After finishing his statements about his impending death, Paul begins to wrap up his letter with some concluding remarks. However, everything he has written to Timothy up to this point provides the foundation for these final paragraphs.

He begins by listing three different people in 2 Timothy 4:9-10:

Paul’s letter to Timothy follows the usual structure of most of his letters, and is typical of letters from this time period in general. He moves into some concluding and personal remarks to Timothy.

Paul is probably sending this letter to Timothy through Tychicus, who is headed to Ephesus (verse 12). This man will most likely replace Timothy so that he may join Paul for his final time on earth (see 2 Timothy 1:4). In fact, he desires Timothy to come quickly. He doesn’t know how long he has left, and wants to spend that time with his son in the faith, passing on to Timothy as much as possible.

Even though it will take some time from the sending of Paul’s letter to Timothy’s arrival in Rome, Paul knows that the political system takes time to function as well. There is time, but if Timothy tarries, that time may run out.

In this passage, Paul lists three names, one of whom apparently gave up the faith and abandoned Paul. The other two, Crescens and Titus, seem to have been dispatched upon legitimate missions. With Tychicus traveling to Ephesus, this leaves only Luke (verse 11).

Demas

This is a familiar name in Paul’s letters. Demas was a co-worker with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24). But now, he has deserted Paul because he loves the things of the world too much. Paul may have been contrasting Demas with those who keep the faith in verse 8. Why he went to Thessalonica is unknown; perhaps it was his home.

Crescens

While Demas had abandoned Paul, the next two men he mentions probably left for legitimate reasons, staying true to the faith. Nothing else is known of Crescens, other than Paul states that he went to Galatia. Paul has had much impact in that region, and Crescens may have gone to encourage the churches there. A textual variant indicates that he went to Gaul rather than Galatia, but whether this is the case or not is unknown.

Titus

Titus, who was on the island of Crete when Paul wrote his letter to him, was headed to Dalmatia at this point. This was just up the Adriatic coast from Nicopolis, where Paul spent a winter, as mentioned in Titus 3:12.

With these three men gone, Paul is left almost alone. We see in the next verse that Luke is still with him, but he longs to see Timothy and impart as much instruction and encouragement as he can before his life ends. And the desertion of Demas may have hit Paul pretty hard, leading him to the point of despair.

Paul had surrounded himself with encouraging co-laborers, but most of these had gone on. His desire was to see a close friend, such as Timothy, both to give and receive strength and encouragement.

We would be well advised to do the same thing. Without others around us to help shoulder the load, we can quickly give in to discouragement and despair. Our strength comes from our unity.

Question: Who do you have around you that serves to strengthen and encourage you? And in who’s life do you fulfill that role? You can leave a comment by clicking here.