Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 49

Paul's Personal Instructions to Timothy Part 1

2 Timothy 4:9-12 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. KJV

Paul now gives very personal instructions to Brother Timothy whom he expected to arrive in Rome (where he was in prison) as he declares here with these words, "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:" (2 Timothy 4:9) (KJV). The false idea that many well meaning Christians have of the Apostle Paul being some super saint is certainly brought back down to reality by what we read here from his very longing words written to his friend and Christian co-worker Timothy. Although, some very spectacular, striking, and supernatural things were done by his hands and at his spoken words, it was never Paul doing any of those things, but God the Holy Spirit working through the Apostles tent/house/body to accomplish the will of God for all those things (example Acts 20:9-12). Paul wants Brother Timothy to make an effort to get to him quickly because he most likely knew he did not have much time left before his execution and he wanted to see Timothy one last time here on the earth to receive comfort from him and also to impart more of his wisdom from God on to Timothy. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about verse 9, "From Ephesus, where Timothy was, to Rome, where the Apostle was; and this request did not arise purely from a desire of seeing Timothy, as in 2 Timothy1:4 but rather because he had some things to say to him, relating to the care of the Churches and the good of the interest of Christ, which he chose not to write with ink and paper; and he desires the rather that he would use diligence, and hasten his coming to him; partly because winter was coming on, when travelling would not be so safe and comfortable, 2 Timothy 4:21 and partly because the time of his death was at hand, 2 Timothy 4:7 and also because he was almost alone."

The third reason he wanted Timothy to come quickly we find declared by Paul in the very next verse with these words, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia." (2 Timothy 4:10) (KJV). Paul had listed Demas as one of his fellowlaborers in the letter he wrote to Philemon and also sent greetings to the Colossian Church with him included at the end of his letter written to them, but now Paul declares that this man had gone back to a place of safety and security in the present world. Crescens had returned to Galatia and Titus had returned to Dalmatia, but Paul did not declare these two to have forsaken him like Demas, for they must have had to return for some personal or professional reasons. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about Demas forsaking the Apostle Paul by loving this present world, "This does not mean, necessarily, that he was an avaricious man, or that, in itself, he loved the honors or wealth of this world; but it means that he desired to live. He was not willing to stay with Paul, and subject himself to the probabilities of martyrdom; and, in order to secure his life, he departed to a place of safety. The Greek is, agapēsas ton nun aiōna - having loved the world that now is; that is, this world as it is, with all its cares, and troubles, and comforts; having desired to remain in this world, rather than to go to the other. There is, perhaps, a slight censure here in the language of Paul - 'the censure of grief;' but there is no reason why Demas should be held up as an example of a worldly man. That he desired to live longer; that he was unwilling to remain and risk the loss of life, is indeed clear. That Paul was pained by his departure, and that he felt lonely and sad, is quite apparent; but I see no evidence that Demas was influenced by what are commonly called worldly feelings, or that he was led to this course by the desire of wealth, or fame, or pleasure."

Paul did have one believer that remained with him and this was Dr. Luke the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as he declared with this next verse, "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." (2 Timothy 4:11) (KJV). Paul tells Timothy to get John Mark (the writer of the Gospel of Mark) and bring him along with him for he saw him then as useful in the ministry work, but at one time Paul was displeased with Mark and wanted no more to do with him and it caused a split between he and Barnabas as documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "And some days afterward, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have announced the Word of the Lord, to see how they are holding to it. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, he being called Mark. But Paul thought it well not to take that one with them, he having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work. Then there was sharp feeling, so as to separate them from each other. And taking Mark, Barnabas sailed to Cyprus. But choosing Silas, Paul went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God, passing through Syria and Cilicia, making the Churches strong." (Acts 15:36-41) (Modern King James Version). The last man Paul mentioned here to Brother Timothy (Tychicus) is referred to by Paul in his letters as a 'beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord', but he declares to Timothy these words concerning him at the time of his writing this second letter, "And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus." (2 Timothy 4:12) (KJV). For what purpose did Paul send this man to Ephesus and not desire to have him stay there in Rome with him, he does not say, nor do any of us know. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this mystery, "It is rather strange that the Apostle should say, I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus, if Timothy was at Ephesus at this time; but it is probable that Tychicus had been sent to Ephesus some time before this, and therefore the Apostle might say, though writing now to Ephesus, Tychicus have I sent."

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…



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