In the previous blog post, we saw that Peter knew he would soon die. Paul also knew he would not live much longer. He writes this in his second letter to his coworker and successor Timothy, whom he calls “a true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).
2 Timothy 4
6 (…) and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
But you
Paul warns Timothy in this letter about the dangerous times that are coming (2 Timothy 4:1). Christianity as a whole will turn away from the gospel. This letter is very personal; Paul addresses Timothy directly several times with the words: “But you.” While the crowd has drifted away, he addresses the individual.
Paul’s career is drawing to a close, and he passes the baton to Timothy. In his final words to Timothy, he still has very important matters to convey.
9 Make every effort to come to me quickly.
10 For Demas deserted me, loving the present age. He went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Urgency
Paul was in a hurry, given the use of the word “soon.” He knew his death was imminent and wanted to attend to something important. He needed Timothy for this, because many had already turned away from him (2 Tim. 1:15) and abandoned him (2 Tim. 4:16). Others, such as Crescens and Titus, were entrusted with other tasks.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me in the ministry.
son of Peter
Only Luke is still with Paul. We know that Luke is also the author of two books of the Bible: the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Two important documents related to the gathering of the other Scriptures.
Paul also mentions Mark and asks Timothy to bring him along. Peter calls Mark “my son” (1 Peter 5:13). In the Bible, a son is an heir. Mark was Peter’s right-hand man and successor, and Peter had something he would leave to his son.
Paul tells Timothy that Mark is very useful to him in the ministry. But what kind of ministry?
13 When you come, bring the cover that I left with Carpus at Troas, and also the scrolls, especially the parchments.
Cover
The word translated here as “cover” is the Greek phelonen and is translated as (travel) cloak in the Statenvertaling and NBG. In Greek literature, this word has many different applications. The word always refers to a covering or protection. This can be a cloak, but also a covering for very different purposes, such as transporting books, instruments, and other items. The core idea is always: something that envelops or protects.
Coat?
Wouldn’t it be strange that Paul, about to die and in a hurry to get things done and gather the right people for this, would be concerned about his coat?
The translators thought the context should indicate that it refers to a cloak, because in verse 21 Paul says, “Be diligent to arrive before winter.” But verse 21 is eight verses later than the verse where the cover is mentioned.
In verse 13, Paul speaks of: the cover, the books, and the parchments. It is therefore much more logical that Paul means a cover intended for organizing and transporting documents, namely books and parchments.
The Scriptures
Paul was aware of his approaching end and made an effort to gather the Scriptures! Timothy knew what Paul meant. He wasn’t just referring to some books and writings; Paul indicates: “bring the cover, and also the books, especially the parchments.” The Greek words translated as “books” are: ta biblia. In the latter, we still recognize our word “bible”: a library of various writings.