9 Get here as fast as you can. 10 Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia. 11 Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he'll be my right-hand man 12 since I'm sending Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks. 14 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith. 15 Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he's got coming.
16 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn't matter - 17 the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! 18 God's looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
19 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Try hard to get here before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings. 22 God be with you. Grace be with you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:9-22
Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:9-13
(Read 2 Timothy 4:9-13)
The love of this world, is often the cause of turning back from the truths and ways of Jesus Christ. Paul was guided by Divine inspiration, yet he would have his books. As long as we live, we must still learn. The apostles did not neglect human means, in seeking the necessaries of life, or their own instruction. Let us thank the Divine goodness in having given us so many writings of wise and pious men in all ages; and let us seek that by reading them our profiting may appear to all.
Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:14-18
(Read 2 Timothy 4:14-18)
There is as much danger from false brethren, as from open enemies. It is dangerous having to do with those who would be enemies to such a man as Paul. The Christians at Rome were forward to meet him, Acts 28, but when there seemed to be a danger of suffering with him, then all forsook him. God might justly be angry with them, but he prays God to forgive them. The apostle was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, that is, of Nero, or some of his judges. If the Lord stands by us, he will strengthen us in difficulties and dangers, and his presence will more than supply every one's absence.
Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:19-22
(Read 2 Timothy 4:19-22)
We need no more to make us happy, than to have the Lord Jesus Christ with our spirits; for in him all spiritual blessings are summed up. It is the best prayer we can offer for our friends, that the Lord Jesus Christ may be with their spirits, to sanctify and save them, and at last to receive them to himself. Many who believed as Paul, are now before the throne, giving glory to their Lord: may we be followers of them.