2 Timothy 4:9-11 Paul beckons Timothy

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Jesu Jevu!

   2 Timothy 4:  ⁹ Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:       So, what is Paul saying here?  Paul wants Timothy to come see him as soon as he can.  Why?   Paul wants to encourage Timothy to continue the good fight, plus, Paul want to be encouraged himself.  Paul is going to suffer death and would like to do so courageously.  Timothy is to continue carrying the cross of Christ and Paul knows some have deserted him in this time of toil and death.
 
¹⁰ For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 

  Demas left Paul and went to Thessalonica where the his (Demas) secular views invited him. Or, in simple words, when the race became tough he went back to the easy and worldly ways. Possibly he was terrified by the fate that now stood in place for Paul; he was with Paul on Paul's first imprisonment.
     However, on the other hand, Crescens and Titus have left with Pauls consent or blessings. God is giving Paul the wisdom necessary at this time to see clearly the "writing on the wall" and what must happen.  Crescens is thought, by tradition, to be a preacher.  No more is really known about Titus going to Dalmatia.
¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Paul is telling Timothy that one of his fellow ministers, Luke is there with him. Luke, one of his fellow labourers in Christ was there with him to encourage him in this, Paul's final trial.  He (Paul) tells Timothy to bring Mark with him.  The theologians are not in total agreement of who this Mark is.  Some believe Mark of the original apostles and writer of Mark; some think him to be another Mark who has come to the brotherhood of Christ.  Either way, Paul says Mark is profitable to him for the ministry.  Mark, it is believed,  was once the one Paul sent back when he and Barnabas were together; but now has grown enough in Christ to be profitable to the ministry. Mark was John Mark, Barnabas' nephew.  Click here to see the disagreement in scripture between Paul and Barnabas.

To know more about Paul's final journey and some of his evangelizing click here.    

  Okay, today has been a wonderful journey for men, I do hope it was for you as well.  Love you all.

Deo Soli Gloria

Johnny