Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 56

Paul's Final Instructions and Prayer for Brother Timothy

2 Timothy 4:21-22 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. KJV

As the Apostle Paul prepares to write the final words to Timothy in this his second letter written to him, he cannot but proceed in exhorting him to come to him hurriedly in Rome, for Paul (as was the tone of this entire second letter) knew within his inner man that he would not leave his captivity this time in Rome alive, therefore, he writes this to Timothy, "Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren." (2 Timothy 4:21) (KJV). Paul was not concerned more about his creature comfort during the winter season, but that because sailing was the only means of making the Journey from Ephesus (which was most likely where Timothy was at this time). During the winter months the voyage would be even more dangerous, so Paul urged Timothy to get his affairs or business in order and set sail before winter because Paul wanted to see him one last time and more importantly Paul did not want Timothy to be hurt on his journey. Paul had recent bad experience with sailing into Rome when he was taken their as a prisoner (which he then was) and sailed into a violent storm that caused them to be shipwrecked, see Acts 27:13-44.

The little English phrase 'do thy diligence' is translated by the Greek word spoudazō meaning to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest. Although, we have these words of Paul in Scripture for our study and examination, we still don't have confirmation elsewhere in the Scripture if Timothy actually had the opportunity to make it to Rome before the Apostle Paul's execution. More than his cloke or coat, Paul wanted to see Timothy before he was executed, yet knowing that this might not happen, Paul wanted to leave nothing out of his final way of communicating to him in this second letter, he said it all here for Timothy to read, review, and recall for years to come he would always have the Apostle's council ever before him whenever he needed it. Paul again sends him greetings from other Christians there with Paul, they were perhaps Roman citizens who had been born again in Rome and were then discovered by the Roman Government to be Christian converts and were then imprisoned there in Rome where Paul had been brought also, for these Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia are no where else mentioned in the Scripture except for here in this verse by Paul the Apostle.

Paul (as was his normal and regular custom) concludes his words to Brother Timothy in the most useful way for Paul and for Timothy and that was with this brief but mighty prayer for Brother Timothy, "The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:22) (KJV). Paul uses 'Lord' to signify Christ singular authority over all things He has made, for this word is translated by the Greek word kurios meaning (supremacy); supreme in authority, that is, (as noun) controller: - God or Master. When Paul writes, 'be with thy spirit', he means to be with him in the inner man strengthening him for every Christian work and every spiritual battle with our enemy the devil as he wrote such to the Ephesian believers with these words, "For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21) (Modern King James Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "This is a prayer addressed to Christ by one of the most eminent of His Apostles; another proof of the untruth of the assertion, that prayer is never offered to Christ in the New Testament. He prays that Christ may be with his spirit, enlightening, strengthening, and confirming it to the end."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…