2 Timothy 4:9-22

4:9-21 | Serving God often produces loneliness. Although the Lord ultimately strengthens His servants, human friendship provides further courage to face the hardships and disappointments of ministry. Paul names 17 people here, indicating how important his friendships are to him. Timothy and Onesiphorus were among the few who widely ministered to Paul and remained true in his darkest hours.

4:10-13 | Paul was separated from some of his co-laborers (Crescens, Titus, Mark, Tychicus, Carpus) simply because they were fulfilling the ministry duties he had assigned them.

4:10-11 | Demas was a fair-weather friend and a fair-weather follower of Christ. Paul had once dismissed Mark as a quitter (Acts 15:37-40). Yet when Mark proved his renewed commitment to the gospel, Paul welcomed him back as a fellow laborer, and they reconciled (Col. 4:10).

4:13 | Helping people in need usually involves more than just prayer. They may need physical comfort, companionship, or mental stimulation for redeeming the time. The books may have been Paul’s copies of the OT Scriptures in Greek or the collected words of Jesus. Parchments probably refers to copies of Paul’s letters or the costly animal-hide sheets on which he wrote them. His cloak was a coat-like garment that also served as a blanket.

4:16 | At my first defense speaks of Paul’s first imprisonment. Evidently not one Christian in Rome at the time supported or stood with him as he faced his accusers.

4:17-18 | The presence of God keeps people true to the cause of Christ when all earthly supports have been removed. In every situation where Christians need courage, they need Christ! Thankfully, in every situation where problems present themselves, the Lord presents Himself (Josh. 1:5-9; Ps. 34:7; 2 Cor. 12:9).

4:18 | As Paul experienced, God dos not always rescue His saints from their physical circumstances, but nothing can keep God’s people from His heavenly kingdom (Ps. 121:7; 2 Pet. 2:9).