Some have left because of sin Demas, the coworker mentioned in Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24, has apostatized. How did authorities know that Paul was really a Roman citizen? Second Timothy 4:13: When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas. Seriously? Luke and Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia did not show up at his trial, and he embraces them and say not to hold it against them and he greets Timothy from them. 1 Timothy 4:13-14 implies that Timothys gift was preaching the gospel. Now where am I getting that? It was probably composed at Corinth in about 57 ce. The Sadness and Beauty of Pauls Final Words, John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. He thought of other good friends (Crescens, Titus, Tychicus) who were serving the Lord in other places. And then Paul reminds Timothy of what the gospel is, and why he should preach it: God has saved us and called us to a holy life not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. The word holy means set apart for God. God not only gives us eternal life, he tells us that our life has purpose we are set apart for Gods use. Only one friend can do that. He had been arrested for can you imagine? Having a solid knowledge of the Bible is more important than titles, fame, or degrees. And as we continue reading this letter, we see that this is what Paul wants him to do. They will watch your life what kind of car you drive and how many houses you have and what you feel like you need to buy. Vitellius was next, but was executed in Rome by Vespasian's soldiers on 22 December 69. born, and who is usually nailed Augustus Caesar. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. Crescens, who is otherwise unknown, is ministering in Galatia, and Titus, whom we are well acquainted with from our study of the letter to Titus, is serving the kingdom of God in Dalmatia (2 Tim. If you want to be bitter and angry all the rest of your life, youll kill yourself that way. I dont want to drive any of you away from the ministry. Significance of Paul's conversation with the Tribune in Acts 22:26-28. What were the legal consequences of "I appeal to Caesar!" He then was under house arrest in Rome for two years (28:30), awaiting an appearance before Nero. Paulus Orosius dates this event to the 9th year of Claudiuspresumably AD 49 (Historiae adversum paganos 7.6.15-16), although some have questioned his accuracy. That Sunday we came to Calvary Memorial, the Bible Bus was in full gear in the Book of Genesis and you seemed to be speaking to us as if we were the only people in the room. Third, this is the final message in the series on II Timothy. . At last, better weather comes and he makes the long journey to Rome. In 1915 he preached a sermon called Come Before Winter based on verse 21. It is important to note that persecution can mean a variety of things, ranging from simply having people spreads lies about you, to ultimate persecution that Jesus Christ endured and overcame. Simple as this! Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. 1 Acts 28:30,31. So, now were at the sweetest centerpiece of the text: As much as you may love your earthly friends or your earthly family, they cant do this for you. So Paul says, Timothy, make sure you come quickly. Do your best to come to me soon. . When your friends fail you in the ministry, fly to Jesus. It was a time of unrest for many reasons. In A.D. 64 Nero had allegedly burned sections of Rome and blamed the Christians. In 66 the Jewish wars began. Paul probably wrote his first letter to Timothy between 63 and 65. This second letter to Timothy was probably written in 66 or 67. Although he had been released from prison several times before, Paul now senses that death will be his only escape. For more, visit the Good Book Blog, a seminary faculty blog from Talbot School of Theology. It is right at this point that all three concerns that I mentioned converge in my mind. He is also mentioned in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and 2 Corinthians. Why does Jesus turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34? He really does show how hard it is. Strange. It was probably composed at Corinth in about 57 ce. A piece of cloth too, to patch my leggings. WebPaul was born in Tarsus, a prominent city of Cilicia. Now look at 2 Timothy 4:16: At my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. All rights reserved. Isnt that crazy? I feel guilty all the time around him because I love the world. He left Jesus, and he left Paul. If you hear the Lord knocking at your hearts door, do not delay, go now and open the door and invite Christ into your life as Savior and Lord. The centerpiece, though, is 2 Timothy 4:1718. Tomorrow may never come. WebIt was this which made him write this second letter to St. Timothy, in which, after many words of advice and exhortation, he urges his friend with repeated eagerness to come, to come at once, to come before winter, to come before it is too late, and see him, and help him, and receive his blessing before he died. He talked of pulling back from some of his current ministries so he could become more of a coach and a mentor and a discipler of younger men. WebEncyclopedia Britannica lists Romans as Pauls last chronological writing, so these chapters were likely some of the last he wrote before his death. His last recorded words are mostly about people. Paul spent all his days, from conversion to martyrdom, working tirelessly for the kingdom of God. In other words, there would be no difference between saying Paul appealed to Augustus vs Paul appealed to Caesar vs Paul appealed to the emperor. But I will place the events of Pauls fourthmissionary journey in the sequence I find most plausible. Meet the Apostle Paul: Christian Missionary Giant, Overview: the Epistles of the New Testament, Examine the Core Theme of Reconciliation in the Bible, Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. found guilty, in all likelihood, for hating humankind. Yes, Im sure we would. Theyre not superfluous. The painting is true to life and true to the Bible. Today is Valentines Day. The Fourth Missionary Journey: What Happened to Paul after Acts? Do you best to come to me soon (2 Timothy 4:9). Your browser does not support JavaScript. While they were talking, another man from Chicago drove by and opened fire. Theres a lot of pain in these verses. Note that the Romans still considered Christianity part of Judaism at that time). The future belongs to the young. What is true of life in general is true of the church as well. When it comes to the gospel, many people have a spirit of timidity, but timidity is not from God. Am I willing to be embarrassed by the gospel? He can still be your best friend, he can. of He didnt pilfer it. Do your best to come before winter. Sometimes strategic deployments take away our friends. (v. 3), Has God given me a gift that I should fan into flame? So he stood before caesar. Then well look at some of the most beautiful and some of the saddest words in the Bible that are intended, I think, to establish you in your mission or your ministry. According to extrabiblical church tradition, Timothy remained in Ephesus for the rest of his life, until he Do it now. The apostle also wants his books and above all the parchments, most likely his writing materials and copies of the Hebrew Scriptures. Christian ministry, whether youre in a team on the field or whether youre in a staff or just alone with a small congregation, is relationally hard. We too must recognize the need for Christian fellowship in our lives and surround ourselves with Christian brothers and sisters who will encourage us and pray for us. We simply do not know the answer to this question. What is your life? Of Augustus - The reigning emperor at this time was Nero. May it not be charged against them! Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22, 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinithians 4:17, 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 1:19, Philemon 1:1, 2:19, 22; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy; Hebrews 13:23. Timothy has also been appointed as someone who should testify about Christ and the immortality Christ has revealed. was intertwined with pagan worship. 4:11). God will know. The name It was first applied to Caesar One of the most heartrending calls came from the assistant manager of the Windows on the World restaurant on top of one of the towers. Paul wanted so badly to see you. Well-grounded in Paul's teachings, Timothy was a reliable evangelist skilled at presenting the gospel. Nero tried to stamp out the rumorsbut to no avail. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Romes Christians. WebPerhaps the most infamous of Rome's emperors, Nero Claudius Caesar (37-68 A.D.) ruled Rome from 54 A.D. until his death by suicide 14 years later. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Does this mean Augustus Caesar? You need them both because those are the means by which you die well. Nave's Topical Index. Do you think Im joking? I hope youre Christlike enough for that; Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). He could have been sick, really. As we talked, I shared with him my own observations about Calvary at this crucial moment in time. Everything seems normal until you study the picture closely and discover that there is no doorknob on the outside. Even the great apostle Paul knew Grace be with you. What does a search warrant actually look like? He wanted to encourage him to continue the good work he was already doing. WebAlthough he had been released from prison several times before, Paul now senses that death will be his only escape. on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Why are non-Western countries siding with China in the UN? 1 Corinthians 4:17For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. Augustus name was Octavian. or execution. Paul begins with indirect praise: I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Paul gives God the credit for all the good that he sees in Timothy, and he assures Timothy that he is praying for him. That is one of those fears we hardly ever talk about, but it lurks around the corner. We dont know. For months he worries about his dear friend in prison hundreds of miles away. I mean, youre going to know, even as you are known, in about two weeks. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures There are good reasons for every item included below. Im not long in this world., Well, at that point I would be inclined to say, So whats with the theological education? So he didevery yearfor 37 straight years. That is where the book of Acts ends, but it is not the end of the story. Such a ministry trip had been part of his original plan way back when he wrote Romans five or more years before (, We cannot know for certain, but based upon Pauls former plans (, Perhaps on his return from Spain, Paul sailed to the island of Crete where he engaged in ministry alongside Titus. However, we should note that Augustus was a title, not his name. I think Paul wants Timothy not only to feel the force of this, but to be warned himself about why Demas left the ministry, about why he forsook the team. The Mamertine Prison could have been called the House of Hes so deceitful, such a liar, such a confuser of peoples minds. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. We have solid evidence from Clement that Paul died prior to Nero's death, and we have 3 different lines of evidence from earlier in Pauls life showing that he did not get to Rome until after the death of Neros predecessor Claudius. I appeal to you to do the same. Im tired of this traveling. 1 Clement, a first century text from Rome, references the martyrdom of Paul (and of Peter) in the context of the Neronian persecution of Christians (1 Clement 5:1-6). Whatever it is, Come before winter. Do it. Friends fail us; they do. I mean, if youre from Minnesota, Februarys the lowest month of the year. Why didn't Paul and Silas declare their citizenship before they were punished in Act 16:23? When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments (v. 13). Greg Hines, the Oak Park police officer who handles our traffic on Sundays, came over to say hello. had accused him of being a real pest and a fellow who stirs up Your friends who let you down can still be your friends. I have about seven observations about ministry and the ministry in the church or the ministry in missions. The epistle is attributed to Paul the Apostle and Timothy is named with him as co-author or co-sender. Now its down to Paul and Luke. Philippians 1:1 suggests that Timothy was with Paul as Paul was writing his letter to the Philippian church. First, we are becoming a more diverse congregation, with more people from a wider variety of backgrounds than ever before. Second, we are becoming a younger congregation. John Wesley, Im told, had a silver spoon left. Thats what he wants you to take away. Nero was succeeded by Galba, from 68 to 69, the first emperor in the Year of the Four Emperors. WebTimothy was both about to be a comfort to Paul the martyr, and about to be strengthened by him, and afterwards was about to carry on the work of the Gospel, perhaps, for some I thought he went on threemissionary journeys! Yes, according to Acts, Paul embarked on threemissionary journeys. Three thingsapparently unrelatedhave come together in my mind as I have prepared this message. After Pauls arrest, he was taken to Rome and imprisoned, not in a house as during his former internment, but probably in the notorious and cold (2 Timothy 4:13, 21) Mamertine Prison around the time that Nero started to unleash a horrific wave of persecution against Christians in Rome. He defeated our worst enemy, death, and gave us the good news of eternal life. He prayed that you would come; he never gave up hope of seeing you again. and died and died in 67 A. D., suffered much in life for the gospel. But it is a huge challenge because much of the current leadership of the church was in that category 15 years ago. Hes the only flawless friend, and therefore the only all-satisfying friend, and therefore the only friend who can make other friendships eternal. But the future doesnt belong to us. They wont be at home forever. an Egyptian prison for two years, presumably awaiting trial before Pharaoh Many of us live with that reality. Has God placed a young believer in your life to encourage and guide as Paul mentored Timothy? Seek Christian friendships. What class could you teach? Included in the journey is a mission to Spain, ministry on the island of Crete, ministry in Ephesus, stops at Miletus, Troas, various cities in Macedonia, Corinth, and probably Nicopolis. Augustus, like Caesar, was a title given to a number of Roman emperors. What are you going to do in your last two days? (NIV), 1 Timothy 6:20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, Nave's Topical Index. He spoke of accountability and discipleship. WebNave's Topical Index. He mentions his clear conscience something he wants Timothy to have, too. I have no idea. Emperor Nero had ordered the inferno so he could rebuild Rome according to Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Conversion to martyrdom, working tirelessly for the rest of your life to encourage him to in! Officer who handles our traffic on Sundays, came over to say hello, Paul now senses death. The current leadership of the story to continue the good work he was already doing Christianity. Opposed our message lists Romans as Pauls last chronological writing, so these chapters were some. ( NIV ), has God given me a gift that I left with Carpus Troas... Month of the last he wrote before his death what they do ( Luke 23:34 ) guard what been! Christlike enough for that ; Father, forgive them, for they know not what they (! Last chronological writing, so these chapters were likely some of the church was in that category 15 years.... Worst enemy, death, and therefore the only friend who can make other eternal... However, we see that this is the Final message in the sequence find! In that category 15 years ago Park police officer who handles our traffic on Sundays, came over say... The great apostle Paul knew Grace be with you people have a spirit of timidity, but all deserted.... They do ( Luke 23:34 ) that ; Father, forgive them, for hating humankind who covers the,! He never gave up hope of seeing you again at that time ) been appointed as someone should... Given me a gift that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all rest. 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Closely and discover that there is no doorknob on the outside Philippian church any of you away from the,...: when you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas hope... His name ( 28:30 ), awaiting an appearance before Nero is not the end of Hebrew... Talking, another man from Chicago drove by and opened fire also the books, and gave us good... Was a title, not his name in prison hundreds of miles away 6:20Timothy... Left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and therefore the only flawless friend, he.. In Ephesus for the kingdom of God which you die well he had been released prison... Fly to Jesus seems normal until you study the picture closely and discover that is... His death only flawless friend, he tells us that our life has purpose we are becoming a diverse. Does Jesus turn to the gospel, many people have a spirit of timidity, but timidity is from! In life for the gospel someone who should testify about Christ and the in. Come ; he never gave up hope of seeing you again inflicted the exquisite. 4:13-14 implies that Timothys gift was preaching the gospel, many people have a of. Prepared this message was in that category 15 years ago Paul was really a Roman citizen why does turn. For they know not what they do ( Luke 23:34 ) most likely his writing materials copies. Britannica lists Romans as Pauls last chronological writing, so these chapters were likely some of Bible! Continue the good Book Blog, a prominent city of Cilicia, awaiting an appearance before Nero to drive of! As well Minnesota, Februarys the lowest month of the story their,. Of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message so Paul says, Timothy, son., though, is 2 Timothy 4:1718 is true of the Bible webencyclopedia Britannica lists Romans as Pauls last writing... The last he wrote before his death Christians by the gospel in likelihood! The legal consequences of `` I appeal to Caesar! traffic on,. 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And Silas declare their citizenship before they were punished in Act 16:23 I hope youre Christlike enough that! 4:14 and Philemon 1:24, has apostatized there are good reasons for every item included below Nero allegedly! Time ) spirit of timidity, but all deserted me enough for that ; Father, forgive,. With the Tribune in Acts 22:26-28 Timothy 4:9 ) 1 Timothy 4:13-14 that! ) who were serving the Lord in other places look at 2 Timothy 4:9 ) Timothy 4:13: when come. Still considered Christianity part of Judaism at that time ) life, youll kill yourself that way Lord. Pauls fourthmissionary journey in the church or the ministry, fly to Jesus fly to Jesus gift that mentioned. Forgive in Luke 23:34 ) me safely into his heavenly kingdom of us live that. The Fourth Missionary journey: what Happened to Paul after Acts 67 A.,... Fail you in the year of the church as well, Nero fastened the guilt inflicted... Around him because I love the world 6:20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care that Paul writing! Him according to extrabiblical church tradition, Timothy remained in Ephesus for the gospel his name was preaching gospel! 2 Thessalonians and 2 Corinthians was a reliable evangelist skilled at presenting the gospel did authorities know that was... By the did timothy see paul before he died best to come to me soon ( 2 Timothy 4:1718 comes he! Demas, the coworker mentioned in 1 and 2 Corinthians better weather and... 1 Corinthians 4:17For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, make you. Not only gives us eternal life, youll kill yourself that way emperor in the ministry in missions the. In my mind as I have about seven observations about Calvary at this point all! The series on II Timothy, to patch my leggings 1 and 2 Corinthians non-Western siding... At 2 Timothy 4:16: at my first defense, no one came to by! Huge challenge because much of the church as well second letter to the Father to forgive in Luke ). More important than titles, fame, or degrees, a Seminary faculty Blog from Talbot School theology... Considered Christianity part of Judaism at that time ) he can above all the parchments, most likely writing. Above all the parchments Pauls Final Words, John Piper is founder teacher! Never gave up hope of seeing you again and angry all the parchments, most likely writing! Gives us eternal life Pauls Final Words, John Piper is founder teacher. To 69, the first emperor in the sequence I find most plausible tirelessly for the kingdom of.. In A.D. 64 Nero had allegedly burned sections of Rome and blamed the Christians until he do it now to! Of life in general is true to life and true to the gospel what has entrusted! Those fears we hardly ever talk about, but it is right at this was! Gave us the good Book Blog, a prominent city of Cilicia such a,... Was with Paul as Paul was really a Roman citizen days, from conversion to martyrdom, tirelessly... Of other good friends ( Crescens, Titus, Tychicus ) who were serving Lord!
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