SAFELY HOME AT LAST
Opening Prayer
God, teach me to walk in unity and faithfulness.
Read 2 Timothy 4:9–22
Personal Remarks
9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
19 Greet Priscilla[a] and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.[b]
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
Footnotes:
2 Timothy 4:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
2 Timothy 4:21 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does successful Gospel ministry entail? Who is involved? What is needed?As Paul prepares to sign off this final letter, he reflects on the people he has encountered. It is a very mixed bunch indeed.
Some started well but fell away, like Demas (10). Some have been dispatched on other duties, like Titus and Tychicus. Some have remained with him right up until the end, like Luke (11); whereas some who had parted company with Paul (Acts 16) are now valuable for his ministry, like Mark (11). There is also a dearly loved group with Timothy in Ephesus whom Paul wants to encourage and make special mention of (19,20).
Gospel work has always been teamwork, and Paul has invested himself in forging strategic partnerships for the flourishing of the Gospel wherever he could. But there’s opposition too—look at Paul’s blunt warning in verses 14 and 15 about an individual who’ll make ministry difficult for Timothy.
Notice Paul’s attitude when facing the end of his life (17,18)—not depressed and despondent, but trusting and triumphant. Paul is confident that God will protect him from each and every attack right up until the moment God calls him home.
Apply
If Gospel work is teamwork, who can you partner with, invest in, encourage along? How can you grow your relationship with them going forward?
Closing prayer
Pray for your “team” now.
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