Lonely. 2 Timothy 4:9-12.
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
Dear Holy Nation,
There are times when God’s people may be called upon to walk a lonely path. Paul is on that path in prison. Wishing for a brotherly company but only one is with him.
Desperation (v. 9). Paul wants Timothy to come to him quickly. This may be because he fears that he may soon be executed and would miss the opportunity to say one last word of advice to Timothy, or because the impending winter (v. 21) would make it difficult for Timothy to travel. Whatever the case, there is an urgency to his request.
Desertion (vv. 10,12).Demas, probably the same one who was with Paul in earlier imprisonment in Rome (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24), has abandoned Paul for the world. We have no idea what, specifically, but it may have been an opportunity for a business or simply to be away from the risky environment around Paul. After all the years, Demas finishes badly. Crescens, Titus was most likely sent on missions by Paul, while Tychicus may have carried this letter to Ephesus if he had not been sent there earlier. Paul is lonely for his friends.
Desire (v. 11). Paul wishes for more company around him. Luke is with him as he has been most of Paul’s life. But Paul wants to see Timothy and Mark. That he is asking for Mark at all demonstrates the grace of God. Paul had earlier rejected Mark (Acts 15:37-39) but Barnabas, the “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36) had taken Mark with him (Acts 15:39) and obviously mentored him well. Never write anyone off! In his lonesomeness, Paul desires the company of one he formerly rejected.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.