It Starts Small

⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon, ¹⁰ because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. ¹² I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.¹⁶ At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. ²¹ Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

Romans 4:9-22

Paul desired to see Timothy again before the end. It is evidence of the close relationship they had.

Demas

Demas stands out as a notorious figure in the Bible, a profound reminder of the fragility of commitment. He was once a devoted co-worker of Paul. Ultimately, he chose to abandon his calling. He walked away from the ministry that once ignited his spirit. The Greek term “egkataleipo” captures this heartbreaking decision. It means to abandon, desert, and leave one in dire straits. It leaves a person standing helpless and betrayed. Demas’s tragic fall was because he loved the world. This love was so seductive. It led him to forsake everything noble. What does it truly mean to love the world? It manifests in countless ways. These include the relentless pursuit of fleeting pleasures. They also include the prioritization of material wealth above spiritual truths.

Was he consumed by the fear of persecution? Did he choose the allure of pleasure over the noble call to preach? Was it the temptation of wealth that enticed him? Did he crave the fleeting glory of fame? We may never uncover the answers to these burning questions. Each question starkly illustrates a soul’s struggle. It is a struggle between the profound duty of purpose and the seductive allure of worldly desires.

The word chosen for “world” here is “aiona.” It is a powerful term. It diverges sharply from John’s use of “kosmos” in 1 John. “Aiona” evokes the grandeur of “eons of time.” It encapsulates the profound truth that Demas made a heart-wrenching choice. He embraced the fleeting present instead of pursuing the eternal.

We must fervently examine our hearts! If we choose the fleeting allure of the world, we reveal our true allegiance. This choice is made over the divine love of God. Every action, every word, and even our innermost thoughts will be laid bare before Him. Do we surrender to momentary pleasure and shallow gratification, or do we aspire to an eternal vision? When we proclaim our heartfelt devotion to God through praise songs, we may still gravitate towards worldly temptations. Our declarations then become nothing but empty echoes!

Luke

Luke stands as a powerful testament to loyalty, shining brightly in contrast to Demas. He remained steadfast by Paul’s side, enduring every trial and tribulation without hesitation. For Luke, the risks were just as perilous as they were for Demas, yet he chose to stay. How can we ignite that same fervor in our own lives? We must commit ourselves to be more like Luke. We should aim to be less like Demas.

Alexander

We are left in the dark about this Alexander, a figure who stood firmly against Paul and his teachings. He was not alone; many others rallied to create chaos in Paul’s mission. Yet, Timothy seems to be aware of this troubling situation. Rather than seeking revenge or retaliation against Alexander, Paul boldly places this weighty matter in God’s capable hands. He fully trusts that divine judgment will prevail. Timothy, too, is urged to refrain from any action against Alexander. Instead, Paul passionately charges Timothy to remain vigilant—a steadfast soldier, ever-ready for the unexpected. By cultivating this keen alertness, Timothy can stand prepared for any further actions Alexander might dare to take against him.

If people position themselves in opposition to us or to the gospel, we must resist the urge to confront them head-on. God sees all that transpires. It is not our duty to seek revenge (Romans 12:17-19); rather, we should fervently pray and entrust everything to Him. At the same time, let us embody the wisdom of serpents while remaining as innocent as doves. We cannot afford to be blind to the events unfolding around us; awareness is our strength!

God is with Us

In verses 16-17, his first defense likely refers to the initial hearings of his trial. This was a moment laden with hope for Paul. He yearned for certain individuals to rise as champions in his favor, to testify on his behalf with fervent conviction. Some of them might have had the power to shatter the falsehoods spun against him. Others could have passionately affirmed his integrity and character. Yet, when the pivotal day of judgment arrived, a painful silence enveloped him—no one stood beside him. This desolation likely stemmed from a trepidation to associate with Paul, fearing the backlash and persecution that could follow. In the face of such betrayal, Paul radiated disappointment, yet his heart brimmed with forgiveness. His poignant words resonate profoundly. They mirror the profound grace of Jesus on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Paul found profound solace in the unwavering presence of God beside him. In moments of weakness, it was God who infused him with strength. Though people turned their backs, God remained a steadfast anchor. At the trial, God had a divine mission for him—He wanted Paul to boldly testify before the Gentiles gathered there. You see, God’s heart beats not for our fleeting comfort but for a greater purpose that transcends time. We often get lost in the immediate. Like Demas, many opt for the here and now over the promise of eternity. However, God always gazes upon the everlasting horizon. He had a magnificent, eternal purpose to manifest through Paul’s legal battle, and that was the true calling he embraced.

Here we learn that it was so that “all Gentiles might hear.” Many Gentiles in court heard Paul share the gospel. They never would have heard it if he hadn’t been arrested and tried. Paul fulfilled the mission God had for him. Throughout the Bible we see that Paul boldly took advantage of opportunities he had to share with anyone and everyone. (Acts 25: He shares with Festus. Acts 24: He shares with Felix.) He shared even with powerful people who had the authority to imprison or kill him. It was yet another way he offered himself as a living sacrifice for God.

Everyday Life

Even when the world lets you down, and people disappoint you, let me assure you. God will never abandon you or forsake you! We mustn’t place our trust in mere mortals, for they may falter when we need them most. How often have they broken their promises? But not our God! He stands unwavering by our side, ready to empower and uplift us. When He sets a mission before you, know this: He will provide every resource you need to accomplish it. Our Father is not just the supreme authority. He is our closest ally and dearest friend. He is always there to support us and guide us through every challenge!

God may guide us through the storms of difficulties. We should not mistake these moments for abandonment (Psalms 23). Instead, they are a call to recognize the grander purpose He has woven into our lives. In these challenging times, we must fervently ask ourselves if we are truly embracing the divine mission He has designed for us. Are we igniting our spirits with unwavering resolve and determination?

We must fervently stand by the persecuted and afflicted, offering them our unwavering support in their darkest moments. Absolutely, God is with them, yet perhaps He desires to use YOU as an instrument to fortify that person’s faith. In this powerful passage, we witness Luke steadfastly remaining by Paul’s side. It’s evident that Luke didn’t just attend to Paul’s physical needs; he uplifted him spiritually with encouragement. We also see how God used Onesiphorus to be a beacon of hope for Paul in 2 Timothy 1:16. So, I ask you: are you the kind of devoted friend that those in need desperately require?

In verse 18, we vividly grasp that being rescued does not imply Paul would evade the trial. It does not promise that God would shield him from the grasp of death. Rather, it assures that God would lead him triumphantly through the trial. God will safely guide him to his ultimate place of rest in the glorious presence of God in heaven. God does not promise to save us from dangers, sickness, persecutions, etc. But he will be with us in the midst of those.

In verse 22, we hear the heartfelt plea, “the Lord be with your spirit.” Though Paul was miles apart from his beloved disciple Timothy, he poured out his trust to the Lord. Paul recognized that God’s love and care for Timothy surpassed even his own. Let us embrace this fervent spirit of prayer. We should reach out to those we are called to minister to. We walk alongside them, igniting in them the same deep assurance of divine affection!

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Cross-References

• 1 John 2:15-16
• James 4:4
• Colossians 4:12-14
• Philemon 24

Discussion Questions

• Why was Paul’s request to Timothy to come soon so urgent?
• What can we learn from verse 10 about Demas?
• What are signs or symptoms of loving the world?
• Considering at one point Paul didn’t want Mark on the missionary journey and now he specifically asked for him, what can we learn from Mark’s story?
• Why does Paul mention Alexander the copper smith to Timothy?
• What does he want Timothy to do about this enemy of the gospel?
• What “first defense” may Paul be referring to?
• Who was with him when no one else was?
• What can we learn from Paul about the fact that he was still witnessing at his trial?
• What did he believe God would rescue him from?
• What can we learn from Paul about relationships from this passage?

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