MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 2 Timothy 4:19-22
A Martyr’s Last Words—
I. Breathe the spirit of love towards tried and faithful friends.—“Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (2 Timothy 4:19). How tenderly this salutation would be prized when the friends received intelligence of the apostle’s fate! Love is precious the more it is tested and tried. The heart is impoverished indeed that cannot find room for its best friends. Love reveals itself in words and deeds.
II. Indicate unabated interest in the movements and condition of former fellow-labourers.—“Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick” (2 Timothy 4:20). Erastus was a frequent companion of Paul (Acts 19:22), possibly the same as referred to in Romans 16:23, and was the chamberlain or city steward and treasurer of Corinth. As he left Trophimus in sickness at Miletus, we learn that his power of healing the sick was limited and exercised only on special occasions and for a special purpose. To the last Paul kept in touch with his fellow-workers, and retained his anxious concern for the spread of the gospel.
III. Reveal a yearning for sympathetic companionship in the prospect of approaching doom.—“Do thy diligence to come before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21). Before the winter storms begin, when navigation would be impossible, or it may be too late. And Paul would need his cloak to protect him from winter cold. A companion like Timothy was what the apostle especially desired; but we have no record that the longed-for interview ever took place. How many of our yearnings are never satisfied! And yet they are not altogether useless. The highest cravings of the soul are gratified only in Christ.
IV. Do not neglect the grace of Christian courtesy.—“Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren” (2 Timothy 4:21). Pudens and Claudia afterwards married—she a Roman knight, he a Briton surnamed Rufina. Linus afterwards became a bishop. Eubulus is identified with Aristobulus, who, with his converts, is said to have been among the first evangelists of Britain. Paul himself, says Clement, “visited the farthest West—perhaps Britain, certainly Spain—and was martyred under the rulers of Rome, who were Nero’s vicegerents in his absence from the city.” Paul was not so absorbed with his own troubles as to neglect to send the joint commendations of the saints in Rome. Christianity is the essence of true courtesy.
V. Concludes with the invocation of Divine blessing.—“The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:22). Grace is invoked for Timothy and the members of the Ephesian and neighbouring Churches to whom this epistle would be read. We need no more to make us happy and inspire us to Christian work than the presence of Christ and the enriching favour of God.
Lessons.—
1. The uncertainty of life should intensify our interest in God’s work.
2. Courtesy is a grace of the Christian spirit.
3. We cannot die better than with a prayer for others on our lips.