Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
11. Only Luke ] Lucas is a contraction of Lucanus, which occurs frequently in inscriptions, and may indicate the position of a libertus or freedman: many such, we know, were the house physicians, the profession, as such, being in very little esteem. See Plaut. Menchm. 2Ti 4:3-5, and cf. Bekker’s Gallus, p. 207. St Luke is distinguished from ‘they of the circumcision,’ Col 4:14, and so cannot be identified with Lucius St Paul’s ‘kinsman,’ Rom 16:21. He first appears as a companion of St Paul, Act 16:1, at a time very nearly that of an attack of the Apostle’s constitutional malady or ‘thorn in the flesh,’ Gal 4:13; and the words in Col 4:14 ‘the beloved physician’ seem to breathe a feeling of personal gratitude and obligation. St Luke travelled with the Apostle on his last journey to Jerusalem (Act 21:1) and also, two years later from Jerusalem to Rome (Act 27:2). The absence of his name from the greetings in Philippians may be due to his having then left Rome for a time; but he was again with him before the close of the two years, Col 4:14, Phm 1:24; and is now at his side ‘alone’ in his last hours. See Introd. p. 44. After St Paul’s death, according to Epiphanius cont. Hr. li. 11, St Luke ‘preaches first in Dalmatia and Gallia; in Italy and Macedonia, but first in Gallia; as Paul himself says of some of his companions in his epistles “Crescens in Gallia,” for we are not to read “in Galatia” as some mistakenly think, but “in Gallia.” ’ Bithynia and Achaia are named as the place of his martyrdom somewhere between a.d. 75 and a.d. 100.
For a striking comparison drawn between St Luke and Demas see Keble’s Poem on St Luke’s Day ( Christian Year):
‘Two converts, watching by his side,
Alike his love and greetings share;
Luke the beloved, the sick soul’s guide,
And Demas, named in faltering prayer.
Pass a few years look in once more
The Saint is in his bonds again;
Save that his hopes more boldly soar,
He and his lot unchanged remain.
But only Luke is with him now!
Alas! that even the martyr’s cell,
Heaven’s very gate, should scope allow
For the false world’s seducing spell.’
Take Mark ] A.V. varies between ‘Mark’ and ‘Marcus’ in the different passages where the name occurs. R.V. rightly throughout ‘Mark’ (Lightfoot, N. T. Rev., p. 157). ‘Marcus’ was the Latin surname for John (Johanan, the Grace of God) the son of Mary, who lived at Jerusalem, apparently with good means (Act 12:12), and ‘cousin’ of Barnabas of Cyprus (Col 4:10). He and his mother must have been well known to St Peter, who went to her house straight from the prison; and the phrase ‘Mark my son’ 1Pe 5:13 makes it probable that he was converted by that Apostle. Compare a similar phrase in 1Ti 1:2 ; 1Ti 1:18. He was ‘minister’ to Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey through Cyprus, but left them at Perga (Act 13:5; Act 13:13), possibly to escape the dangers of Asia Minor; and for this reason St Paul declined to have his help on the second journey (Act 15:38) though at the cost of breaking with St Barnabas, who took St Mark again to Cyprus. A reconciliation must have taken place before we next hear of him, as he is reckoned by St Paul in the first imprisonment at Rome as one of his ‘fellow labourers unto the kingdom’ who have been ‘a comfort’ unto him, Col 4:10. After this he seems to have joined St Peter at ‘Babylon’ (1Pe 5:13) whence he must have returned to Asia Minor, so that Timothy could now ‘take him up.’ After St Paul’s death he is said to have laboured in Egypt and to have died by martyrdom. His Gospel must have been written between a.d. 63 and a.d. 70; according to Irenus, after the deaths of St Peter and St Paul; according to Jerome, ‘Peter relating and Mark writing.’ See Maclear’s Introduction to St Mark’s Gospel, pp. 14, 15, &c. As especially in keeping (by undesigned coincidence) with what we have seen above of St Mark’s own fall and restoration and his slow advance to settled power as a ‘fellow labourer unto the kingdom’ and ‘profitable to the ministry,’ we should observe (if it has not been noticed in this connexion before) what significance the two parables and the one miracle have which are recorded only by St Mark. They are the healing of the deaf and dumb man at Decapolis, with the five stages in his gradual cure (Mar 7:31), the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida, with the four successive stages (Mar 8:22), and the parable of the seed growing secretly and slowly, ‘ first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear ’ (Mar 4:26). Among the many lessons learnt from Christ, through St Peter, this laid hold of St Mark; it fitted his need, gave him good hope and heart that he could indeed ‘rise on stepping-stones of his dead self’ to a new and higher life; and what he thus found so true in his own case he could not but put on record, to be a ‘profitable ministry’ through the Holy Spirit to very many ‘feeble-hearts,’ who like him have become ‘great-hearts’ and ‘lion-hearts’ for Christ.
‘Companion of the Saints! ’twas thine
To taste that drop of peace divine,
When the great soldier of thy Lord
Call’d thee to take his last farewell,
Teaching the Church with joy to tell
The story of your love restored.’
The Christian Year, ‘St Mark’s Day.’
profitable for the ministry ] Lit. serviceable for ministering. Observe the emphatic position of the verb ‘for he is,’ almost implying ‘whatever he once may have been’: primarily this ministering would be to himself, as Erastus and Timothy are designated ‘ministers unto him,’ Act 19:22.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Only Luke is with me – Luke, the author of the gospel which bears his name, and of the Acts of the Apostles. For a considerable part of the ministry of Paul, he was his traveling companion (compare the notes on Act 16:10), and we know that he went with him to Rome; Act 27:1.
Take Mark – John Mark, see the notes at Act 15:37. He was the son of a sister of Barnabas, and had been the traveling companion of Barnabas and Paul. There had been a temporary alienation between Paul and him Act 15:38; but this passage proves that that had been removed, and that Paul was reconciled to him.
For he is profitable to me for the ministry – In what way he would be profitable, he does not say; nor is it known why Mark was at that time with Timothy. It may be observed, however, that this is such language as Paul might be expected to use of Mark, after what had occurred, as recorded in Act 15:38. He felt that he was now about to die. If he suspected that there was on the part of Mark any lingering apprehension that the great apostle was not entirely reconciled to him, or retained a recollection of what had formerly occurred, nothing would be more natural than that, at this trying time of his life, Paul should summon him to his side, and express toward him the kindest emotions. It would soothe any lingering irritation in the mind of Mark, to receive such a message.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Only Luke is with me.] This was Luke the evangelist, and writer of the Acts of the Apostles, who was always much attached to St. Paul, and it is supposed continued with him even to his martyrdom.
Take Mark, and bring him with thee] This was John Mark, the sister’s son of Barnabas, who, after having wavered a little at first, became a steady, zealous, and useful man; his name and conduct have been often before the reader. See the parallel passages.
For he is profitable to me for the ministry.] . For service; that is, he would be very useful to the apostle, to minister to him in his present close confinement. Some think that the apostle means his preaching the Gospel; but at this time, I should suppose, there was very little, if any, public preaching at Rome.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Only Luke is with me; of whom we also read Col 4:14. He was a physician, Pauls fellow labourer, Phm 1:24.
Take Mark, and bring him with thee; of Mark we read Act 12:12; 15:37. He was kinsman to Barnabas, Col 4:10. It appears by that text that he was at Rome with Paul, and his fellow labourer, Phm 1:24, For he is prifitable to me for the ministry; the ministry of the gospel. Pauls care was more for that, than for a ministering to himself, though he was a prisioner.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. TakeGreek, “takeup” on thy journey (Act 20:13;Act 20:14). John Mark wasprobably in, or near, Colosse, as in the Epistle to the Colossians(Col 4:10), written two yearsbefore this, he is mentioned as about to visit them. Timothy was nowabsent from Ephesus and somewhere in the interior of Asia Minor;hence he would be sure to fall in with Mark on his journey.
he is profitable to me forthe ministryMark had been under a cloud for having forsakenPaul at a critical moment in his missionary tour with Barnabas(Act 15:37-40; Act 13:5;Act 13:13). Timothy hadsubsequently occupied the same post in relation to Paul as Mark onceheld. Hence Paul, appropriately here, wipes out the past censure byhigh praise of Mark and guards against Timothy’s makingself-complacent comparisons between himself and Mark, as though hewere superior to the latter (compare Phm24). Demas apostatizes. Mark returns to the right way, and is nolonger unprofitable, but is profitable for the Gospel ministry (Phm11).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Only Luke is with me,…. The beloved physician, who wrote the Gospel that bears his name, and “the Acts of the Apostles”, and was a constant companion of Paul’s in his travels and sufferings:
take Mark, and bring him with thee; who might be at Ephesus, or somewhere in Timothy’s way as he came to Rome. This seems to be the same with John Mark of Jerusalem, the son of Mary, the sister of Barnabas, and who was with Paul and Barnabas in their travels, and who parted from them at Pamphylia; on whose account, and for that reason, there was so great a difference between Paul and Barnabas, as to separate upon it; but now the apostle had entertained a better opinion of him, and was reconciled unto him, and was very desirous of his company and assistance; and which he had, Col 4:10.
For he is profitable to me for the ministry; that is, of the Gospel, to assist in preaching it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Only Luke is with me ( ‘ ). Luke is with Paul now in Rome as during the first Roman imprisonment (Phlm 1:24; Col 4:14).
Take Mark ( ). Second aorist active participle of , old verb, to pick up, as in Eph 6:13; Eph 6:16. “Pick up Mark.”
He is useful to me ( ). See 2:21 for . Paul had long ago changed his opinion of Mark (Col 4:10) because Mark had changed his conduct and had made good in his ministry. Now Paul longs to have the man that he once scornfully rejected (Ac 15:37ff.).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Luke. See Intro. to Luke. His connection with Paul appears first in Act 16:10. He remained at Philippi after Paul ‘s departure, and was there seven years later, when Paul revisited the city (Act 20:5, 6). He accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Act 21:15), after which we lose sight of him until he appears at Caesarea (Act 27:2), whence he accompanies Paul to Rome. He is mentioned Col 4:14 and Phl 1:24.
Take [] . In N. T. mostly in Acts. See on Act 23:31, and comp. Act 20:13, 14.
Mark. Mentioned Col 4:10; Phl 1:24; 1Pe 5:13. Probably John Mark (Act 12:12, 25; Act 14:37), called the cousin of Barnabas (Col 6:10). The first mention of him since the separation from Paul (Act 14:39) occurs in Colossians and Philemon. He is commended to the church at Colossae. In 1st Peter he sends salutations to Asia. In both Colossians and Philemon his name appears along with that of Demas. In Colossians he is named shortly before Luke and along with Aristarchus who does not appear here. He (Mark) is about to come to Asia where 2nd Timothy finds him. The appearance in Colossians of Aristarchus with Mark and of Demas with Luke is probably the point of connection with the representation in 2nd Timothy.
Profitable for the ministry [ ] . Eucrhstov profitable, only here, chapter 2Ti 2:21, Phl 1:11. For for the ministry rend. for ministering or for service, and see on 1Ti 1:12.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Only Luke is with me.” (loukos estin monos met’ emou) “Luke is alone with me;” as a confidant, missionary helper, a freed man, a physician who joined Paul on his second missionary journey, Act 16:10; Act 20:6; Act 21:15; Act 24:23; Act 28:16.
2) “Take Mark, and bring him with thee” (markon analabon age meta seautou) “Take (by influence persuasion) Mark (and) bring (him) with thyself” Mark had been under a cloud for deserting, forsaking Paul on his first missionary journey, at a critical moment, Act 15:37-41; Act 13:5; Act 13:13. Paul wiped out the past censure on Mark with high praise of his present usefulness, after the passing of fourteen years.
3) “For he is profitable to me for the ministry” (estin gar moi euchrestos eis diakonian) “For he is to me useful (a blessing) to the common ministry;” Mark was perhaps in or near Timothy, in Colosse, as two years before he was about to visit them, Col 4:10; Act 20:13-14. His profit to Paul perhaps lay in his knowledge of Latin, so as to preach in Rome. He was Peter’s son by conversion, 1Pe 5:13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(11) Only Luke is with me.The writer of the Third Gospel, the Gospel which, as has been stated above, was very possibly the work of St. Paulmy Gospel. Luke, the beloved physician of Col. 4:14, of all St. Pauls companions, seems to have been most closely associated with the Apostle. Most likely this close intimacy and long-continued association was owing to the Apostles weak and infirm healthto that dying bodythe noble Paul ever bore about with him. Luke was with St. Paul, we know, in his second missionary journey, and again in his third missionary journey; he accompanied him to Asia, and then to Jerusalem; was with him during the captivity time of Csarea, and subsequently of Rome, the first time St. Paul was imprisoned in the capital (Acts 18). After St. Pauls death, Epiphanius speaks of him as preaching chiefly in Gaul; a very general tradition includes him among the martyrs of the first age of the Church. The name is probably a contraction of Lucanus. (See Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles.)
Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them . . . and went not with them to the work (Act. 15:38). There is something strangely touching in this message of the aged master to Timothy to bring with him on that last solemn journey one whom, some quarter of a century before, St. Paul had judged so severely, and on whose account he had separated from his old loved friend, Barnabas the Apostle. Since that hour when the young missionarys heart had failed him in Pamphylia, Mark had, by steady, earnest work, won back his place in St. Pauls heart. Barnabas, we know, when his brother Apostle rejected him, took him with him to Cyprus. After some twelve years, we find him, during the first imprisonment, with St. Paul at Rome (Col. 4:10; Phm. 1:24). He is mentioned (1Pe. 5:13) by the endearing term of my son, and the unanimous traditions of the ancient Christian writers represent him as the secretary or amanuensis of St. Peter. It was his office to commit to writing the orally delivered instructions and narrations of his master. These, in some revised and arranged form, probably under the direction of Peter himself, were given to the Church under the title of St. Marks Gospel. A later and uncertain tradition says he subsequently became first Bishop of Alexandria, and there suffered martyrdom.
For he is profitable to me for the ministry.Profitable, according to the suggestion of Grotius, owing to Marks knowledge of the Latin tongue. This is possible; but it is more likely that he was profitable or serviceable as an assistant who was well acquainted with the details of St. Pauls many sided work.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Luke See notice of Luke, vol. 2, p. 11, and note Act 13:1.
Mark According to Col 4:10, he is commended to Colosse. Timothy might easily take Mark from there if he received this epistle at Ephesus.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Only Luke is with me.’
The needs of the churches had been such that he had dispensed with all his companions, except one. Faithful Luke. Possibly he was still necessary because of Paul’s physical problems. But he had kept Paul company on his first journey to Rome, and he was with him now. In Col 4:4 he is called ‘the beloved physician’. In Phm 1:24 he is called ‘a fellow-labourer’. He was the kind of man who never pushed himself forward, but was totally reliable, and always available when he was needed, and ready for anything. His Gospel had probably already been written, for its sequel Acts knows nothing of this imprisonment of Paul under threat.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
‘Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministering.’
‘Useful for ministering’ probably means ‘is a useful man to have around because he can set his hand to anything’. Mr Unreliable who had deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first mission, had become Mr Reliable. It is a reminder that we must not always judge people by first impressions, for they can change. He too had probably written his Gospel by this time. Perhaps that is why Paul linked him here with Luke. He had also been with Paul when he wrote to the Colossians from his earlier Roman prison, and had been commended to that church. It says much for Paul that Mark had been determined to get back on good terms with him. Timothy probably had to pick him up en route to Rome.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Ti 4:11. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: This is a proof that St. Paul and St. Mark were reconciled again, though the behaviour of the latter had formerly occasioned their separation: Act 15:39. The great value which St. Paul retained for St. Mark, even till the last, is here expressed in clear and strong terms; for this was written not long before the apostle’s martyrdom, when almost all his companions had forsaken him; and yet he speaks most affectionately of St. Mark, as one who would not desert him, but be peculiarly serviceable to him in his present situation, and greatly promote the gospel.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ti 4:11 . ] There is no reason for doubting that this Luke was the apostle’s well-known assistant. He accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey from Troas, Act 16:10 , then on his third journey, Act 20:5 to Act 21:18 . He was with Paul both in his imprisonment at Caesarea and in the first imprisonment at Rome, Act 27 ; Col 4:14 ; Phm 1:24 .
(or common reading: ) ] Mark, too, is the young apostle with whom we are acquainted from the Book of Acts. According to Col 4:10 , Phm 1:13 , he was likewise with Paul in his first Roman imprisonment; , see Act 20:14 . It is not known where Mark was at this time. The reason why Paul wished to have him is given in the words: ] , 2Ti 2:21 . here is to be understood of the apostolic office [67] (according to Wiesinger: “of Mark’s personal services, but certainly in the apostle’s vocation”).
[67] What Otto (pp. 257 ff.) on this passage adduces regarding the relation of Mark to Paul are groundless suppositions. It is a purely arbitrary assumption that Mark, after abstaining for some time from work among the heathen, had again offered his services to Paul through Timothy. And it is equally an assumption to say, that from the words . . . it would appear that Mark could not have hitherto given Paul his services, because in that case Paul would not have “censured him regarding his usefulness for the ministry” (!).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Ver. 11. For he is profitable ] Once unprofitable, Act 15:38 See Trapp on “ Act 15:38 “ but now profitable, Phm
11.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ti 4:11 . : Nothing can be more natural than that “the beloved physician” and historian should feel that he of all men was in his place beside St. Paul when the end was to nearly approaching. The is relative to fellow-labourers in the gospel. St. Paul had many friends in Rome (2Ti 4:21 ).
: St. Paul was now completely reconciled to John Mark who had, before Col 4:10 was written, vindicated and justified the risk Barnabas had run in giving him a chance of recovering his character (see Act 13:13 ; Act 15:38 ). : assume (Vulg.). Take up on your way. Assumere is also the Latin in Act 20:14 ; Act 23:31 , but suscipere in Act 20:13 . It is implied that Mark was somewhere on the line of route between Ephesus and Rome; but we do not know the precise place.
: This phrase is illustrated from the papyri by Moulton and Milligan, Expositor , vii., 4:57.
: As Mark was the of St. Peter, rendering his Aramaic into Greek, so he may have helped St. Paul by a knowledge of Latin. , however, does not necessarily include preaching. It is characteristic of St. Paul that he should not regard “the ministry which he had received from the Lord Jesus” as “accomplished” so long as he had breath to “testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Act 20:24 ).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Luke. This faithful and devoted companion, sharer of Paul’s labours and afflictions for so many years, always modestly keeping himself in the back- ground, most have been a comfort indeed.
with. App-104.
Take = Take up, i.e. on the way. Compare Act 20:13, Act 20:14.
Mark. See Act 12:25; Act 12:13, Act 12:5, Act 12:19; Act 12:15, Act 12:37-39. Col 4:10. Phm. 2Ti 1:24.
profitable. See “meet”, I. 21.
for. App-104.
the ministry = ministering. App-190.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ti 4:11. , Luke) Luke has not brought down the history of the Acts of the Apostles to this period.-, alone) He is speaking of his companions; for he had many other friends present: 2Ti 4:21.-, profitable) more than formerly, Act 13:13; Act 15:38 : comp. Phm 1:11. Demas apostatizes: Mark recovers himself: but he (viz. Mark), who had gone away in the case of an easier undertaking, ought now to be present in a time of more serious difficulties.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Ti 4:11
Only Luke is with me.-“Luke, the beloved physician (Col 4:14), of all Pauls companions, seems to have been most closely associated with Paul. He was with him, we know, in his second missionary journey. Among Biblical scholars it is generally agreed that Luke was the author of the third gospel and Acts, both of which were certainly written by the same hand. (Act 1:1.) Accordingly we learn more of him in Acts in which he intimates his presence with Paul by the use of the pronouns we and us. From these passages it is certain that Luke joined Paul at Troas and accompanied him to Macedonia (Act 16:10) and was with him in Philippi when Lydia and her household were baptized (Act 16:11-17); joined him again at Troas (Act 20:5); and thence accompanied him on his last journey to Jerusalem (Act 20:13-14; Act 21:1-17), and accompanied him to Rome (Act 27:1 to Act 28:16), and remained with him till he was released as is shown by references made to him by Paul written during that time (Col 4:14; Phm 1:24). While these items seem relatively unimportant, they show that Lukes fidelity to Paul kept him at his side through the first imprisonment, and the verse before discloses him as with the apostle at the end of the second imprisonment.
Take Mark, and bring him with thee;-Mark was the son of the sister of Barnabas, over whom Barnabas and Paul disagreed and separated. (Act 15:36-41.) Paul then thought him unwilling to endure hardness and danger. [Since that time Mark had, by steady, earnest work, won back his place in Pauls heart. After some twelve years we find him during the first imprisonment with Paul at Rome. (Col 4:10; Phm 1:24.)]
for he is useful to me for ministering.-Paul seems now to appreciate him so highly that he is now summoned in his hour of supreme danger, and in circumstances from which other friends were ready to flee.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Only: 2Ti 1:15
Luke: Act 16:10, Col 4:14, Phm 1:24
Mark: Act 12:12, Act 12:25, Act 15:39, Col 4:10, 1Pe 5:13, Hos 14:4
for: Mat 19:30, Mat 20:16, Luk 13:30
Reciprocal: 1Ki 19:21 – ministered Jon 3:3 – arose Act 13:2 – they Act 13:5 – their Act 13:13 – John Act 15:37 – John Act 17:15 – receiving Eph 4:12 – the work Phm 1:11 – profitable
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
LUKE THE EVANGELIST
Only Luke is with me.
2Ti 4:11
There is a pathos in the words which those who are much alone, or who have suffered the loss of friends, will not fail to appreciate, and as we think of St. Luke thus comforting the prisoner at Rome, has he no lesson to teach us?
I. Surely he bids us each one remember the power of human sympathy.Do not we know of some lonely ones in this sad, sad world whom our presence would cheer, whom we might help along in their spiritual life, whom we could make happy in the short time that remains to them here? Let us seek out those lonely ones, and we, too, shall know the blessedness of being able to cheer with our sympathy and companionship those who are so situated that they have to say, only is with me.
II. St. Luke has laid us all under a debt of gratitude for his beautiful record of our Lords life.
III. His gifts as a doctor were consecrated to the Lords service, and do not we know in our own experience how great a work can be done by the modern doctor who recognises that he is a steward of the Great Physician of the soul? The medical man can be, if he will, a very real missionary of the Gospel, and he can always do much to make easy the visits of the parish clergyman to the sick-room. It is a blessed thing to know that doctors and clergy are to-day acting together to a far greater extent than they have ever done before, and such unity of action cannot but conduce to the eternal comfort and happiness of the patient.
Illustrations
(1) As an Evangelist St. Lukes superior education is proved by the philological excellence of his writings (viz. the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, which are but two volumes of one work). His preface, in pure Greek, implies previous careful study of documentary and other evidence. He speaks of other attempts to write a Life of Christ, which were unsatisfactory. Though it is the same Gospel, it is narrated with peculiar independence, containing additional matter, more accuracy in preserving the chronological order of events, and complying with the requirements of history. He tested tradition with documentary records (e.g. 2Ti 1:5; 2Ti 2:2; 2Ti 3:1); by comparing the oral testimony of living witnesses (2Ti 1:2-3); and only when he had perfect understanding of all things from the very first ventured to compile a Life of Christ as a perfect man, restoring human nature and offering Himself a sacrifice for all mankind. To him we are indebted for the history of the birth and childhood of Jesus and the Baptist, for those liturgical hymns, and the scene in the synagogue at Nazareth (4.), which were probably communicated by the Virgin Mary.
(2) The Bishop of London, speaking at a public meeting, pointed out that there was an extraordinary longing on the part of sick persons for visits. As an instance of this he related the case of the wife of a clergyman who, at the prospect of a severe operation, lost all hope and faith and courage, and the great doctors of London were absolutely paralysed, because they dared not operate while the patient was in this state of utter collapse. By Gods help he, in the course of half an hour, was able to bring about such a change, that two days afterwards the patient walked from her room to the operating-table without a tremor, to the utter astonishment of her physicians. What is it, they asked, that the Bishop of London has done to you? Something that it is beyond your power to do, was the reply. The secret of that was that he, by Christs immediate healing power, had been able to bring about a reinvigoration of her central being, and by that means had restored her faith and hope and courage; she became herself again, a Christian woman who could look death in the face. In many a case it would be found that, by invigorating faith, hope, and courage in the sick, a great effect was produced upon the bodily system of the patient.
ST.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
2Ti 4:11. Only Luke is with me means of the ones who had traveled with Paul, for verse 21 shows that several brethren were still associated with him in his trials and labors for the Lord. Mark is the disciple who deserted Paul, recorded in Act 13:13 Act 15:36-41. But he seems to have reclaimed himself in Paul’s confidence, for he calls for him that he might he of use in the ‘ministry or service.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Ti 4:11. Luke only is with me. Aristarchus, who is joined with Demas, Luke, and Mark in Col 4:10-14, Phm 1:24, remains unaccounted for. Mark, it would seem, had been left with Timothy at Ephesus, having probably travelled thither in company with St. Paul. It is pleasant to note in this last mention of him the fullest recantation of the adverse opinion recorded in Act 15:38. He is now profitable (better, useful) for the ministry.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 11
Luke had accompanied Paul to Rome, and remained there with him, as he is repeatedly alluded to in Epistles written by Paul from that city.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
It is of note that he has sent two away and requests two others. I suspect he wanted Mark, the cloke and books and that he may have sent Timothy onto other labors. If he had only needed man power he could have asked Mark to bring the items.
Paul is alone except for Luke – the doctor – one that was there most likely for physical ministry. I am sure Luke was capable of other things since we know he was a very good writer (Luke and Acts) but there seemed to be needs not being met, otherwise Paul would not have called others to come along side.
Mark is of interest. He was determined to be unprofitable in some manner by Paul in Acts 14:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
However, he is mentioned as being with Paul in Colossians and Philemon and here is profitable to the apostle.
It would be of interest to know what changed in Marks life to change Pauls mind. We might find some application in this. Dont count that no account out he or she may change in life to be of great account.
One of my class mates was run out of our high school by the principal. The principal told him the reform school was the only chance he had to make his life worthwhile. My friend left high school and went into the Marines.
During his enlistment he finished his High school education and upon his discharged applied and was accepted at the University of Nebraska. He went on to gain a doctorate and write some books not all that worthless in reality of time.
Be careful of those bad apples they may make a great pie if you get rid of the poor spots.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
Luke was Paul’s only companion, perhaps among his inner circle of co-laborers or day to day. Timothy was to pick up Mark (Act 15:36-40) and bring him with him because Paul believed Mark could be useful to him (cf. Phm 1:11). Mark had, of course, previously left Paul and Barnabas in Perga and had returned to Jerusalem for unexplained reasons (Act 13:13). Tychicus had gone to Ephesus, or was about to go, if the aorist apesteila ("I sent") is epistolary, perhaps to relieve Timothy there (Act 20:4; Eph 6:21-22; Col 4:7-9). Timothy should also bring Paul a certain cloak, perhaps for his comfort as colder weather set in (2Ti 4:21). Paul also asked him to bring certain unidentified books and especially "the parchments." The parchments may have been copies of Old Testament books and or inspired New Testament writings, and or Paul’s legal papers.
"Even as an old man facing certain death, the apostle has not lost his interest for study and mental pursuits. It presents a standing challenge to the minister to be an indefatigable student, especially of the Word of God." [Note: Hiebert, Second Timothy, p. 120.]
"There is an interesting historical parallel to Paul’s request. William Tyndale, who translated the first NT printed in English, was imprisoned in Vilvorde Castle near Brussels before his execution in 1536. In the year preceding his death he wrote to the governor, begging for warmer clothing, a woolen shirt, and above all his Hebrew Bible, grammar, and dictionary." [Note: Earle, "2 Timothy," p. 415.]