20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21b Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.
Paul writes like I speak.... starts here, interjects then goes back, so I'm putting the 'good guys' together. It's like a final inventory of relationships, and an update to Timothy of what's going on in the church at large. He remembers Priscilla and Aquilla and Onesiphorus - they left a mark on his heart.. a good one he could remember and draw strength from in hard times. But my favorite part... what I love most of all that he asks for Mark. Follow me for a minute... it's worth it.
In Acts 15 (v36 to the end), Paul and Barnabus were besties, setting out to re-visit all the places they had preached to gospel to see how the churches were doing. Barney wanted to bring John Mark, and there was a 'big bestie beef' over it. John Mark had bailed on them in Pamphylia when things got tough, and Paul didn't want to have to count on someone he couldn't count on, so they split up.
John Mark is the Mark mentioned here in 2 Timothy! The one who is now helpful/useful... the one he wants Timothy to bring to him so he can help in ministry. 💖 After just having told Timothy that Demas traded sanctification for destruction, it must have soothed his soul to see that Mark was back on track, serving Christ, and that he would be helpful. 𝅘𝅥𝅯Reunited and it feels so good𝅘𝅥𝅯. He wanted Timothy to know that now he could count on Mark too. Ministry isn't a job to Paul ... it's an investment of his heart and soul into others, and it can bring such a weight of disappointment, and yet also the greatest of joys. I can almost imagine a smile as he mentions Mark's name.
Note to self: never give up on others... ya never know what God will do in the future (just look in the mirror ;)
Thanks. Amen
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