I have spoken before about this thing I call…surface reading… we all do it and I find the most prevalent time this happens to me is while studying or reading the Bible. I also believe that it happens to a lot of folks. Over the years all of us most likely have read the same stories and verses many times, some in fact are just a matter of rote. Because we know the story we get ahead of the words. So this week let’s take awhile to meet these people, some of Paul’s friends in the ministry. From 2Timothy 4:9-22…  “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia”…Demas, in Greek is probably the short form of Demetrios, a man mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament of the Bible, and appears to have been involved for a time in his ministry. Keep in mind that Paul is writing this letter while in prison in Rome. He also writes of Crescens who has gone to Galatia. Crescens was an individual who appears in the New Testament. He is traditionally considered one of the 72 disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10. Mentioned with him is also Titus. He was a Gentile converted to Christianity by Paul. He was a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts. 

Now onto verse 11…

“Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.” Ok, Luke is an easy one…Luke was a physician and possibly a Gentile. He was not one of the original 12 Apostles but may have been one of the 70 disciples appointed by Jesus (Luke 10). He also may have accompanied St. Paul on his missionary journeys. Mark is known as Peter’s interpreter, both in speech and in writing. As a fisherman from Galilee, Peter may not have spoken Greek fluently, so Mark interpreted for him. In his book, Mark wrote down the observations and memories of Peter, one of the original Apostles. We continue with verses 12-13. “12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.”

Here is a fellow that doesn’t often get the recognition due him. He is only mentioned five times in the New Testament but his ministry is considered noteworthy. We first hear of him during Paul’s third missionary journey. He is mentioned as one of Paul’s companions on the way from Corinth to Jerusalem to deliver a gift to the church there. Tychicus was a native of Asia, or what we would call Asia Minor today. Paul called him a “dear brother” and a “faithful servant” of the Lord’s. One other thought from “Got Questions”, a great site for any questions you might have about the Bible…

“We may not know much about Tychicus, but what we do know is impressive and praiseworthy. Tychicus was a trusted messenger, faithful preacher, and loyal friend.” 

We also notice a name mentioned only once in the New Testament, Carpus. We know that he was in Troas and Paul left his cloak with him. Paul must have known him very well and been acquainted with the family of Carpus. Most likely one of his converts. He had to have considerable confidence in him, since he committed to his care not only the comparatively valueless “cloak,” but especially the priceless “books and parchments.”  

This next verse 14 introduces us to a coppersmith that Paul felt had done him great harm. His name is Alexander. In verse 15 Paul sends a warning…”15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.” Alexander the coppersmith, “a worker of metals.” The crux of the problem was that Paul’s preaching was hurting their business of idol making and they wanted Paul gone.

Let’s move to the last few verses in 2 Timothy chapter 4. Verses 19-22 are Paul’s final greetings. We start off with verses 19-20… 

“19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.” There are five names here…

Priscilla and Aquila – Priscilla and Aquila were a first century Christian missionary married couple described in the New Testament. Aquila is traditionally listed among the Seventy Disciples. They lived, worked, and traveled with the Apostle Paul, who described them as his “fellow workers in Christ Jesus”. Wikipedia

Onesiphorus – Onesiphorus was a Christian referred to in the New Testament letter of Second Timothy. According to the letter sent by St. Paul, Onesiphorus sought out Paul who was imprisoned at the time in Rome. Wikipedia

Erastus –  A person named Erastus mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:20 and Acts 19:22 is often taken to be the same person. According to the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Erastus is numbered among the Seventy Disciples. He served as a deacon and steward of the Church at Jerusalem and later of Paneas in Palestine. Wikipedia

 

Trophimus – Trophimus or Trophimus the Ephesian was a Christian who accompanied Paul during a part of his third missionary journey. He was with Paul in Jerusalem, and the Jews, supposing that the apostle had brought him into the temple, raised a tumult which resulted in Paul’s imprisonment. Wikipedia

The chapter ends with these verses…21-22…

“21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. 22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.”

Eubulus – (Euboulos, literally, “of good counsel,” 2 Tim 4:21): One of the members of the church in Rome at the time of Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome.

Pudens, Linus, Claudia – Pudens was an early Christian saint and martyr. He is mentioned as a layman of the Roman Church in 2 Timothy 4:21. He is said to have been the son of Quintus Cornelius Pudens, a Roman senator, and his wife Priscilla. According to tradition, they were among the first converted by Peter in Rome. wikipedia.org

Claudia – The only mention of Claudia in the Bible occurs in 2 Timothy 4:21. In this verse, Paul mentions Claudia in his final greetings to Timothy while Paul is imprisoned in Rome.  Claudia has intrigued biblical scholars, and many have sought to understand her brief role in Paul’s letter to Timothy. She was a Christian woman, her heart was devoted to Paul, and she knew Timothy.

Linus – Linus is named in the valediction of the Second Epistle to Timothy. In that epistle, Linus is noted as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul’s life. Irenaeus stated that this is the same Linus who became Bishop of Rome. Wikipedia

I hope you have enjoyed this new way of looking at scripture. I believe it helps us to see the story better when we understand who these people were and what part they have in the narrative.

Not everyone has the time to look this deep into the scripture. I am retired and this wonderful world of digital knowledge allows me to share with you some of the stuff beyond the word. I like to share the word and I like to think “The Pew” shares, and informs and we encourage others to desire to know more about our Christian faith. 

Life is Good

jk