Paul is sad that so many of his close ministry associates are not by his side while he is in prison. Some are afraid, some are busy doing ministry in other countries (as Paul trained them to be), one actively worked against Paul. Should Paul be upset that he is basically alone in prison? Should he expect something more of his fellow Christians? YES.
Jesus taught us to visit each other when we are sick or in prison (Matt 25). No matter how busy I get, or how embarrassed I am, I need to follow Jesus and support my brothers and sisters.
These are the last words of Paul, a man who persecuted the church, then was called by Jesus and did so much to spread the Good News. He ended his life with strong friends, though at times let down by then. He ended with missionary churches all over the ancient world, churches that were even planting new churches. He ended by being strong in Christ, the One he loved, the One who gave him strength.
2 Timothy 4:9-22
9Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.a
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.
16The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.b 18Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Paul’s Final Greetings
19Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.c
22May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.
If you’re like me, you say who the heck is Alexander the Coppersmith and what did he do. Read this excerpt from Calvin’s commentary:
14. Alexander the coppersmith. In this man was exhibited a shocking instance of apostasy. He had made profession of some zeal in advancing the reign of Christ, against which he afterwards carried on open war. No class of enemies is more dangerous or more envenomed than this. But from the beginning, the Lord determined that his Church should not be exempted from this evil, lest our courage should fail when we are tried by any of the same kind.
Hath done me many evil things It is proper to observe, what are the “many evils” which Paul complains that Alexander brought upon him. They consisted in this, that he opposed his doctrine. Alexander was an artificer, not prepared by the learning of the schools for being a great disputer; but domestic enemies have always been abundantly able to do injury. And the wickedness of such men always obtains credit in the world, so that malicious and impudent ignorance sometimes creates trouble and difficulty greater than the highest abilities accompanied by learning. Besides, when the Lord brings his servants into contest with persons of this low and base class, he purposely withdraws them from the view of the world, that they may not indulge in ostentatious display.
From Paul’s words, (1 Timothy 4:15,) for he vehemently opposed our discourses, we may infer that he had committed no greater offense than an attack on sound doctrine; for if Alexander had wounded his person, or committed an assault on him, he would have endured it patiently; but when the truth of God is assailed, his holy breast burns with indignation, because, in all the members of Christ that saying must hold good,
Dude that is a great comment – thanks for adding that!
Interesting info Derek; I love the historical perspective:) Yeah, that guy sounds like bad news! Although not remotely comparable to what Jesus, Paul and many others have endured, I believe all Christians go through times when it is just Jesus walking beside them. Even so that didn’t diminish the power of the Word spreading among the Gentiles. God seemingly added a powerful punch to Paul’s msg. so that the “fullest measure” of the gospel was “accomplished.” NAS That’s a good precedent for me to remember.