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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Ti_4:9-15
9Make every effort to come to me soon; 10for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonika; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.
2Ti_4:9 "make every effort to come to me soon" Paul was lonely (cf. 2Ti_4:21; Tit_3:12) and probably had eye problems (cf. 2Co_12:7), which made it difficult for him to be alone.
2Ti_4:10 "Demas has forsaken me" The historical context of Paul in prison, perhaps soon to be beheaded, may explain Demas' actions. It is uncertain as to how his forsaking Paul relates to his faith in Christ.
2Ti_4:10 "having loved" The verbal here (aorist active participle) is agapaô. The verbs agapaô and phileô are synonymous in the NT (note Joh_3:35; Joh_5:20; Joh_11:3; Joh_11:5).
▣ "this present world" This is literally "this present age." See Special Topic at 1Ti_6:17. Demas chose the immediate over the eternal. The pull of this world is very strong, but it is only transitory (cf. 1Jn_2:15-17).
▣ "gone to Thessalonika" Compare Phm_1:24 with Act_20:4. Artistarchus and also possibly Demas were from Thessalonika.
▣ "Crescens has gone to Galatia" There is a Greek manuscript variation involving the destination of Crescens.
1. the Asia Minor (western Turkey) Roman province of Galatia (cf. MSS A, D, F, G)
2. southern France, then called Gaul (Galatia, cf. MSS à , C)
3. Galilee in Palestine (cf. Vulgate, Coptic, and Armenian versions)
The United Bible Societies' fourth edition (UBS4) of The Greek New Testament gives "Galatia" (#1) an "B" rating meaning almost certain. If #2 it would support the fact that Paul did visit the eastern Mediterranean.
▣ "Titus to Dalmatia" He was one of Paul's faithful Apostolic delegates (cf. 2Co_3:2; 2Co_7:6; 2Co_7:12-12; 2Co_8:6; 2Co_8:16; 2Co_8:23; 2Co_12:18; Gal_2:1; Gal_2:3; Tit_1:4). Dalmatia was a Roman province in the southern area of Illyricum (cf. Rom_15:19, the former Yugoslavia). Paul preached there in Act_20:1. It is north of Macedonia. This assignment is the last we hear of Titus in the NT.
2Ti_4:11 "Luke" He was a Gentile physician (cf. Col_4:14; Phm_1:24 and the "we" sections of Acts). It is possible that the term physician may simply mean "educated." He is the only non-Jewish NT author (i.e., the Gospel of Luke, Acts, and possibly the scribe for the Pastoral Letters).
▣ "Mark" This is John Mark, in whose house the Last Supper may have been observed (cf. Act_12:12). He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey, but for some reason quit the team (cf. Act_15:38). Paul and Barnabas had an argument over Mark's inclusion on the second missionary journey resulting in two separate mission teams (cf. Act_15:36-41). Paul and John Mark did later reconcile (cf. Col_4:10).
2Ti_4:12 "Tychicus" Ephesus was the church and city where Paul spent the most time and effort. Timothy was in Ephesus when Paul wrote 1 Timothy. Tychicus was Paul's trusted messenger (cf. Act_20:4; Col_4:7; Eph_6:21; Tit_3:12) who was probably the bearer of 2 Timothy to Timothy and was possibly Timothy's replacement.
2Ti_4:13 "the cloak" This was a large, heavy garment which was used as a coat and also as a sleeping bag during the winter.
▣ "Troas" This was a port city on the coast of modern western Turkey. It was the location of Paul's "Macedonian vision" recorded in Act_16:6-10. Apparently Paul had established a work there at some point.
▣ "and the books, especially the parchments" Even Paul felt the need to study and read. The "parchments" refer to tanned animal skins which were used for writings. Their name is taken from Pergamum where they were invented. This was very expensive but durable writing material. It probably referred to OT scrolls. "The books" may refer to letters or legal documents. However, this is all speculation.
2Ti_4:14 "Alexander" This was a common name, so we are not sure whether he was
1. the same person mentioned in Act_19:33-34
2. the false teacher mentioned in 1Ti_1:20, along with Hymenaeus
3. another unknown Alexander
He is another example of the opposition to the gospel, whether without or within the church.
▣ "the Lord will repay him according to his deeds" This is a spiritual principle. God is ethical and moral and so is His creation. Humans break themselves on God's standards. We reap what we sow. This is true for believers (but does not affect salvation) and unbelievers (cf. Job_34:11; Psa_28:4; Psa_62:12; Pro_24:12; Ecc_12:14; Jer_17:10; Jer_32:19; Mat_16:27; Mat_25:31-46; Rom_2:6; Rom_14:12; 1Co_3:8; Gal_6:7-10; 2Ti_4:14; 1Pe_1:17; Rev_2:23; Rev_20:12; Rev_22:12).
▣ "Be on guard against him" This is a present middle imperative. Be on constant vigilance. Evil is present and vicious! It comes from both without and within!