally set apart unto ministry, i.e., ordination.

2.    This, only after the candidate has undergone a period of testing (1 Tim. 3:10).

3.    He is to be paid a fair wage for his work so that he is free to serve the church (1 Tim. 5:18).

4.    He is liable to censure and removal if he falls into sin (1 Tim. 5:19-22).

5.    He has the duty of presiding over the assembly and teaching the congregation (1 Tim. 5:17).

6.    He is not to be a recent convert but a proven man with some spiritual miles on him.

Now let’s drop back into our text. Look at Titus1:6.

Verse 6: …namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.

·       In this verse Paul lays out five (5) Social and Domestic Qualifications for an “elder.”

1.    “…is above reproach” – This means unaccused and unaccusable, with nothing laid to his charge, blameless, above criticisms or accusations, past or present. The Greek word is anégklētos (ἀνέγκλητος), and is the same word used in 1 Tim. 3:10 in the same context.

2.    “…the husband of one wife” – This verse gets on the nerves of our enlightened left-leaning feminist sisters because the Scripture affirms not only here but in several other texts as well, that the primary leadership role in the local church is reserved for certain specially qualified males. Not only are they to be males but married men with children if possible. That was the norm for local church leaders in the Early Church. In this modern egalitarian age, many people view this restriction as an outdated standard that should be changed, but I believe there are good reasons to stick with the practice, which we will discuss more later.

3.    “…having children who believe” – In other words, children who have trusted in Christ, who are in the Faith. This is not, and has never been, a hard and fast rule because once young people reach adulthood their parents no longer have any authoritative influence over them. But still, Christian leaders with believing children is still the template, and what we should be aiming for.

4.    “…not accused of dissipation” – Here Paul uses the Greek word asōtía (ἀσωτία), which literally means “unsavedness” but by implication suggests a reckless, abandoned, dissolute, riotous life spent on selfish personal pleasure.

5.    “… [not accused of] rebellion” – Here Paul uses another complicated word, anupótaktos (ἀνυπότακτος), which means undisciplined, out of control, unruly, and guilty of public disorder. N.B. A man’s inability to train and lead a family creates a presumption of his inability to train and lead the church.

Verse 7: For the overseer [Gr. epíscopos] must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,

·       In verses 7-8 Paul focuses on 12 Personal Qualifications of elders/overseers. Verse 7 lists 6 of them, seen from the negative side. Verse 8 lists 6 more of them but seen from the positive angle.

1.    “…above reproach as God’s steward” = i.e., unreproachable, as in vs. 6. The elder/overseer is God’s house manager or administrator [Gr. oikonómos]. I believe it is noteworthy that Paul uses this same phrase, above reproach, twice in two verses. It must be pretty important!

2.    “…not self-willed” – Paul here refers to that self-loving spirit that seeks to gratify self in arrogant disregard of others (Gr. authádēs αὐθάδης from autos = “self” + hedomai = “pleasing” i.e., hedonism). – My opinions, my way, my best interests, my rights, my pleasures, etc.

3.    “…not quick tempered” – Means soon angry, quick tempered, easily flaring up at people (Gr. ὀργίλος = prone to anger, irascible, grouchy)

4.    “…not addicted to wine” – Literally “not one who sits alongside of wine;” not addicted to it or influenced by it, because it leads to violent quarrels and angry outbursts.

5.    “…not pugnacious” – Not quick with his fists, given to bodily violence (KJV, “a striker”). Also, not quick with hurtful words, browbeating, bullying, or bad-tempered. Remember, Jesus was reviled but did not revile in return.

6.    “…not fond of sordid gain” – He must not be eager for shameful gain, the kind who wants money and does not care what he must do or who he must step on to get it. The KJV translates this as “not greedy of filthy lucre.” Remember, money is not the problem. Rather, “…the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Verse 8: …but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

·       Here in verse 8 Paul continues to list the 12 Personal Qualifications of the elders/overseers. As I mentioned, Verse 7 lists 6 of them, stated from the negative perspective. Verse 8 lists 6 more of them but from the positive perspective.

7.    “…hospitable” – A lover of hospitality (lit. “a lover of strangers”), possessing an open heart with an open home.

8.    “…loving what is good” – A lover of goodness (things and people)

9.    “…sensible” – Serious-minded, not frivolous, and therefore watchful, vigilant, and self-controlled.

10. “…just” – Means upright in his dealings with others; honest and fair.

11. “…devout” – He is holy, pure, unpolluted, free from the stain of sin.

12. “…self-controlled” – Literally, “one in control of strength,” meaning able to control his own appetites and desires, and temperate (moderate) in all things.

Verse 9: …holding fast the faithful word, which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

·       In this verse Paul gives three (3) important Doctrinal Qualifications for elders/overseers.

1.    “…holding fast the faithful word” – True to the Faith, clinging to the Word of God in the face of opposition and temptation to abandon it, i.e., doctrinal stability – having such a tight grip that it cannot be knocked out of his hand and heart.

2.    “…able to exhort in sound doctrine” – This is his ministry to believers, encouraging, exhorting, challenging, correcting, and teaching. In 1 Timothy 3:2 Paul includes “…able to teach” as one of the qualifications for elder. It’s just a different way of saying the same thing he says here in Titus 1:9. “…able to exhort in sound doctrine” or “able to teach” mean the same thing. This quality is the main difference between a deacon and an elder.

3.    “…able to refute those who contradict” – This is the elder’s ministry to refute, convict, and set straight the critics, back-talkers, and opponents of the faith.

CONCLUSION:

I see two possible approaches to solving our need for more good leaders in the local church.

1.    We can whine, whinge, and complain about not having enough good leaders in the church, pitifully crying out, “God has not given us the people we need!” In other words, we can bellyache and blame God.

2.    OR (and this has two parts)

a.    We can resolve to become the kind of people that all of us should be anyway and begin to fill in the gaps and do the work of God, title or no title, letting our light shine in such a way that the church will recognize our usefulness and maturity, and the world will recognize our Christlikeness.

b.    Begin to train the kind of leaders we want and need for the church. This responsibility falls most heavily on the existing leaders but not entirely. Christian parents need to raise their children in such a way that they naturally move into serving and leadership roles in the church when they are old enough. Our church’s children’s ministry and youth ministry should have as a goal to raise up leaders. Training good leaders is a long-term project, and we must start early. Moreover, every church should have a strategy for training new elders and equipping them for service. There are many wonderful resources that pastors can use to set up this kind of program. What is lacking, all too often, is the willingness to do it, because it is hard work. However, in God’s plan, everything is to reproduce after its own kind. That includes pastors. Pastors need to reproduce pastors (elders) to come alongside them to carry out the work of ministry in the local church.

Titus Study #1

“Adorning the Doctrine” 

Titus 1:1-4

Study #1 in Titus Series

 

INTRODUCTION: 

One of the biggest industries in America is the cosmetics industry. Millions of dollars are spent each year on adornment.

·       In some cases, it is a lost cause (e.g., the Annual Pug Festival).

·       The goal is to adorn or make attractive something that is plain or unlovely (e.g., Professional models are often just ho-hum plain janes away from the cosmetics and cameras.)

·       But even a drop-dead strikingly beautiful woman can be made even more lovely with makeup, a fresh hairdo, and a designer gown.

 

TRANSITION: 

In Titus 2:10 Paul tells us that Christians, by the way they live, can make Christian teaching become attractive to people. “…but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” I think this may well be the key verse of Titus.

·       “…to adorn” – The Greek verb, cosméo, which means to adorn, garnish, arrange, or put in order.

·       “…in every respect” – This means beautiful from every angle.

·       “…the doctrine of God our Savior” – This takes in the whole of Christian theology but especially God’s plan of salvation, which we refer to as the Gospel.

 

So, who was Titus? Titus was one of Paul’s trusted fellow-workers in the Gospel. This tiny little letter is one of the 4 “Pastoral Epistles” – 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Although Titus was active in ministry alongside Paul during many of the events recorded in the Book of Acts, he is never mentioned by name there. However, his name appears 13 times throughout the New Testament. Titus 1:4 leads us to believe that Paul led Titus to faith in Christ. Paul calls Titus, “my true child in a common faith.” In Galatians 2:1-3 Paul recalls the events recorded in Acts 15 when he went up to Jerusalem to meet James and the other church leaders there. He says that he took Titus with him to that meeting for “show-n-tell.” Titus was a Gentile, specifically a Greek, but he had been converted and was now a disciple of Jesus. He was sort of the poster child of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. The leaders wisely concluded that Gentile converts like Titus did not need to be circumcised but were to be welcomed as full-on brothers in Christ and were as much a part of the Church as the Jewish-Christians.

 

The chronology of Titus’ ministry is somewhat sketchy, but we know that he worked with Paul in Ephesus for a considerable time during Paul’s third missionary journey (cf. 2 Cor. 8:23). From Ephesus Paul sent Titus to Corinth to help strengthen the church there (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:12-13, 7:5-6, 8:6). After Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment, he and Titus worked briefly in Crete (cf. 1:5). Paul left there to go back to Macedonia, but he commissioned Titus to remain there to be his representative and to organize and strengthen the work, starting with developing a team of elders to work alongside him. In 3:12 Paul tells Titus that he is sending someone to replace him, either Tychicus or Artemus, and asks that Titus come join him in Nicopolis (“city of victory,” located on the west coast of Greece where he planned to spend the winter.

 

What do we know about the church in Crete?

·       In general, the Cretans were rude, crude, and hard to get along with so it would take a special kind of pastor to work with them. Apparently, Titus was that guy.

·       The seeds of the Gospel may have been planted by Jewish-Christians coming back from Jerusalem who were converted on the Day of Pentecost.

·       Paul and Titus visited there after his first Roman imprisonment and preached the Gospel and got the church started.

·       Paul left Titus there to continue the work, just like he left Timothy at Ephesus.

 

The last glimpse we have of Titus in the NT is recorded in 2 Timothy 4:10. There Paul says that “Titus has gone to Dalmatia,” undoubtedly at Paul’s own insistence. Dalmatia was a Roman province including the whole central area of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It encompassed the northern part of present-day Albania, much of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. 

 

NOTES on the Text:

Verse 1: Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth, which is according to godliness, 

·       “a slave of God [Greek, doulos theou] and an apostle of Jesus” – This is a formula used in many of Paul’s letters. It mingles humility and pride for Paul.

·       HUMILITY because:

Ø  Doulos is the most abject word for a slave. It refers to one born into slavery, not for one taken in war and sold as a slave (i.e., andrápodon, ἀνδράποδον).

Ø  Doulos refers to one who is the undisputed possession of another, having no will, no time of his own, serving another regardless of self-interests.

Ø  Therefore, Paul is the possession of God. His will is swallowed up in God’s will. His life is totally submitted to God.

Ø  Paul was born into slavery to sin at his first birth. The term doulos refers to one bound by bonds so strong that only death could break them. Paul’s death with Christ (cf. Romans 6:3) broke the bonds that bound him to Satan. After salvation Paul became bound to Christ as a willing bondservant in bonds that only death could break. But since Jesus Christ will never die again, Paul’s union to Christ is unbreakable.

·       PRIDE because:

Ø  The term “slave of God” is used in Scripture of Moses, Joshua, and the prophets. It is a term of honor and respect.

·       “…and an apostle of Jesus Christ” – In Paul’s mind this was the greatest honor anyone could be given and even more for him who had been a persecutor of the Church and had done horrible things against those who were followers of the Way. He was daily amazed at the grace of God.

·       “…for the faith of those chosen [elect] of God and the knowledge of the truth” – Paul understood that his life was to be dedicated to spiritually benefit lost Gentiles. His job was to bring them to saving faith in Jesus. He received this commission from the Risen Christ himself on the day of his conversion. Faith comes through knowledge of the truth, specifically, of the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

·       “…truth which is according to godliness,” – All truth is God’s truth, but not all truth is relevant to godliness. For example, it is true that the Earth is in orbit around the Sun, but that knowledge won’t save a soul from Hell. It is not truth that accords with godliness.

 

Verse 2: …in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

·       “…in the hope of eternal life” – This is not the kind of hope that a child has at Christmas – “I hope Santa brings me a pony and a new red bicycle.” Rather, it is the quiet waiting on God to act on our behalf, knowing with absolute certainty that help is on the way. 1 John 5:14-15 adds this: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”  

·       “…which God, who cannot lie, promised…” – This eternal life is not a wish, but a hope. In this sense, hope is an anticipation founded not on wishful thinking, but on a promise from the God who cannot lie.

 

Verse 3: …but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,

·       “…at the proper time” – His own time (cf. Galatians 4:4, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law”). God has an amazing sense of timing. He is never early and never late. He always shows up right on time.

1.    Practically all the world spoke Greek, as well as their own languages. It was the language of trade, commerce, literature, and politics.

2.    There were virtually no borders or frontiers because of the Roman Empire. Therefore, no passports or visas were needed.

3.    Travel was comparatively easy. The Roman Roads were all over Europe and Asia. The Romans also tried to clear the land of highway robbers, and the sea of pirates.

4.    The world was mainly at peace. The “Pax Romana” was enforced.

5.    The world was conscious of its religious, ethical, and moral needs. They were thirsty for truth. The old religions had broken down.

·       I like the way this verse has been translated by the New King James Version: “…but has in due time manifested His Word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.” – Preaching is the way that God’s eternal work meets people today. Preaching is the way God’s Word is made manifest today. This is exactly what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 1:21, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”

·       “…in the proclamation with which I was entrusted” – Which was committed to me. Paul knew that the work of preaching/heralding/proclaiming the Gospel was entrusted to him, but not to him only. Preaching (kerúgma) is a work committed to all believers.

 

Verse 4: To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

·       Paul loved Titus very much, in the same way he loved Timothy.

·       Notice some of the things Paul says about Titus:

Ø  “…my true child in a common faith” – Even though Paul was a Jew and Titus was a Greek they were now closer than blood could make them. Paul had led Titus to faith in Christ, so he looked at Titus as his own son in the Lord. Now they are members of the same family. 

Ø  “…my brother” – 2 Corinthians 2:13

Ø  “…my partner and fellow-worker among you” – 2 Corinthians 8:23

Ø  “…one who walks with me in the same spirit and in the same steps” – 2 Cor. 12:18

Ø  “…an example” (Gr. túpos = pattern, template, ensample, model) for the Cretan believers to follow of what an authentic Christian life looks like (cf. Titus 2:7)

 

CONCLUSION:

At the beginning of this study, I referenced Titus 2:10 where Paul tells us that the way we live, can make Christian teaching become attractive to people. “…but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” Excellent Christian doctrine is made believable and attractive by excellent Christian living. But the opposite is true as well. Christians who lead shabby, marginal Christian lives bring shame and reproach on the Gospel. I never want to be guilty of casting shade on Christ, His Church, or the Word of God.  

 

In 2 Corinthians 3:2 Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers saying, “You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; ³ being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” The greatest testimony of the reality of Christianity is the changed lives of believers who have been made new by the power of God, having passed from darkness to light, from death unto life, from the kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of Christ.

 

May we live as Christ’s love letters, known and read by all men, adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. 

2 Timothy Study #10

“Final Thoughts, P.S., and BTW”

2 Timothy 4:9-22

Study #10 in 2 Timothy Series 

INTRODUCTION:

We have come to the end of this precious letter from Paul to Timothy. As far as any of us knows, it is the last thing Paul ever wrote. We believe that he was martyred soon after the completion of the epistle. If he wrote other letters God has not seen fit to preserve them for us as part of the Canon of Scripture.

In this brief letter we can sense the urgency Paul felt to say some important last things to his beloved protégé, Timothy, who he loved like a son. Sitting in that prison cell he had a lot of time to think, and I believe he compiled a mental list of a few more things he wanted Timothy to know. And in the off chance that his execution should be postponed he wanted Timothy to bring him some items that he needed to make his prison stay more bearable.

TRANSITION:

When we write letters, text messages, or emails to one another we often attach a P.S. (“postscript”) or a BTW (“by the way”) to the end of the communication. It’s because as we are writing we sometimes have a last-minute thought that we want to include. Rather than go back and insert it into the body of the letter we tack it on to the end. That’s what these verses feel like to me. Verses 9-22 are the P.S. of Paul’s second letter to Timothy.

NOTES on the Text:

Verses 9-10: Make every effort to come to me soon; ¹⁰ for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

• “Make every effort to come to me soon” – Paul was a strong, mature follower of Christ but he was not a Super Saint. He was like us in most ways despite being a hand-picked servant of Christ, and like us, he needed and wanted companionship. I think that Paul was lonely. During his first Roman imprisonment he was lodged in a rented apartment of some kind, and he had lots of company and friends dropping by at all hours to visit him. Not so this time around. He was in a dark cave-like dungeon in Rome’s infamous Mamertine Prison, and he had few visitors. 
• “…for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica” – Paul was very aware of those who had forsaken him but his abandonment by his friend, Demas, was especially disappointing. He says that Demas left him because he “loved this present world” (literally, “this now age”), implying that he loved this world more than he loved Christ. Demas was mentioned in Paul’s earlier letters as a trusted fellow-worker, but something went sour, and he got off-track and went astray (cf. Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24). His previous faithfulness made it even more painful for Paul.
• “Crescens has gone to Galatia” – Others left Paul out of necessity; their services being needed elsewhere (like Crescens and Titus). Some others left because Paul sent them on special missions, like Tychicus mentioned in verse 12. This is the only mention of Crescens in the NT. Galatia can refer either to the northern area of Asia Minor known as Gaul, or to a Roman province in what is now Central Turkey.
• “Titus to Dalmatia” – Dalmatia corresponds to modern day Albania and part of Yugoslavia, also known in the NT as Illyricum (cf. Romans 15:19).

Verses 11-12: Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. ¹² But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 

·       “Only Luke is with me” – Dear Luke, who had traveled with Paul on many of his missionary journeys, remained with Paul, probably serving as his personal physician as well as his trusted companion. Everyone else was gone. This was a significant contrast to Paul’s first Roman imprisonment several years before, when he received many visitors (Acts 28:30-31).

·       “Pick up Mark and bring him with you” – This is evidence of a restoration of trust in Mark from Paul. Paul had wanted nothing to do with him in Acts 15:36-40 when Barnabas suggested taking Mark on yet another missionary trip. Mark had abandoned them on their first journey and had run home to his momma, so Paul had written him off.

• “…for he is useful to me for service” – This is the fascinating ending to the story of the conflict between Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark and proof of two things: (1) that Mark had matured and become a faithful Christ-follower and minister of the Gospel, and (2) that Paul could admit that he had been proven wrong about Mark. At this stage, Paul held Mark in high esteem.
• “But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus” – I am wondering if having just asked Timothy to come soon to Rome if Paul is now sending Tychicus to replace him for a while to care for the flock in Ephesus during Timothy’s absence.

Verse 13: When you come, bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

·       “When you come, bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus” – I think that it is likely that Paul was arrested at Troas, resulting in this second imprisonment at Rome. In those days the arresting soldiers had the right to lay claim to any extra garments in the possession of the arrestee. It’s possible that Paul was forewarned of the arrest and therefore entrusted his few belongings, especially his books, parchments, and this “cloak” to the care of a friend named Carpus. We know nothing about the man as this is the only time he is mentioned in Scripture. The cloak in question was a traveling cape called a phailónes, which was a large circular cape that came down below the knees, with an opening for the head in the center. It was used for protection against the cold and stormy weather.

·       “…and the books, especially the parchments.” – Paul was a scholar to the end, and he wanted his books (papyrus scrolls, cf. biblía). He especially wanted the beloved parchments (membrána, made of sheep or goat skin) which were hand-written portions of the Old Testament. I believe that Paul was hungry to feast his eyes once again on the words of the Word of God, the thing that would bring him the greatest comfort in his greatest hour of need.

Verses 14-15: Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

• “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm” – In 1 Timothy 1:20 Paul mentioned Alexander as someone whose faith had suffered shipwreck. Now Paul warned Timothy about this same man. Paul simply wrote that Alexander “did me much harm” – but implied that he would almost certainly also oppose Timothy (“Be on guard against him yourself.). We can be sure that Timothy respected Paul’s judgment and took seriously his wise advice to beware of Alexander.
• By the way, “…the coppersmith” does not mean that he worked only in copper. It was commonly applied to workers in any kind of metal.

·       “…did me much harm” – We do not know specifically what Alexander did against Paul. Perhaps he was a traitor, an informer who betrayed Paul to the Roman government and was responsible for his current imprisonment. Perhaps Alexander was a witness against Paul at his first defense. William Barclay says this: “Informers were one of the great curses of Rome at this time. And it may well be that Alexander was a renegade Christian, who went to the magistrates with false information against Paul, seeking to ruin him in the most dishonourable way.”

·       “…the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.” Alexander’s judgment would be simple. It is a terrible thing to be judged according to one’s deeds. This is neither a curse nor a prediction from Paul but simply a statement of fact. Paul recognized that vengeance was not his to mete out, but he knew that God will avenge him in the day of His Wrath. See Romans 12:19.

Verse 16: At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.

• “…At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me” – Paul’s “first defense” perhaps refers to his first imprisonment in Rome (spoken of at the end of Acts), or it could also have been a first hearing under his current imprisonment.

·       “…no one supported me, but all deserted me” – Evidently Paul was all alone during that official court proceeding, and he was hurt by being left to face it all by himself.  

·       “…may it not be counted against them.” – Despite the fact that Paul had felt abandoned by his friends, these words show that Paul was not bitter. This is powerful evidence of a gracious spirit and spiritual maturity.

Verse 17: But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.

• “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” – This reminds me of our Lord’s words recorded in Luke 12:11-12, “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” This was Paul’s experience.
• “…so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished” – Even in these dire circumstances Paul testified about his faith in Jesus Christ to the Imperial Court. I am reminded of the Lord’s words to Ananias concerning Paul as recorded in Acts 9:15-16, “This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
• “…and that all the Gentiles might hear” – His eye is still on the prize. He is committed to sharing the saving Gospel with the Gentiles in every place. Only death will prevent him from continuing that mission (cf. Romans 15:24, 28).
• “…and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.” – I think Paul is seeing his situation as akin to Daniel’s, when God preserved him from the lions. God had certainly delivered Paul before, so he had no doubt about God’s power or goodness. Paul just didn’t know if this time his fate would end with being delivered out of the lion’s mouth or being graduated to His heavenly kingdom.

Verse 18: The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

• “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom” This statement reflects Paul’s optimism and joy even as he faced his last moments of this life. Despite being penniless, alone, without valuable possessions, cold, lacking adequate clothing, and destined for painful martyrdom, Paul would not trade places with anyone. Knowing the heavenly reward that awaited him, he was content.
• “…to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Paul bursts forth spontaneously in praise and thanks to God. This degree and quality of faith blows my mind. 

Verse 19: Greet Prisca and Aquila (Gr. Akúlas), and the household of Onesiphorus.

·       In his parting words, Paul’s heart was for the people he knew. He thought about others and not himself. Paul knew the nature of Jesus and was an others-centered person just as Jesus was.

“Prisca (aka Priscilla) and Aquila” – A Christian couple, originally from Pontus. These are Paul’s dear friends from his days in Corinth where they ministered together (cf. Acts 18). After that they accompanied Paul to Syria, and some years later ended up serving the Lord in Ephesus.

·       “…and the household of Onesiphorus.” – We learned about him in chapter 1, verses 16-18. Apparently, he had traveled all the way from Ephesus to Rome and had searched for Paul until he found him, just to be a comfort and encourager to the old apostle. That’s what I call Agape love. This must have happened during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment. However, the fact that Paul now sends greetings this greeting to “the household of Onesiphorus” leads me to conclude that he had since died.

Verse 20: Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.   

• “Erastus remained at Corinth” – Some scholars have theorized that Erastus and Trophimus were with Paul when he was arrested the second time, and that they remained in his company as far as Miletus and Corinth respectively, but we have no way of knowing for sure.
• “…but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.” – Paul was a man used by God to perform remarkable miracles of healing (cf. Acts 14:8-10 and Acts 19:11-20), yet he left Trophimus sick. Why couldn’t Paul heal him? This verse shows that even the Apostle Paul did not have miraculous healing powers to use at his own will. He could only heal if it was God’s will and God’s timing for God’s purposes.
• Charles H. Spurgeon preached a whole sermon on the words, “…but Trophimus I left sick in Miletus” (cf. “The Sick Man Left Behind”). His three points were:
• It is the will of God that some good men should be in ill health.
• Good men may be laid aside when they seem to be most needed.
• Good men would have the Lord’s work go on whatever becomes of them. 

Verse 21: Make every effort to come before winter. Eúbulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudía (means “lame”) and all the brethren.   

• “Make every effort to come before winter.” This request has much heart and emotion behind it. As an old man, Paul dearly wanted to see his young associate before he laid down his life for his Lord. This is the fourth mention of Timothy coming to visit Paul:
• In verse 9: “Make every effort to come to me soon.”
• In verse 11: “Pick up Mark and bring him with you.”
• In verse 13: “When you come, bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus.”
• In verse 21: “Make every effort to come before winter.”
• We don’t know if Paul ever saw Timothy again, but we can be sure Timothy did his utmost to come before winter.
• Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren – Here Paul sends greetings to Timothy from some people that Timothy had met in Rome during Paul’s first imprisonment. We know nothing about them other than the fact that they were Roman believers that had befriended Paul and apparently were continuing to try to minister to his needs. These four are mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament. They are just a few of the countless unsung disciples of Jesus that we will one day meet in Heaven.
• Paul’s imprisonment in the Mamertine prison (a bleak building still standing in Rome, built 100 years before Paul’s imprisonment for political enemies of Rome) lasted until he was beheaded under Nero outside Rome’s Ostian Gate at a place now called “Three Fountains.” A good article about this can be found here: https://www.insight.org/resources/article-library/individual/historical-background-of-paul-s-final-imprisonment
• Paul was martyred in A.D. 67 in the aftermath of the great fires that swept Rome in A.D. 64, which Emperor Nero, tried to blame on Christians. According to Roman Catholic traditions, he was beheaded on the same day Peter was crucified upside-down. Paul was a Roman citizen and could not be legally crucified. However, there is no evidence that Peter ever even stepped foot in Rome, which casts doubt on the story.

Verse 22: The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.   

• The last words of Paul reflect a man who simply loved Jesus and had received His grace. This simplicity, and all the power that went with it, marked the entire ministry of Paul.

CONCLUSION:

Paul’s second letter to Timothy is a powerful call for Timothy to remain steadfast in faith despite facing sundry trials. Paul’s message is both personal and urgent. He encourages Timothy to remain passionate for Christ, to hold firm to sound doctrine, and to avoid ungodly beliefs and practices. The letter is deeply touching, as Paul shares his own struggles, especially considering his looming martyrdom. This context adds immense weight to his words of encouragement and counsel. Through various instructions, Paul prepares Timothy for the challenges he will face in the years ahead, emphasizing the importance of faithfully preaching the Word of God even in difficult times. Paul’s reflections also remind us of the importance of mentorship and perseverance. His heartfelt messages still resonate today, providing timeless insights into faith, leadership, and courage.