The Big Hurt

“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message” (2Tim 4:14-15).

Unicorns, Rainbows, and Skittles

“Too blessed to be stressed!” I’m sure you’ve heard this garbage before. A fellow follower of Jesus putting up a phony front, pretending that nothing could be wrong on this side of salvation. Sure there are awesome bennies that come as a result of a relationship with the Lord. But once Christ saves you, it does NOT guarantee a life filled with unicorns, rainbows, and an endless supply of Skittles.

Don’t buy the lie. We should expect a truckload of trouble on this side of Heaven. Jesus told His crew that this world will be an uphill struggle, “but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). I wonder why nobody ever mentions THAT as their life verse? It’s probably more useful that some of the other stuff we take out of context and slap on coffee mugs and bumper stickers.

On the Business End of Heartache

If anybody knew how tough a life of following Jesus could be, it was Paul. The dude was on the business end of all sorts of heartache. He proudly lists them in a letter to the Corinthian church (2Cor 11:23-28). Prison? Check. Beatings? Check. Near death experiences? Check. Floggings? Check. Canings? Check. Stoning? Check. Shipwrecks? Check.

Near the end of his very last letter, Paul not only tells Timothy about one particular guy who was a pain in the apostolic tail, but gives him a heads up to avoid him. “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message” (v14-15).

The Meddlesome Metalworker

His point? The struggle IS real. VERY real. Those who love and serve Jesus will indeed have opposition. While the pain is legit, he’s leaving it to the Lord to deal with his antagonist. The apostle tells Tim to keep his head on swivel and not get blindsided by Alexander. The meddlesome metalworker got in the way of the message of the Gospel.

Meet Alexander, the Big Hurt.

A Letter from Prison

Let’s zoom out just a bit to see why the apostle has even brought up the subject of this First Century craftsman in the first place. The year is 67 AD. The place is a prison in the capital city of Rome. The apostle is behind bars for telling people about Jesus (2Tim 1:12, 16; 2:9). The former Pharisee has poured out his life serving the Lord and is awaiting execution (2Tim 4:6-7).

After a series of letters to local churches and a few friends, Paul picks up his pen one final time. He writes to Timothy (2Tim 1:2), a young pastor he’s left to lead the church in Ephesus (1Tim 1:3). With the days of his life rapidly running out, the apostle writes with a pair of purposes. One, pass the baton of ministry to his spiritual son (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Two, ask to see him one last time (2Tim 4:9, 21).

Here in the final sentences of this epistle, Paul asks Tim to swing by and pick up Mark on his way to Rome (2Tim 4:12). He wants him to stop by Carpus’ crib in Troas and get his winter coat, his personal papers, and Bible (2Tim 4:14).

Examining the Clues

It’s at this point that the apostle tells him about someone who’s been big trouble in the past. “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm” (v14). Who is this pesky Alexander, anywho? When we dig a bit into Paul’s story, there are a few clues that might help us out.

All cards on the table. There’s a LOT of discussion and speculation about the identity of Alexander the coppersmith. Some people see strong connections to some other people with the same name. Others see that as a stretch. Is it the same guy? There’s not enough hard evidence to be sure. But there IS a pile of circumstantial clues that might help. Anybody up for a little forensic science, Bible style?

Big Trouble in E City

It’s possible that this is the same guy Luke wrote about in Acts. Around 53 AD, a man by that name tried to speak to the mob during the infamous Ephesian riots. “Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out in one voice, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’” (Acts 19:33-34).

Hmm. Interesting. Let’s keep going. Fast forward five years to 62 AD and we see a guy named Alexander in Ephesus again. Is this the same rascal Paul mentions in his first letter to Timothy? He tells the young preacher how he had to deal with a team of troublemakers in E City which included “Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 1:20).

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Jump ahead five more years and here’s Paul writing to Tim about some knucklehead with the same handle a third time. He’s done the apostle “great harm” (v14). Somehow, someway, he’s “strongly opposed our message” (v15). Apparently Alexander has caused the apostle one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

If this is really the same Ephesian Alexander, let’s just say the A Train has gone seriously off the rails. At one point, he seems to be coming to Paul’s defense. The next thing you know he does an about-face on the apostle.

When Jesus Is Bad for Business

While we can’t be sure these are all the same Alexander, Paul does tell us that the one in question here in his second note to Timothy is a “coppersmith” (v14). He uses a Greek word (Gr. χαλκευς/chalkeus) that describes a metalworker or a craftsman who fashions metal. It comes from a word that can mean bronze, brass, or copper.

This isn’t the first time the apostle mixed it up with metalworker. Back during those crazy days in Ephesus which Luke wrote about, Paul had a nasty run-in with “a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemus” (Acts 19:24). It seems that the lifesaving message of Jesus is bad for business if you’re business is making idols.

Is Alex a local Ephesian craftsman whose profits are down now that the Gospel’s in town? The Good News has the power to radically change our lives. That includes our jobs. If what you do for a living hurts others and draws them away from Jesus, you probably need to find a new line of work.

Great Harm on Display

While there’s a lot of speculation about Alexander, one thing Paul tells us for sure is that he “did me great harm” (v14). What exactly did he “did?” A closer look at behind the word the ESV translates “did” is quite revealing. Paul uses a Greek verb (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) which means to give proof, demonstrate, point out, display, or exhibit.

In his first letter to the Timothy, the apostle explains how “Jesus might display (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) His perfect patience” to those who trust in Him (1Tim 1:16). He tells his Ephesian friends how God is so rich in mercy and love that one day in the future “He might show (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).

Damaging Testimony

This is actually a technical and legal term you can use to describe presenting evidence that leads to an indictment or impeachment. Think of that surprise testimony in a courtroom drama that reveals whodunit. That’s how Paul uses it when telling the Corinthians to “give proof (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) before the churches of your love” to some of his team when they hit tow (2Cor 8:24).

Looking at it this way, it’s very possible Alexander provided damaging false testimony against the apostle at some point. What makes me think so? In verse 16, Paul describes a trial where no one came to testify on his behalf. The Big Hurt may well be a snitch or stool pigeon. Think of some slime ball who lies while turning state’s evidence against an enemy.

The Upper Range of the Scale

Paul tells Tim that this testimony was so damaging that it did him “great harm” (v14). “Great” is the Greek word πολυς/polus, which means many, great, large, plentiful, or severe. Whatever it’s describing, we’re talking about the upper range of the scale. Mark uses it when writing about the day Jesus heals a kid of a demonic spirit. “After crying out and convulsing him terribly (Gr. πολυς/polus)”, the demon eventually left the boy alone (Mk 9:26).

It’s my personal opinion that the ESV’s use of “harm” actually soft sells the sin against Paul. The term in the original language (Gr. κακος/kakos) actually describes something very bad, big trouble, evil, wickedness, or ruin.

A Truckload of Trouble

In his original letter to Tim, the apostle how “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (Gr. κακος/kakos)” (1Tim 6:10). He tells Titus to watch out for the people of Crete because they are well known as “liars, evil (Gr. κακος/kakos) beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12).

Whatever he did or said, Alexander has done oodles of evil against the apostle. Plenty of pain. A truckload of trouble. Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas earned the nickname the Big Hurt. Allow me to slap the same label on Paul’s arch enemy. Alexander the coppersmith is the Big Hurt.

The Big Payback

If I was in Paul’s sandals, I could see myself telling Tim to find Alexander and, shall we say, “make the problem go away.” Let’s be honest, we want justice when we’ve been wronged and we want it RIGHT NOW. On the other hand, we want mercy and grace when we’ve hurt somebody ourselves. Justice for them. Mercy for me. Admit it. You want the same thing.

But check out the apostle’s response. “The Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (v14). Paul’s not out for revenge. He doesn’t want to put a hurting on the Big Hurt. He leaves the Big Payback up to Jesus. He leaves to the One who knows all the facts completely (omniscient) but more than capable of dishing out the punishment (omnipotent).

As the Righteous Judge, the Lord can handle it. He’s MUCH more qualified for the job than anyone of us. He leaves this one in Jesus’ very capable hands. It makes sense when you realize what Paul wrote to the folks in Rome. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Rom 12:19).

Taking Really Big Problems to an Even Bigger God

Be sure of one thing. The apostle is NOT ignoring the damage the Big Hurt has caused. He’s not playing down the pain Alexander’s inflicted. He’s actually admitting his anger and taking it directly to God. Why? He’s big enough to handle it. The Lord knows EXACTLY what to do and when to do it.

Paul is simply following a tried and true formula God’s people have been using for centuries. Take our big steaming pile of pain and bitterness directly to the Lord and dump it at His throne. A couple of things happen when we do. One, our really big problems get awfully small compared to our even bigger God. Two, He’ll make sure it’s dealt with.

Quivering Loins

Nobody did it better than King David, the guy who earned the rep as the man who chased after the very heart of God (1Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). He wrote a whole slew of songs begging the Righteous Judge to come to his defense and make things right.

Take the 69th Psalm. Among his very specific prayer(?) requests, David specifically asks God to strike his enemies blind and “make their loins tremble continually” (Ps 69:23). I’m not exactly sure what would cause someone’s loins to quiver and not stop and I don’t want to find out!

Tim’s Been Warned

Since Paul believes the Big Hurt is still a clear and present danger, it’s no surprise Tim’s spiritual father tells him, “Beware of him yourself” (v15). It’s clear that the young pastor may well cross paths with the crafty craftsman at some point. Again, I think this points to Alexander living in Ephesus where Timothy leads the local church.

There’s a chance he could be in Troas where Tim will pick up Paul’s stuff (2Tim 4:13). Maybe he’s even in Rome after testifying against the apostle in court. One way or the other, Tim needs to watch his back. The Big Hurt is still a threat.

This may be blatantly obvious but warning others about real threats is critical. Give them a heads up of the dangers out there. Provide a scouting report of people, places, and things that are problems. On the other hand, don’t blow the situation out of proportion. Take another look at what you were sure was a mountain. There’s a chance it was just a molehill.

Getting in the Way of the Gospel

Paul reflects on how Alexander “strongly opposed our message” (v15) back in the day. In his first note to Timothy, he states how spiritual con artists had weaseled their way into the Ephesian church. They peddled a phony gospel which distracted people from following Jesus with crazy myths and complicated family trees (1Tim 1:4-5).

A little later in that letter, the apostle describes how he kicked these troublemakers to the curb and called them by name. “Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 4:20). If the Big Hurt is still a big problem, he clearly hasn’t learned his lesson.

A Hero from Heaven

What is the message Paul and his team took to the world? Quite simply, it’s the message of Jesus. The resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter is the One God promised to send to save us. We trashed God’s perfect creation through our sin and rebellion. But He loves us so much that He sends His one and only Son from Heaven to put out this raging dumpster fire we’ve made.

Just like an astronaut puts on a spacesuit before heading outside the ship, Jesus adds humanity to His divinity before making the trip from Heaven to Earth (Jn 1:14). As the God Man, He goes to work and does for us what we could never do ourselves.

He lives the life of perfect obedience to His Father’s commands that we’ve failed to live. He dies the brutal death for our sin that we should have died. He rises to a glorious new life that we certainly don’t deserve. Jesus graciously offers to trade His spotless perfection for our sin-soaked insurrection (2Cor 5:21).

Expect Trouble

That’s the message Alexander powerfully opposed. If someone had the gall to get in Paul’s way, why should we think things will be any different for you and me when we make a point of telling people about our Savior? This is the apostle’s way of not only warning Timothy but the rest of us of the opposition we can and should expect.

What can we take away from this? First of all, the struggle IS real. Don’t be surprised when the going gets hard when spreading the message of grace. Second, don’t blow off any real injuries. Third, remember that revenge isn’t your job. Take it to the only One qualified to handle it. Fourth, warn others of potential problems and threats.

On the bright side, we don’t have to deal with Alexander the coppersmith any longer. But we need to realize it probably won’t be long before we bump into our own personal Big Hurt. Don’t worry. Jesus can handle them.

©2017 
Jay Jennings

Left Behind in T Town

“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments” (2Tim 4:13).

Forget Something?

Ever leave something behind? If you know me, I have a long history of leaving a trail of personal possessions wherever I go. Wallet. Keys. iPhone. Bible. If I carry it, there’s a good chance that I’ve left it. Once they’re located, I either make a return trip or a phone call to get them back.

But there are times when you leave in a hurry. I mean a BIG hurry. We’re not talking about a spontaneous weekend trip. This is a “somebody just pulled the fire alarm and find the nearest exit” kind of emergency. When that happens, you’re going to leave stuff behind. Hopefully you can find somebody who will bring it to you later.

Doing Paul a Favor

That’s what happened to Paul when we read the end of his second letter to Timothy. As the apostle closes out this note to the young pastor, he asks him to do a few favors for him. First, get his tail to Rome (2Tim 4:9). Second, swing by and pick up Mark on the way (2Tim 4:11). 

He asks Tim to add one more thing on his run to Rome. “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus in Troas, also the books and above all the parchments” (v13). Hey man, I need your help. Stop by Carpus’ place and get my winter coat. Grab my personal papers. Whatever you do, do NOT forget the parchments!

This must be some VERY important stuff to Paul! Why? Remember just how desperate his situation is. He’s on Death Row and his execution date is rapidly approaching (2Tim 1:16; 2:9; 4:6-7). When you’re life is on the line, the little things just don’t matter. Whatever he’s asking Timothy to bring, it must be mission critical in his final days.

Get My Coat

The first thing on Paul’s list is “the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas” (v13). He uses a word in the original language (Gr. φαιλονης/phailones) which describes a heavier outer garment for protection during colder or stormy weather that’s usually made out of wool. It could be used as a blanket on a chilly night. 

It’s the same piece of clothing Jesus mentions in His famous mountainside message. Christ tells His audience that if somebody sues you for your shirt, “let him have your cloak (Gr. φαιλονης/phailones) as well” (Mt 5:40). Don’t retaliate. Don’t file a countersuit. Simply let them have your coat.

Caesar’s SuperMax

The cloak makes sense. The dude wants his winter coat. That certainly makes sense when you see a little later in his letter that he really wants Tim to do everything possible and get to Rome “before winter” (2Tim 4:21). He’s cold. He’s going to get colder. 

Inmate Paul is walking the Green Mile in Caesar’s SuperMax, better known as the Mamertine Prison. This is less like an ultra modern penitentiary and more like a dark, dank dungeon. It’s where condemned prisoners went before they died. Chances are, the apostle has been lowered through the stone floor into a small cold chamber. A warm wool cloak would come in very handy.

Getting Your Name in the Bible

In order to get Paul’s heavy jacket and other gear, Tim will need to make a stop along the way to Rome. The apostle tells him that he left his stuff “with Carpus at Troas” (v13). This is the one and only time we see Carpus mentioned in the entire Bible. We really know very little about the guy. But thanks to the urging of God’s Spirit as Paul writes to his spiritual son, it’s preserved for eternity. Now THAT’S pretty cool!

What do we know about him? His name “Carpus” (Gr. καρπος/karpos) means fruit, harvest, produce, results, or profits. In the First Century, your handle often said something about you. Maybe this was your parents’ hope for you. It’s possible they wanted their son to be fruitful and profitable.

Naming Rights

Maybe Carpus is a nickname. Remember how the radical Rabbi/Carpenter dropped a new label on a hotheaded commercial fisherman named Simon? “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas' (which means Peter)” (Jn 1:42).

Despite a personality that is, shall we say, inconsistent, Christ prophetically nicknames Simon “Rocky.” He sees what Pete will become. Steady. Faithful. Is this a picture of what Jesus writes to the church in Pergamum? He will give folks who overcome “a new name” carved in stone (Rev 2:17). Bottom line, since God made all of us in His image, He holds the naming rights!

It’s possible Paul’s responsible for slapping Carpus with a name by which he’ll be known for eternity. There’s a good chance he came to faith in Christ thanks to the apostle. One thing is for sure, Carp must have been a trusted friend of the apostle formerly known as Saul. Paul knew his gear was safe with him.

T is for Troas

So it makes sense that Carpus gave the apostle a place to stay when he was in Troas. T Town was a regular stop for Paul and his team when they was in that part of the world. The full name of the city is actually Alexandria Troas. It was a thriving seaport on the northwest coast of what we know today as Turkey. The city was perfectly located on the Aegean Sea for easy maritime access to ancient ports in modern day Greece and the island of Crete.

In one of his letters to the church in Corinth written in the Fall of 56 AD, the apostle tells them how he really wanted to take the Gospel to the people of Troas but had to leave in order to find his buddy Titus (2Cor 2:12-13). He’ll be back before you know it.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy sailed from Troas in order to take the message of Jesus to Europe for the very first time (Acts 16:8), but that wasn’t their original destination. They really wanted to tell the folks in Bithynia on the northern coast of Asia Minor all about the Good News. “But the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them” (Acts 16:7). 

A Vision in Troas

How did that go down? While they were in Troas, “a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there urging him saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us’” (Acts 16:9). So the boys hop on a ship sailing from Troas that will eventually take them to Philippi (Acts 16:11).

The Gospel Comes to T Town

On Paul’s third tour, T Town was the location of a meetup with the crew taking the famine relief offering back to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4-6). It was this visit in the Spring of 57 AD that God gave him the opportunity to unpack the message of Jesus for the people there. While the apostle was there, it becomes the location of one of his longest sermons and most impressive miracles (Acts 20:7-12). 

While Paul was preaching a VERY long message (we’re talking until midnight!), some young fella named Eutychus was sitting in a third story window. Note to self, open windows may give you a nice breeze but they’re NOT the safest place to take a seat.

Eutychus fell asleep and fell out the window. The three-story drop killed the guy! Paul ran downstairs and took him in his arms. Dr. Luke tells us that before morning, the young gun was fully alive once again. No word on how well Eutychus and Carpus know each other.

One Final Visit

Apparently the apostle made at least one other trip to Troas in 67 AD. It’s on this last visit that he left behind these very important personal items at Carpus’ house. How did that happen? Why would he not take his cloak, his books, and other important documents? 

I think the evidence points to the Romans arresting him there. The authorities took him into custody there and hauled him back to prison in the capital where he’s waiting for execution. Which brings us to Autumn of 67 AD. Paul on Death Row, writing one last letter to Timothy.

Rolls and Scrolls

In asking for a final face-to-face visit, the apostle wants Tim to travel through Troas. It’s on the way. Grab his cloak as well as “the books, and above all the parchments” (v13). There’s critical written material he needs before time runs out.

Just what exactly are these important documents? In asking for his “books,” Paul uses a Greek word (Gr. βιβλια/biblia) which decribes a small scroll, a roll of paper, a letter, or a written document. It’s where we get our word “Bible.” This is probably sheets of an early form of paper sewn together. It was made from stalks of the papyrus plant. 

Luke tells us about the time Jesus “unrolled the scroll (Gr. βιβλια/biblia)” of Isaiah and read a prophecy about Himself (Lk 4:17). John made sure to let us know that Jesus did a whole lot more than what he wrote “in this book (Gr. βιβλια/biblia)” (Jn 20:30). Ephesian magicians and wizards “brought their books (Gr. βιβλια/biblia)” of spells and incantations and tossed them in a bonfire once the message of Jesus turned the city upside down (Acts 19:19).

Paul’s Personal Papers

While we don’t know exactly, these “books” are probably Paul’s personal journals. He would have used a different word (Gr. χαρτης/chartes) if he was talking about blank paper. Here’s the deal. The apostle knows he’s about to die. Blank paper won’t do him much good. He wants to get these documents in Tim’s hands before his death.

Gimme Some Skin

The apostle really wants his winter coat and books but there’s something even more important he can’t wait to get his hands on. “Above all the parchments” (v13). This time Paul uses a term (Gr. μεμβρανα/membrana) which specifically refers to animal skins used as writing material. This the source of our word “membrane” and it’s the one and only time it appears in Scripture.

What are these critical “parchments”? Since they’re made from animal skins, these are much more expensive than the other documents he wants. That being the case, Paul is probably asking for his Old Testament scrolls. Remember, they had yet to assemble the full New Testament at the time. 

God’s Comfort in God’s Word

It appears the apostle wants his Hebrew Scriptures. The scrolls containing God’s revelation of Himself. He could once again read the Pentateuch, the first five books of the OT. He could dig into the Law and the Prophets. 

Imagine the comfort he could find in David’s songbook that we call Psalms. Then there’s the wisdom literature. You can easily picture Paul reading the Book of Job during his darkest days. In other words, he wants his Bible. 

THE Hero of THE Story

Two thousand years later, we have the 66 assembled documents of Scripture. Together, they paint a portrait of a loving and faithful God who won’t stop until He has restored the horribly broken relationship with the people He’s made in His image. 

We are not the point of the Bible. God’s Word may be FOR us, but it is not ABOUT us. Jesus is THE Hero of THE Story. Everything points to Him. He said so Himself (Lk 24:27; Jn 5:39, 46). The story is not about Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, or Isaiah. Each one is horribly flawed just like us. Like Paul, let’s read Scripture through the lens of Christ.

Choosing the Foolish

Outside of our Hero, the pages are filled with an endless parade of knuckleheads, goofballs, and losers. Just like you and me. And just like you and me, God is able to use them in amazing ways for His own purposes. As Paul likes to say, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise” (2Cor 1:27). Just to be clear, the apostle is talking about you and me when he’s writing about the “foolish.”

Starting in the very first book, God’s Word tells the story of a One who will come to the rescue of the rebels. He keeps giving us hints, clues, and sneak previews of a promised Messiah who will make things right. A Savior who will leave the the comforts of the heavenly palace and dive into the dumpster of our sin.

Sitting in a Roman cell, Paul knows that Jesus of Nazareth is the One God has promised. He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He lived the perfect life of obedience to God’s law we failed to live. He died the death we should have died for our sin on the cross. He rose to a new life we don’t deserve.

The Clock Ticks Down

As the clock ticks down on the apostle’s final days, he wants what is most important. He wants to get the old gang back together one last time (2Tim 4:9, 11, 21). He would love to get his heavy winter coat. He wants his personal papers. But most of all, Paul wants his Bible. He left them behind in T Town. 

©2017 
Jay Jennings

The Mail Man

“Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus” (2Tim 4:12).

Coming through in the Clutch

NBA great Karl Malone earned one of the greatest nicknames of all time. “The Mail Man.” What does playing basketball have to do with being a letter carrier? The hall of famer always delivered. Fans and teammates could count on Karl to come through in the clutch.

Long before Dr. Naismith cut the bottom out of the peach basket, there was another Mail Man. His name was Tychicus. He was one of the true go-to guys in the early church. The early followers of Jesus could count on him to come through in the clutch. The Big T always delivered.

Paul’s Final Words

Here in the final words of Paul, we see Tychicus’ reliability once again. The year is sometime around 66-67 AD. The apostle is walking the Green Mile as a condemned man in a Roman prison (2Tim 1:16; 2:9; 4:6-7). He writes one last letter to a young pastor named Timothy (2Tim 1:2).

The epistle has a pair of overriding purposes. First, Paul looks to handoff the ministry of the Gospel to his spiritual son (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Second, he wants to see Tim’s face one last time before his execution (2Tim 4:9, 21). 

The Apostle Gets Personal

As he lands the plane on this last letter, the apostle gets personal. He updates Tim on the rest of the team. Demas has deserted him (2Tim 4:10). He’s sent Crescens to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia on assignment (2Tim 4:10).

At this point, only his old buddy Luke is by his side (2Tim 4:11). He tells Tim to grab their old friend Mark and head to Rome so they can get the band back together one final time (2Tim 4:11).

An Underrated Dude

Which brings us to the Mail Man. “Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus” (v12). When we combine this verse with everything else the writers of the New Testament have to say about the Big T, we get a picture of a clutch performer.

I gotta tell you, I think Tychicus might one of the most underrated dudes in the entire Bible. No, he doesn’t get the ink of other folks like Titus, Barnabas, or Silas. People don’t name their sons Tychicus. He may not make headlines but he’s an awesome example of someone God uses as a faithful and courageous servant.

An Apostolic Recommendation

This guy is a biblical beast (in a good way!). Check it out. Dr. Luke lets us know that Mr. T is from Asia (modern day Turkey) and was buddies with another believer named Trophimus (Acts 20:4). That’s because Paul handpicked him to be part of the team responsible for delivering the relief money from various churches back to Jesus’ followers under persecution in Jerusalem.

Paul gives Tychicus his props in a couple of letters to local churches. He recommends him as “the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord” (Eph 6:21) to the folks in Ephesus. 

Meanwhile the apostle goes one step further in a note to the Colossians and adds “fellow servant” (Col 4:7) to his endorsement. I don’t know about you, but a reference from the Apostle Paul would look pretty sweet on any resume.

The Big T clearly proved himself to be somebody Paul could count on to deliver. As matter of fact, he was the courier for at least three of Paul’s letters to Ephesus, Colossae, and his buddy Philemon. There’s also a pretty good chance the apostle leaned on him to carry a note to Titus as well as this last letter to Timothy.

Coming out of the Bullpen

Tychicus did a lot more than transport documents. He may well have come out of the bullpen to relieve Titus in his work on the island of Crete. “When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there” (Titus 3:12).

Which brings us to what Paul writes here in chapter four of 2nd Timothy. “Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus” (v12). In the previous verse, the apostle tells Tim to get Mark and hit the road for Rome. Our last location for Pastor Tim was leading the big Ephesian church Paul planted a few years back (1Tim 1:3).

Sent with Authority

Paul makes it clear that he’s dispatched Tychicus as his special rep. He uses a word the ESV translates as “sent” (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello), which means to be sent with authority or special commission. It comes from the same root word as “apostle,” an official representative in the Greco-Roman world.

It’s the very same word we read when Jesus prays to His Heavenly Dad for His followers. “As You sent (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) Me into the world, so I have sent (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) them into the world” (John 17:18). 

The Father sent the Son on a rescue mission. The Son sends us to tell others the Gospel. Paul sends Tychicus to relieve Tim so he can see his mentor one last time.

Time after time, Tychicus faithfully delivers. As we’ve already seen, he hand-carried three of Paul’s prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, probably on the very same delivery. 

If that doesn’t impress you, imagine being the person the apostle trusts with what he knows will be the last letter of his life. The Big T is one amazing messenger. The Mail Man always delivers.

On Mission with the Message

Like Tychicus, we’re all on a mission. In many ways, it’s the very same assignment. While we don’t have the original handwritten letters of Paul, we have been entrusted to carry the life-changing message of Jesus to the world. The message of forgiveness and grace found only in Christ.

God’s message of grace MUST get through. People’s lives hang in the balance. But I’ve got good news for you about the Good News. We’re not traveling alone. Jesus Himself is at our side. And He’ll make sure you and I succeed if we accept the assignment.

The Mail Man delivered. Will we?

©2017 

Jay Jennings

Getting the Band Back Together

Getting the Band Back Together

“Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me” (2Tim 4:11).

On a Mission from God

Joliet Jake has just gotten out of the joint. His brother Elwood picks meets him outside the state pen. Now the Blues Brothers are on a mission from God to save the orphanage where they grew up. There’s only one way to make that happen. Get the band back together.

Rewind to the First Century. The scene is another prison. The Apostle Paul is behind bars but he’s not getting out. As a matter of fact, he’s on Death Row. In one final letter to his buddy Timothy, he desperately wants to gather the old gang one more time. 

“Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me” (v11). There is no question Paul is on a mission from God. He’s going to do everything possible to keep it going after he’s gone. What’s the best way to make that happen. Get the band back together.

One Last Letter from Death Row

The apostle writes from inside a prison in the capital city of Rome (2Tim 1:16; 2:9). The time is sometime around 66-67 AD. He knows his time is running out (2Tim 4:6-7). Paul writes to the young pastor in Ephesus with a pair of purposes. One, to pass the leadership of ministry (2Tim 2:1-4:4). The message of Jesus must not stop with his death. Two, to see Tim one last time before it’s too late. (2Tim 4:9, 21). 

One guy in the old gang has already bailed on Paul. “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me an gone to Thessalonica” (2Tim 4:10). Other members of the crew can’t be there because they’re on assignment. “Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia…Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus” (2Tim 4:10, 12). 

Paul’s Traveling Partner

Paul tells Tim that “Luke alone is with me” (v11). He’s probably there for a couple of reasons. First of all, he’s a longtime traveling partner of the apostle. As the author of the book we call Acts, he was right there as God used the former Pharisee to take the message of Jesus roaring around the Mediterranean Rim like a tsunami of grace. 

While Luke never drops his own name, all the early church leaders gave him credit for writing both the biography of Jesus that bears his name and its sequel. Whoever the author of Acts is, he subtly tips us off that he had a front row seat for a lot of the action. In several big chunks of Acts, the pronouns change from “they/them/theirs” to “we/us/ours” (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16).

Researching the Story of Jesus

Luke writes both of these important documents as research into who Jesus is and the spread of the Good News. He clearly spent a ton of time not just traveling with Paul, but interviewing key players and eyewitnesses of the all that Jesus and His reps had done. The recipient of both Luke and Acts is a man named Theophilis (Lk 1:3; Acts 1:1). 

Here’s a little bit of Bible trivia you may not realize. Did you know that Luke actually wrote the largest portion of the New Testament? Yup, that’s right. The volume of Luke and Acts actually fills up slightly more of the NT than all twelve of Paul’s letters combined. Together these two close friends are responsible for almost 60% of our NT!

The Good Doctor

The other reason Luke may well be with Paul is that he’s the apostle’s primary care doctor. In a letter to the Colossian church, he refers to him as “Luke, the beloved physician” (Col 4:14). In doing so, he uses the Greek word ιατρος/iatros, which describes someone who heals or makes whole. 

Why would Paul need a doctor with him on the road all these years? Apparently all the travel took its toll on the apostle. He reminds the Galatians how he only stopped to share the message of Jesus with them because he got sick (Gal 4:13-14). There’s a LOT of speculation what he came down with. The truth is we don’t know. What we DO know is that the good doctor is by his side during a good bit of the NT.

A Health Care Professional

Just who is Dr. Luke? Early church leaders Eusebius and Jerome said he was probably a native of Antioch in Syria. John MacArthur points out that this probably explains why so much of Acts focuses on what God was doing in and through the church in that city (Acts 11:19-27; 13:1-3; 14:26; 15:22-35; 18:22-23).

As a health care professional, Luke offers specific medical observations when he writes about Jesus’ various miracles and ministry (Lk 4:38-40; 5:15-25; 6:17-19; 7:11-15; 8:43-56; 9:2-11; 13:11-13; 14:2-4; 17:12-14; 22:50-51). 

Some folks speculate that Luke was a slave. Slavery in the Roman Empire was very different from that in the American South. Apparently it was not unusual for people with what we would call white collar jobs to serve as slaves in order to work off a deep debt.

Luke the Gentile

Paul goes out of his way to point out that Luke is a Gentile (Col 4:11-14). That’s a big deal. I mean, a REALLY big deal. As a non-Jew, the good doctor is perfect example of how Jesus had thrown the doors of God’s Kingdom wide open to people everywhere. 

During the early days of the church, there was a huge controversy. Should Gentiles convert to Judaism in order to follow Jesus? On the surface, it seems to make some sense. Remember, Christ is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. 

A Meeting at the Home Office

But in a key meeting back at the home office in Jerusalem, early church leaders solved this problem once and for all. Luke writes in Acts 15 about the time key dudes like Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and Jesus’ little brother James put their heads together. The decision? If God is personally converting non-Jews, that’s good enough for us!

Gentiles for Jesus

Dr. Luke is a personification of Jesus’ mission to every people group on the planet. And hang onto your hat for this…that makes Luke the only non-Jew to write any book in the Bible! 

Why does this matter to you and me? Well, there’s a good chance you’re a Gentile like Luke and me. I don’t know about you, but I plan on personally thanking the Lord for sending Paul on several world tours to invite non-Jews to step into the deep end of grace. Now THAT’S what I call a mission from God!

Get Mark!

While Luke stands by Paul in prison, there’s still one member of their merry band that’s missing. The apostle tells Tim, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me” (v11). Does the name Mark ring a bell? It should. This is the same Mark who wrote the second biography of Jesus. Yes, the gospel in between Matthew and Luke. THAT Mark.

Now we don’t know where Mark was when the apostle writes to Timothy. We’re pretty sure Tim is still in Ephesus as the handpicked lead pastor of the church Paul planted there (1Tim 1:3). Where’s Mark? We really don’t know. Wherever he might be, it must be on somewhere between Ephesus and Rome.

We get that from the original language Paul uses when he says “Get Mark” (v11). We see the Greek verb αναλαμβανω/analambano, which literally means to pick up. It’s almost like the apostle tells Tim to swing by Mark’s place and give him a lift to Rome. Just pull up and honk. He’s expecting you.

It’s Complicated

How do we describe Paul and Mark’s relationship? Well, it’s kinda like what they say on Facebook. It’s complicated. But we’ll get to that in a minute. 

Let’s back up to a rather obscure (if not just a little embarrassing) verse in Mark’s bio of Jesus. The scene is Gethsemane. Judas Iscariot has just made the ultimate heel turn and leads a not-so-small army to arrest Jesus.

A Streaker in Gethsemane 

Mark then includes something you won’t find in any other gospel. “And a young man followed Him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked” (Mk 14:51). Maybe, just maybe this First Century streaker is Mark himself.

Barnabas’ Cousin

Coincidentally, the first time a biblical author mentions Mark by name is, you guessed it, his old buddy Luke. When an angel busts Peter out of a Jerusalem jail, he hightails it to the home where local believers gather. It just happens to belong to “the mother of John whose other name was Mark” (Acts 12:12).

Paul fills us in on a little more of Mark’s family tree in a letter to the Colossian church. Mark and Paul’s old buddy Barnabas are cousins (Col 4:10). So when the apostle formerly known as Saul and Barney hit the road for their very first Gospel tour, they brought “John, whose other name was Mark” (Acts 12:25).

Punking out on Paul 

But something went sour not long after they left Cyprus and landed in Pamphylia which is on the southern coast of what we know today as Turkey. That’s when John Mark bailed on Barnabas and Paul (Acts 13:13). Why? Was he homesick? We’re not sure. Whatever the case, his departure didn’t sabotage the success of that original expedition.

A little while later, Barnabas wanted to get the band back together and hit the road one more time (Acts 15:37). But Paul wasn’t about to deal with John Mark again (Acts 15:38). 

It caused a rift in Paul and Barnabas’ relationship. “And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other” (Acts 15:39). So cousins Barney and Mark went one way and the apostle took Silas headed in the other direction (Acts 15:40-41).

Restoration Happens

Just when you think Mark’s name would disappear from the pages of Scripture, something funny happens. Restoration happens. It turns out that God actually uses the formerly naked fugitive teenager. He can do great things through the guy who went AWOL on the apostle.

Not buying it? Check out what Paul says about Mark. “He is very useful to me for ministry” (v11). In doing so, the apostle uses the Greek word ευχρηστος/euchristos, which describes something or someone that’s very profitable, beneficial, valuable, easy to use, or specifically positive.

From Useless to Useful

Earlier in this letter, Paul compares someone preparing themselves to be used by God with doing the dishes. When you do, you are “set apart as holy, useful (Gr. ευχρηστος/euchristos) to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2Tim 2:21).

The man from Tarsus writes to his buddy Philemon about how one of Phil’s former servants named Onesimus has run away and God has turned his life around. “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful (Gr. ευχρηστος/euchristos) to you and me” (Phm 11).

God loves taking the useless and making them useful. As a matter of fact, He loves choosing “what is foolish in the world to shame the wise” (1Cor 1:27). Onesimus. John Mark. You. Me. Who says Almighty God doesn’t have a sense of humor? 

Just how useful is Mark to Paul’s ministry? When the former Pharisee finds himself behind bars a few years back, he hints that his young friend could be headed to Colossae soon (Col 4:10). Who saw this coming?!?

Connecting the Dots

And that’s not all! Did you realize that John Mark is one of the key people connecting the dots between the great apostles Peter and Paul? The apostle Jesus calls Rocky refers to “my son Mark” (1Pet 5:13). I don’t have to remind you that Pete’s no stranger to failure, repentance, and reinstatement. John MacArthur wonders if God may have used Peter to play a key role in Mark’s restoration?

The Lord may well have used Peter and Mark’s relationship in another very cool way. Most early church leaders believe the Gospel of Mark is actually Peter’s eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. Less than 100 years after Mark wrote his bio, Justin Martyr gave it his stamp of approval and called it “the memoirs of Peter.”

Too Far Gone?

Maybe you think you’ve driven your life so far into the ditch that God could never drag you out, much less use you. Do you believe you’ve burned every relational bridge and there’s no going back? Let’s just say those are lies from the pit of Hell and John Mark is living proof of that. 

Now let’s turn that around. Has somebody bailed on you and led you to write them off? Has a trusted friend left you in the lurch at the worst possible time? Paul knows the feeling. But he’s also allowed the Lord to make he and Mark whole again. Reconciling relationships is kind of Jesus’ specialty. 

A Ragtag Team

Paul, Timothy, Luke, and Mark have been through a lot together. God has brought together a rather ragtag team to spread the grace of the Gospel. Paul, the former killer of Christ followers. Tim, the young preacher from Lystra. Luke, the Gentile doctor. Mark, the restored deserter. They’ve been on a mission from God.

Before it’s too late, Paul wants to get the band back together.

©2017 

Jay Jennings