2 Timothy 4:9-15·~1 min

Personal Concerns

Paul urges Timothy to come quickly because Demas has deserted him for the present world, while Crescens and Titus are elsewhere and only Luke remains. Timothy should bring Mark, who is useful in ministry, and when he comes he should also bring the cloak Paul left at Troas and especially the scrolls and parchments.

M⁹ake every effort to come to me quickly, ¹⁰because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry. ¹²Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus. ¹³When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

Paul warns Timothy that Alexander the coppersmith did him great harm and strongly opposed their message. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds, and Timothy must beware of him.

¹⁴Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.

Section summaryPaul asks Timothy to come quickly, since Demas has deserted him out of love for the present world and others have gone elsewhere, leaving only Luke with him. He wants Timothy to bring Mark, his cloak, and his books, and he warns him about Alexander the coppersmith, who did him great harm and fiercely opposed the message.

Role in the chapterThis section lets Timothy feel the personal cost and practical need surrounding Paul's final days. It turns the letter's high themes back into the concrete realities of loneliness, friendship, danger, and need.