The pathos of this letter lies in Paul’s urgent, heartfelt request that Timothy join him. He appears to have sent Tychicus to relieve Timothy of his duties in Ephesus at least temporarily (4:5) so he can join Paul, awaiting martyrdom in Rome. Along the way—and this is one of the great stories of reconciliation in the New Testament—Timothy should bring along the once-estranged Mark (with 4:11; cf. Acts 13:5, 13; 15:36–41; Col. 4:10; Philem. 24). Paul’s situation is dire; he has survived a preliminary hearing before the Roman authorities, but he has dim prospects for acquittal in the upcoming final hearing. He is not under the comfortable house arrest with which the book of Acts concluded and that had permitted the writing of Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians. Paul is familia…
Final Greetings
2 Timothy 4:9-18, 2 Timothy 4:19-22
2 Timothy 4:9-18, 2 Timothy 4:19-22
One Volume
by Gary M. Burge
by Gary M. Burge
Baker Publishing Group, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, by Gary M. Burge