Timothy II - Expositional Study
JUST A FEW LAST LINES
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:19-22 (KJV)
Introduction
It is possible that Paul dictated his letters. Of course, no one knows for sure, but it is also possible they were taken down in some form of shorthand. Shorthand, as we know it, was invented by Isaac Pitman in 1837, but other systems or forms of 'taking notes' existed long before 1837. For instance, we know that a system or form of 'taking down' notes was practiced extensively by the Romans in Cicero's time (106-43 B.C.). For all we know, Dr. Luke, who presumably took down this letter to Timothy, may have added some form of stenography to his many other gifts. What we are sure of is that Paul always added a few lines of closing in his own hand, "The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write" (2 Thess. 3:17). Also, "The salutation of me, Paul. Remember my bonds" (Col. 4:18). Why does he add these last statements? Often, during his imprisonment, he was chained at the wrist to a Roman soldier. Whatever his normal handwriting was like, it was not improved by that situation. Our present text, following the first "Amen" (v. 18), appears to be his personally written addition to this particular letter, and was presumably the last thing he wrote. We now consider three things.
First, we consider personalities. Paul has already mentioned fifteen people, now he mentions eight more. The ninth name occurs earlier (1:16). Some are in Ephesus, where Timothy is and the apostle says to Timothy, "salute" them. That is, give them his kind remembrance, his affectionate greeting.
Prisca and Aquila: six times this splendid couple is referred to in the New Testament. And in four of the instances, the lady, as here, is put first. It seems probable that Paul first made their acquaintance by way of business. When he first arrived with the Gospel at Corinth, he determined to support himself by tent-making. Every Jewish boy was taught a trade of some kind. And Paul, no doubt, was often thankful for his proficiency in the craft of tent-making. At the time, there were two Jewish refugees at Corinth. They had come from Rome, where all Jews had been expelled by the Emperor Claudius, about 53 A.D. The emperors expelled the Jews from the city, more than once, but they always returned. As a matter of fact, these two are back in Rome in Romans 16:3. Their trade was tent-making, and they 'set up shop' at Corinth. And as Acts 18:1-3 recounts, Paul secured both work and lodging from them, thus supporting himself. Of course, he never stopped preaching the Gospel, because it was not long until he led them to Christ, as had previously happened with Dr. Luke. Was some of the influence Paul exerted on them due to the efficient way he did his work? "His master saw that the Lord was with him" (Gen. 39:3), i.e., there was something about the way Joseph worked? Perhaps Paul's employers were impressed with the fidelity and dexterity with which he performed his daily tasks, and were more disposed to listen when he spoke to them of his Master. Every working Christian should keep this in mind. While the idea of Paul's working habit is speculation, the two were converted, growing quickly, for by Acts 18:26, having gone to Ephesus, they were able to help the gifted Apollos, and "expound unto him the way of God more perfectly." We now observe their loyalty and courage, "have for my life laid down their own necks" (Rom. 16:4). In some ugly situation they had risked their lives to save the apostle. Unlike those nobles of Nehemiah 3:5, who "put not their necks to the work of the Lord", these two risked their necks for Paul. Finally, in 1 Corinthians 16:19, we find them using their home for worship, "the church that is in their house". These were devoted Christians. No wonder Paul sends them, through Timothy, his affectionate greeting.
The household of Onesiphorus is also greeted. We considered them in 1:16. Onesiphorus himself was not included in the good wishes of Paul, possibly because he was absent, or maybe he had died or perhaps he was away on some journey. "He oft refreshed me," says the apostle, recalling wistfully the delightful hospitality he had enjoyed in his home. Led by the Spirit, Paul joined with Peter (Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:9) in pressing upon Christians the duty and virtue of hospitality which was needed in those early days, when Christians were few and scattered. It is still greatly fruitful today.
Continuing our consideration of these recorded personalities, we observe some were in Rome. Each of them "greeteth" Timothy. There is Eubulus, Pudens, Iinus, and Claudia. Some have flimsily attempted to identify these people, with one exception. We may safely conclude that the "Iinus" who here sends greeting is identical with the "Iinus" who, according to early testimony by Irenaeus, was among the early elders of the church in Rome. "And all the brethren," proceeds our passage. All the church in that city were "brethren". They were all members of the same family. What a great family, embracing all Christians, first and last. It may look like a small group, when looking at a single group in a certain place, but in the eternal aggregate it is a "great multitude" (Luke 12:32; Rev. 7:9). What a loving family. Bickering, quarreling, and criticizing should never disfigure the family of God. What a loyal family. They were loyal to one another, but, above all, loyal to Jesus Christ.
Some are elsewhere. Erastus was at Corinth. He may be the same man mentioned in Acts 19:22, who accompanied Timothy on a certain mission to Macedonia. If so, they would have gotten to know one another on that trip. And Timothy would be glad to have news of him. At Corinth, assuming the same name means the same person, he was a person of some position, being "the chamberlain of the city" (Rom. 16:23), i.e., house ruler or steward. It should always be a splendid thing for any city when a Christian occupies an important position. Actually every Christian has an important position in the city, whether high or low, employee or citizen, and his weight should be on behalf of everything clean, true, and good for the community. He should always be acting on the side of the angels, "for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Col. 3:24). Trophimus was at Miletum. He, too, assuming the references denote the same person, is mentioned in two other places. In Acts 20:4, his name is included in the list of helpers in one of Paul's mission parties. In Acts 21:29, he is the innocent cause of Paul being mobbed at Jerusalem. But, it is the account of him in our present passage we consider.
Paul was such a remarkable character that we sometimes forget he was human. The latter peeps out here in his human limitations, "Trophimus have I left at Miletum, sick." He would have been helpful to Paul's work, if only he could have gone on, instead of having to stay behind. Paul had remarkable healing powers, "God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them" (Acts 19:11-12). However, bodily healing is not always the will of God. Paul was handicapped by a "thorn in the flesh". In our human way of thinking how much more, and better, service he would have been able to render to the lord, if he could have eliminated his infirmity. So, three times he prayed for healing. The result? God did not heal him. But, He did give him "grace" to triumph over it (2 Cor. 12:8-10). Timothy had problems, too, with his gastric trouble. With a robust constitution, he could have waged such an intrepid fight. Why, then, did Paul not heal him? Why did he simply prescribe a vinous dosage for his "often infirmities" (1 Tim. 5:23). Paul had his gifts and powers, but he was only human, and his great possibilities were subject to the limitation of God's perfect will and purpose.
We also observe his human longings – "Do thy diligence to come before winter." Under the restriction of the primitive navigation of those days, there was no sailing in the winter. And if Timothy did not get away before then, it would necessitate a long postponement of his visit, and possibly be too late. This very human father did so badly want to see his son. Paul had already said, "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me" (v. 9). In other words, come quick. But now he says, "Do thy diligence to come before winter." The Master was not unhappy with Paul's humanity. He, too, felt the human side while in the Garden.
The new birth does not deprive us of our humanities. Yes, a great treasure becomes ours, but, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor. 4:7).Perhaps that fact modifies the treasure. Owing to our sinful nature, dull mind, tired body, fragile will, fluctuating feelings, and frayed nerves it becomes restricted in its operation. It also magnifies the vessel. To think that God not only can, but will, put us into His service in spite of our human weakness. David expressed his anxiety, "that I may know how frail I am" (Ps. 39:4). Yet, God chooses such. The early church was up against stiff proposition, such as the wise, the mighty, the "things that are", or, as we might say, "the powers that be" and to counter and conquer such He deliberately "chose" frail people (1 Cor. 1:27-28). God uses such frail people as Peter, the boaster; Thomas, the doubter; John, the fiery. He is prepared to use even poor specimens as ourselves. Because God infuses such and fills them with the Holy Spirit, that they may be, and do, what He purposes for them. If filled, the frail shall not fail.
Having considered the natural humanities, our passage unfolds to us Paul's last words to his son. How shall he lead him? How shall he leave him? Where shall he find for him a stable resting place? First, in a divine presence – "the Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit." Paul's own experiences. His perils, adventures, and distresses were precious. Over and over again it was his Master's presence which saved him. We have already seen him perplexed because all who should have stood by him had forsaken him; but, in verse 17, we find him drawing his comfort and help from the blessed realization that the Lord was standing by him. Paul could have driven home his thought by recalling case after case of God's people throughout the Old Testament who experienced the same. For instance, Joseph's experience – "the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man" (Gen. 39:2). Here is a slave in a foreign country, knowing no one and not a word of the language. Yet, the Lord was with Him. That was the over-riding fact of his life. That was the over-mastering secret of his success. This, too, will be Timothy's experience. He will soon be blessed by his spiritual father's earthly presence. But, he will be stayed and established by his Heavenly Father. From merely a human and earthly standpoint, Timothy's situation was not enviable. His environment, with increasing persecution, was gravely forbidding. His personality, somewhat timid and delicate in health, was scarcely "tough" enough to be expected to stand up to it all. His responsibilities would burden down even the strongest. But in the hottest of fires, the Master will be with Timothy, as He was with three other young men long years before (Dan. 3:25). And our experience, thank God, can be the same. As His children, we, too, can depend on His presence, no matter how difficult the circumstances may become.
This, then, is the first of the divinities to which Paul directs his young friend. The second is a divine power – "grace be with you." Grace: what a word. Here is love in action. One hymn expresses the idea of "grace to cover all my sin". The new birth comes first, but then we have "grace to cover all my need". How tremendous was Timothy's need, and ours, too. But, how enormous is the Lord's vast supply. There is a Greek word, which appears only twice in the New Testament. Each time used by Peter and in both places translated, "manifold". In 1 Peter 1:6, it is, "manifold temptations". We face many trials, troubles, and testings in life. How shall we stand firm? In 1 Peter 4:10, it is "manifold grace", i.e., one grace in myriad manifestations. Hold up your left hand, and look at the fingers and thumb as representative of the first "manifold"; and now your right, as picturing the second "manifold". As you view the one, bring across the other and cover it, exactly matching. You will observe all the fingers, and each of the fingers. Now, take the illustration into your soul. On one hand, the "manifold grace" is there to meet the "manifold temptations". On the other hand the shape and style of grace exactly corresponding to the shape and style of the need. Consider one last point: the "you" here is plural. It is usually translated, "with you all". We might say, "with you and yours" – all-sufficient grace for preacher and people, for shepherds and flock, alike. "Amen".
Conclusion
So ends the letter of this father to his son. Do we have any sons? Do we have any children in the faith? Have we brought any to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Paul brought Timothy, and many more? As we end our study, do we feel a longing to labor as a soul-winner so that we may have at least one son or daughter in the Lord? The salvation of one soul is worth more than the framing of a Magna Charta consisting of a thousand words. Indeed, "He that winneth souls is wise" (Prov. 11:30). And if we feel inadequate for such a holy task, then we need to speak with God about it, for He said, "I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). Paul wrote of his earnest longing, "that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22). Let us pray, "Please God, from the study of this great letter help me and lead me to a like frame of mind, and a like purpose of life".
