2 Timothy 4:9–22 “Paul’s Last Testament”

2 Timothy 4:9-22 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Cody Carnes – Christ Be Magnified
• King Of My Heart | Bethel Music
• Christ Our Hope in Life and Death – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Papa

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• You Can Do It! | A lesson on perseverance for kids – Lesson for Kids
• Every move I make | Hillsong Kids | Kids Praise and Worship Motions – Song for

Kids

• Power Shuffle | True North VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• This Train Is Bound for Glory | Rocky Railway VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The apostle asks Timothy to come to him quickly (v. 9). The phrase, “because he loved this world, he has deserted me” (v. 10), does not seem to mean that Demas abandoned the faith altogether, but rather that he left the missionary work. Nothing else is known about Demas. Likewise, nothing more is known about Crescens, but Paul sent him to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. At this point, only Luke remains with Paul. For this reason, Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark with him (v. 11). On his second missionary journey, Paul had once had a sharp disagreement with Barnabas about taking Mark along (Acts 15:37–41). From Paul’s words, “he is helpful to me in my ministry,” we can see that Mark regained Paul’s trust. Paul also tells Timothy that he sent Tychicus to Ephesus (v. 12). Paul additionally asks Timothy to bring “the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas” (v. 13). Prisons at that time were extremely harsh, and he needed to prepare for the coming winter. He also asks for the scrolls, especially the parchments—likely referring to the Scriptures.

Paul warns Timothy about “Alexander the metalworker” (v. 14). In 1 Timothy 1:20, Paul had cited Alexander as someone who had “suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.” Here, he says that Alexander did a great deal of harm to him and warns Timothy to be on guard against him (v. 15). The phrase, “At my first defense” (v. 16), refers to the time when Paul was first imprisoned in Rome and had to present his defense. At that time, all his coworkers deserted him. Yet Paul does not hold it against them, because the Lord stood at his side and became his defender. Even though he was a prisoner, Paul was still able to proclaim the gospel. His words, “The Lord rescued me from the lion’s mouth” (v. 17), may be a metaphor, but it is also possible that he literally faced execution in the arena. In either case, Paul experienced miraculous deliverance. Therefore, he is confident that no matter what happens, the Lord will protect him and bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom (v. 18).

Paul then sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus (v. 19). Priscilla and Aquila were Jewish Christians who once lived in Rome. After fleeing persecution, they settled in Corinth, where they met Paul. At the time of this letter, the couple was in Ephesus. Paul also briefly mentions Erastus and Trophimus (v. 20), and once again urges Timothy, “Do your best to get here before winter” (v. 21). He passes along greetings from a few believers who were with him and then closes the letter with a brief blessing.

Meditation:

In the final section of 2 Timothy, we see the very human side of the Apostle Paul. He is now imprisoned in Rome. A harsh winter is approaching, and only Luke remains with him. Today, even prisoners are guaranteed a minimum standard of human rights, but prisons back then did not provide even the basic necessities for survival. If one survived, it was fortunate; if one starved or froze to death, it was simply accepted.

Paul had previously spent more than two years under house arrest in Rome. It is likely that he was released after a formal trial, since he had been accused by the Jews and had appealed to Caesar. From the perspective of the Roman imperial court, the charges brought by the Jews were not considered important. After a brief release, Paul resumed his missionary work. But during that time, he was arrested again, this time on charges of violating Roman law. Now, there was little hope of being released. Moreover, this was during the reign of Emperor Nero, who carried out organized persecution of Christians. As Paul had already written in verse 6, he anticipated that he would soon be poured out like a drink offering—martyred for his faith.

He looked forward to the “crown of righteousness” that the Lord would give him, and he accepted his fate with peace. Yet until that day, he had to endure the cold loneliness of a Roman prison cell and the biting chill of winter. Having already experienced imprisonment in Rome before, Paul knew well how painful it was to survive a winter in such conditions. This is why he asked Timothy to come quickly before winter, bringing his cloak and the parchment scrolls. If possible, he also wanted Timothy to bring Mark. Paul desired to reach the place of martyrdom with both the physical warmth of a cloak and the companionship of trusted friends, overcoming both the inner cold of loneliness and the outer cold of winter.

Once a promising teacher of the Jewish law, Saul met the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, and for the next twenty-plus years, he walked faithfully as a preacher of the gospel. It was a path that felt like dying daily, filled with suffering. Yet by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit who was with him, and by fixing his eyes on the glory of the returning Christ, he ran the race to the end. Finally, he laid down his life at the executioner’s blade as a “drink offering” poured out before God. In this way, Paul’s deepest longing was fulfilled: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10–11).

Prayer:

Lord, we remember the Apostle Paul, who sought to know You, to experience the power of Your resurrection, to share in Your sufferings, and at last to finish his life as You did. We feel a holy awe knowing that through such a noble sacrifice, the gospel has been passed down to us. Lord, uphold us so that we may believe in You and live with the same heart as Paul. Help us also to share in Your sufferings and, even in a small way, resemble Your death. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Paul endured loneliness, hardship, and even death with courage because he trusted in the risen Christ and looked forward to the crown of righteousness. His example reminds us that following Jesus may be difficult, but God’s presence and promise make the journey worthwhile.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Why did Paul ask Timothy to bring him his coat and books?
  • How did Paul stay brave even though he was in prison?
  • What is one way you can remember that Jesus is always with you, even when you feel alone?
    
• Youth
  • Paul faced loneliness and suffering but trusted that God would never leave him. When have you felt alone, and how could you invite God into that moment?
  • Paul asked Timothy to come quickly with Mark. What does this tell us about the importance of Christian friendships, especially during difficult times?
  • Paul looked forward to the “crown of righteousness.” What does it mean for you to live with eternity in mind in your daily life in Fairfax County?