9Make every effort to come to me quickly. [4:10] For Demas abandoned me, having loved the present age, and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. [4:11] Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. [4:12] Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. [4:13] When you come, bring the cloak I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books — especially the parchments. [4:14] Alexander the coppersmith did much harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. [4:15] You also watch out for him, for he strongly opposed our words.
2TI 4:9-15
Personal Concerns
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman world, personal relationships and patronage were central to social and economic life. Paul’s request for Timothy to come quickly reflects the urgency of his situation, likely imprisonment, where he relied on trusted companions for support. Demas’s departure to Thessalonica, described as loving 'the present age' , would have been understood as prioritizing worldly security over loyalty to Paul’s mission, a stark contrast to the honor-bound expectations of friendship and patronage. The mention of specific individuals—Crescens, Titus, Luke, Mark, and Tychicus—highlights the network of early Christian workers who moved between cities, carrying messages and resources. Paul’s request for his cloak, books , and parchments underscores the practical needs of a prisoner and the value of written materials for teaching and encouragement. Alexander the coppersmith’s opposition would have been seen as a betrayal, invoking the honor-shame dynamics of public conflict. Paul’s warning to Timothy reflects the precarious nature of their mission in a hostile environment.
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How other translations render this
2TI 4:9
- KJV
- Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
- BSB
- Make every effort to come to me quickly,
- Koinōnos
- Make every effort to come to me quickly.
2TI 4:10
- KJV
- For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
- BSB
- because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
- Koinōnos
- For Demas abandoned me, having loved the present age, and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
2TI 4:11
- KJV
- Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
- BSB
- Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.
- Koinōnos
- Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
2TI 4:12
- KJV
- And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
- BSB
- Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.
- Koinōnos
- Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.
2TI 4:13
- KJV
- The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
- BSB
- When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
- Koinōnos
- When you come, bring the cloak I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books — especially the parchments.
2TI 4:14
- KJV
- Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
- BSB
- Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
- Koinōnos
- Alexander the coppersmith did much harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works.
2TI 4:15
- KJV
- Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
- BSB
- You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.
- Koinōnos
- You also watch out for him, for he strongly opposed our words.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2TI 4:10
- age:The word translated 'age' here refers to a period of time, often with a sense of its characteristic moral or spiritual quality, rather than simply a duration.
2TI 4:11
- [the] ministry.:The term used here for 'ministry' emphasizes practical service and attendance to needs, not necessarily a formal religious office.
2TI 4:13
- books:The word translated 'books' would have referred to scrolls made from papyrus, which were the common form of written documents in the ancient world.
- parchments.:The word translated 'parchments' refers to writing material made from animal skins, which was more durable and expensive than papyrus scrolls.