2 Timothy 4 Study Notes

4:10 Paul persevered in spite of suffering (1:11-12; 2:8-13) because he had an eternal perspective (4:6-8), but Demas abandoned Paul because he loved this present world.

4:11 In spite of his earlier disapproval of Mark (Ac 15:36-40), Paul now desired Mark’s presence and considered him useful . . . in the ministry.

4:12-13 Tychicus was a coworker (Ti 3:12) who carried two of Paul’s earlier prison letters to churches—Ephesians (Eph 6:21) and Colossians (Col 4:7). The word for especially can also be rendered “that is.” The identity of the writings Paul wanted is unknown, but they likely included Scripture.

4:14-15 The Alexander mentioned here cannot be identified with certainty. Paul mentioned an Alexander in 1Tm 1:20 as a person who had been excommunicated. He may have still been in Ephesus causing trouble. Or, since he is identified as a coppersmith, and there is evidence of a guild of coppersmiths in Troas, this may refer to a different man living in Troas. This would explain his appearance here after Paul asked Timothy to visit Troas.

4:16 In his forgiveness of others, Paul followed the teaching and model of Jesus (Lk 23:34), the practice of Stephen whom Paul saw die (Ac 7:60), and his own teaching (1Co 13:5).

4:17 Deliverance from a lion’s mouth was a common biblical metaphor for rescue from great danger (Ps 22:21).

4:18 Paul was absolutely convinced that God would deliver him from spiritual evil and bring him into his heavenly kingdom.

4:19 Prisca is a variant of Priscilla. This is a reference to the Priscilla and Aquila often mentioned in connection with Paul (e.g., Rm 16:3; 1Co 16:19).

4:20 An inscription was found in Corinth with the name Erastus on it. It is impossible to know if it is the same person, but see Rm 16:23.

4:21 This verse repeats the essence of v. 9. Travel in the Mediterranean area was usually suspended during winter because the weather resulted in dangerous conditions on land and sea. Therefore, if the trip were not completed by then, Timothy would be delayed and not be able to come “soon” (v. 9).

4:22 Paul used the phrase be with your spirit also in his closing in Gl 6:18; Php 4:23; Phm 25. There does not appear to be any significant difference in meaning from his more common “be with you” (Rm 16:20; 2Co 13:13; 2Th 3:18; cp. 1Co 16:23).