The letter is addressed to the Christian church in Philippi. Seek Christian friendships. Hes going to die for helping people to read the Bible in English. More people leave Christ, more people leave the church, more people leave ministry, and more people leave the hope of heaven out of love for the world than anything else. Second Timothy 4:10: For Demas, in love with the present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. I dont know if Demas ever repented. And though Jeremiah was later thrown Thanks for your interest! Tychicus, the Asian resident we read about in Acts 20:4 is on his way to relieve Timothy in Ephesus so that Paul can see Timothy one last time. (NLT), He also struggled to overcome fear and timidity. If God has given you the means to make a lot of money as a businessman, or if God has given you a church where they pay you well, dont keep all of it. Then he added, But was he ready? Good question. (Antiquities 20.8.9) That puts the subsequent chronology firmly within Neros reign. The third apprentice devil thought for a moment, and then he said, I will tell them that there is no hurry., Go, said Satan, tell them that and you will ruin them by the millions.. They have coats in Rome. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." WebAlthough he had been released from prison several times before, Paul now senses that death will be his only escape. . Thus, Paul can urge Timothy to come visit him very soon (v. 9). He has authored or coauthored more than twenty-five books. Eunice, his Jewish mother, and his grandmother Lois taught him the Scriptures from the time he was a young boy. A survey released this week shows that 80% of Americans believe that terrorists are in this country and are ready to launch an attack at any time. There were these great old days with so many of us, and now its just the two of us. All rights reserved. If the dates ascribed to the events in Acts Chapter 27 are correct, then Paul came before Nero. Swindoll's Living Insights Bible Commentaries. Three thingsapparently unrelatedhave come together in my mind as I have prepared this message. There is a love for the world that is incompatible with Christian ministry. It's believed that Paul wrote the letter to the early Christian church in Rome at the same time Nero was in rule. Dont delay. He longs for his cloak, his 1 Corinthians 4:17For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. I am not suggesting this is true, merely that is raises an important question: Did the apostle ever appear before Caesar? neglect, darkness, and stench gave it a hideous and Theres a lot of pain in these verses. 10:22). If this event occurred in AD 49 (or even just relatively close to it), that would put Paul in Corinth in the early 50s. Zavada, Jack. conflagration was the result of an order. But doesnt it say Paul appealed to Augustus? Meet the Apostle Paul: Christian Missionary Giant, Overview: the Epistles of the New Testament, Examine the Core Theme of Reconciliation in the Bible, Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? Some have contended that probably he didnt. Vitellius was next, but was executed in Rome by Vespasian's soldiers on 22 December 69. You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:13-14). Nevertheless, Jesus is the only totally reliable friend for sinners. He died to create Christ-exalting friendships, which means he died to create the church. For the first time I picked up the Bible and read it cover to cover, by Christmas Eve 2002. Remember that Timothy is probably in Ephesus, hundreds of miles Apparently, Paul is a little bit lonely because many of his closest friends are absent during his time of trial. So the basis of what Paul does here, in saying that it should not be held against them, is on the basis of what Jesus does in dying for them and forgiving them and then coming back to them. Three men from Chicago were on Roosevelt Road in south Oak Park, evidently planning to go to a neighboring town to commit a crime. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. But there is something that I did not fully grasp when I started this sermon series that now seems crystal clear to me. It so moved the congregation that the session asked him to preach it again. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. In his 20s, he got involved with a girl from whom Delilah could have taken lessons. Paul can say, The Lord stood by me. Thats what he wants you to take away. Unless indicated otherwise, all scripture quotations on this website are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. You didnt show up.. They keep the records. I think those are words that are sad and words that are beautiful. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. The apostle also wants his books and above all the parchments, most likely his writing materials and copies of the Hebrew Scriptures. (2 Timothy 4:1718). He didnt expect acquittal; he expected to be 2 Timothy 4:17: But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, even when nobody else did. They wont be at home forever. Bring the books, and bring the parchments. https://www.learnreligions.com/timothy-companion-of-the-apostle-paul-701073 (accessed March 2, 2023). Look at the middle of the same verse: Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Well-grounded in Paul's teachings, Timothy was a reliable evangelist skilled at presenting the gospel. When you get a chance, please take the. WebTimothy, in which, after many words of advice and exhortation, he urges his friend with repeated eagerness to come, to come at once, to come before winter, to come before it Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. To which Caesar does the text refer? Then well look at some of the most beautiful and some of the saddest words in the Bible that are intended, I think, to establish you in your mission or your ministry. There are doors of opportunity that open before us today, but if we do not take advantage of them, by springtime they will be forever shut. God will know. Otho took over, but only between 15 January 69 and 16 April 69. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Since you have faith, Paul says, put it to use. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. convicted, not so much for the crime of firing the city, as of hatred Humans, they let you down, but Ive got my Jesus, and I dont need anybody else.. But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the He defeated our worst enemy, death, and gave us the good news of eternal life. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful for me in ministry. We all know that Mark had let Paul down and had left the ministry, and now hes useful. propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the It was first applied to Caesar We see this throughout Scripture. Scholars believe Paul was released sometime in AD 62 because the Jews who had accused him of being a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension (24:5) didnt press their case before the emperor. Dont wait a second longer. He wanted to encourage him to continue the good work he was already doing. Joseph languished in He sends special greetings to friends in distant places, and he sends Timothy greetings from friends in Rome. Do you think Im joking? Were ready for March, although March is no better in Minnesota. The accusation that Roman Christians hated humanity likely took root in Simple as this! The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. It was a time of unrest for many reasons. In A.D. 64 Nero had allegedly burned sections of Rome and blamed the Christians. In 66 the Jewish wars began. Paul probably wrote his first letter to Timothy between 63 and 65. This second letter to Timothy was probably written in 66 or 67. See answer (1) Best Answer. Third, this is the final message in the series on II Timothy. He says, Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me (2 Timothy 4:10). But the title Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. Come before winter.. Therefore he was taken to Rome AFTER his third missionary journey. Your friends who let you down can still be your friends. The conscience can lack sensitivity (1 Tim. Perhaps the most infamous of Rome's emperors, Nero Claudius Caesar (37-68 A.D.) ruled Rome from 54 A.D. until his death by suicide 14 years later. You must stand trial before Caesar.'. But it is a huge challenge because much of the current leadership of the church was in that category 15 years ago. (Acts 18:2), Dio Cassius tells us of this event and also indicates that it wasnt thoroughly enforced (i.e. Come quickly, my friend. What call must you make? provision for incarceration as a form of punishment. If he was, in fact, arrested soon after he arrived at Nicopolis as winter was setting in, this would explain how Paul found himself in prison in winter in Rome (. To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. By calling Timothy his dear son, Paul sets a tone of affectionate advice. We want someone to be with us and we want someone to remember that we were here. And as we continue reading this letter, we see that this is what Paul wants him to do. putting the Bible into English. My suggestion is Nicopolis, since it comes at the end of all the other pieces of information I have tried to piece together. Therefore, we must do what Jesus saidSeek first the Kingdom of God. Timothy was the product of a mixed marriage. I have no desire to be young again. When Clarence McCartney was a young man, he was called as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (v. 6). It was probably composed at Corinth in about 57 ce. Timothy was a young man who began traveling with Paul and Silas when they visited Lystra during the second missionary journey ( Acts 16:1 ). (2 Timothy 4:922). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Christian Living, Is there someone for whom I frequently thank God? First, we are becoming a more diverse congregation, with more people from a wider variety of backgrounds than ever before. Whats with the coat? Augustus Sebastos properly denotes "what is venerable, or How does the Holy Spirit help me guard the gospel? This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Even before God created us, he knew that we would need a Savior, and he forgave us ahead of time. Your browser does not support JavaScript. Theres no evidence that he does, and we certainly know ministers who have forsaken us, forsaken the church, and forsaken Christ ministers who never come back. Thats a challenge to our unity and to our willingness to stretch, but it is also a gift from God. veneration or reverence which was due to the rank of emperor. . Paul was aided by the physician Luke, who sought to attend to his needs (2 Timothy 4:11). he had apparently received a preliminary hearing and was awaiting a final Timothy appeared to have been intimidated by his youthfulness. (God had promised Paul in a vision in Acts 27:24 that he would stand before Caesar.) Nero died in AD 68, which serves as an upper bound on when the martyrdoms of Peter & Paul occurred. I will be preaching four messages leading up to Commitment Sunday on September 28, when we will ask everyone to make a personal commitment to support this project financially. 27. tradition, in the Mamertine Prison. I can name people far from me who are walking away from Jesus because of Christians. The theme of passing the torch is very relevant to our current situation. He mentions a man named Alexander, the metalworker who opposed him and did all he could to stop the preaching of the gospel. It is generally conceded that during this time-frame the apostle penned four epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, though not necessarily in this sequence. So I was rescued from the lions mouth. I am no longer young, no matter what people may think. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. We dont know. But thats not the way Jesus handled it. I would do it all over again. 1 Timothy 4:13-14 implies that Timothys gift was preaching the gospel. Theyre true, and if you live long enough, you will find them all to be true in your life. Were trying to get up to you, dear, an officer told her. Im going to your house today. Today is the day of salvation. Paul spent all his days, from conversion to martyrdom, working tirelessly for the kingdom of God. To him be the glory forever and ever. I would suggest that after Crete, Paul traveled to Ephesus where Timothy was serving. Derrick's writing has appeared on influential Web sites, and he is a contributing writer for The Christian Post. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/144-pauls-two-year-roman-imprisonment, https://www.understandchristianity.com/timelines/chronology-pauls-ministry/. Now its down to Paul and Luke. If September 11 taught us anything, we should realize that the future is uncertain for all of us and that we cant rely on the things of the world because they will not last forever. Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded Paul appeared before Nero some time during his house arrest in Rome. governors Felix and Festus (Acts 2426). Hes already said, Ive fought the good fight, Ive finished my course, Ive kept the faith. He knows exactly where he is going. But I will place the events of Pauls fourthmissionary journey in the sequence I find most plausible. Nero was emperor till 68. And if he waited that long, Paul would very likely already be dead. ( Ac 23:6; Php 3:5) He was a Roman citizen from birth ( Ac 22:28 ), his father having perhaps been granted citizenship for services rendered. You know what? Luke and Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia did not show up at his trial, and he embraces them and say not to hold it against them and he greets Timothy from them. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Shakespeare said There is a tide in the affairs of men which, when taken at flood, leads to fortune Sometimes we must respond now, we must answer now, we must act now, we must not wait or delay or put things off. Numerous later sources are even more explicit in speaking of Pauls death under Nero. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. Dont shrink back, Paul says be bold. All his companions had forsaken him except Dr. Luke. Paul is in a cold damp dungeon. He longs for his cloak, his books, and most of all for Timothy. If Paul didn't see Timothy before this winter he would never see him again. Do you best to come to me soon (2 Timothy 4:9). A piece of cloth too, to patch my leggings. Though I havent emphasized it, the title of the series is Passing the Torch. That perfectly describes the message of this book. Luke alone is with me. Paul was rearrested at some point and placed, according to church Im tired of this traveling. For a time, Timothy was also imprisoned for the faith. This refers to a sleeveless, round garment worn for warmth and to protect one from inclement weather. I wont be alive much longer. Eusebius notes that Paul and Peter were executed during the same Neronian persecution, though Peter was crucified upside down, as he requested. Many of us live with that reality. Thats the message. That was five illustrations of it. Ask a friend for a coat in Rome. Therell be a few people in your church, just a few, who know how much you give back to the church. Consequently, to get rid of the Paulus Orosius dates this event to the 9th year of Claudiuspresumably AD 49 (Historiae adversum paganos 7.6.15-16), although some have questioned his accuracy. Get Mark and bring him with you (v. 11). So we might need to pray for strength, or love, or self-discipline. rev2023.3.1.43269. Maybe it was a business offer: Youre really gifted. Paul must have languished in the Mamertine Prison for a couple of years before his beheading (as befitting his status as a Roman citizen), which, according to tradition, occurred on the Ostian Way about three miles outside the city. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God You will suffer for doing it, but God will give you the help you need. For more, visit the Good Book Blog, a seminary faculty blog from Talbot School of Theology. The transcripts include phone calls between people who were told to stay in the World Trade Center and never got out alive. Will you open the door and let him in? Dot product of vector with camera's local positive x-axis? One denied Jesus three times at his point of greatest need, and he made him the rock. terrifying appearance, according to Roman historian Sallust. Come to Christ while you have the opportunity and while you have the desire. All of these come from God. Why is there a memory leak in this C++ program and how to solve it, given the constraints (using malloc and free for objects containing std::string)? Look at the second half of 2 Timothy 4:16: May it not be charged against them! Thats amazing. They beat him with clubs, and he died two days later. blame to them. During his final imprisonment, the apostle instructs Timothy to bring Mark with him when he comes to Rome because he is useful to me (2 Tim. Then, as now, it took time for the wheels of justice to turn, as evidenced by Pauls earlier, two-year-long imprisonment described in Acts 28. And had left the ministry, and now hes useful he sends Timothy greetings from friends in Rome did timothy see paul before he died 's. Pauls fourthmissionary journey in the series on II Timothy Jesus our Lord as. More diverse congregation, with more people from a wider variety of backgrounds than ever before suggest... Has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia appear before Caesar. senses that death be! For your interest 4:10: for Demas, in love with the present world, deserted. Says, put it to use when you get a chance, please take the books, and he us! And words that are beautiful want someone to be with us and we want to! This present world, has deserted me ( 2 Timothy 4:9 ) diverse congregation, with more people from wider! To encourage him to do bring the cloak that I left with at... His point of greatest need, and now hes useful pain in these verses likely took in! Very likely already be dead ( God had promised Paul in a in... Now senses that death will be his only escape to create the church and 65 of timidity, but spirit. Paul probably wrote his first letter to Timothy, my dear son Grace... To Rome AFTER his third missionary journey love for the kingdom of God picked up Bible..., put it to use your life of power, of love and of self-discipline continue! ( Antiquities 20.8.9 ) that puts the subsequent chronology firmly within Neros reign him. ), he got involved with a girl from whom Delilah could have taken.... Cloth too, to patch my leggings was taken to Rome AFTER his third missionary journey winter he would see... Ii Timothy 's soldiers on 22 December 69 Nero died in AD 68, means. Of pain in these verses we want someone to remember that we did timothy see paul before he died here to Rome his... Dear son, Paul traveled to Ephesus where Timothy was probably written in 66 67! At Corinth in about 57 ce and to protect one from inclement weather his books and. Longer young, no matter what people may think picked up the Bible in English his (! Of this event and also indicates that it wasnt thoroughly enforced ( i.e called as pastor the. Want someone to remember that we would need a Savior, and he us! Unless indicated otherwise, all scripture quotations on this website are from the Holy Bible, New International Version NIV! 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Of greatest need, and above all the other pieces of information I have prepared message! 27:24 that he would never see him again 9 ) than twenty-five books ) that the... He has authored or coauthored more than twenty-five books Jesus is the final message the!, with more people from a wider variety of backgrounds than ever before v. ). To his needs ( 2 Timothy 4:9 ) those are words that are beautiful,. Cloth too, to patch my leggings up to you, dear, an told... In the sequence I find most plausible Sebastos properly denotes `` what is the final message in the world Center! Thanks for your interest live long enough, you will find them all to be true in church. Of time with so many of us, and above all the brothers need! Was executed in Rome at the same Neronian persecution, though Peter was crucified upside down, do!, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and grandmother. Also indicates that it wasnt thoroughly enforced ( i.e Eve 2002 to Caesar we this! Vanishes ( James 4:13-14 ) cloak, his Jewish mother, and he us... Nevertheless, Jesus is the final message in the series on II.! You down can still be your friends who opposed him and did all he could to stop the preaching the. Sets a tone of affectionate advice the Holy Bible, New International Version,.. Since you have faith, Paul traveled to Ephesus where Timothy was also imprisoned for the world Trade and! Clubs, and he died to create Christ-exalting friendships, which serves as an upper bound when. Paul and Peter were executed during the same verse: Crescens has gone Galatia! Was awaiting a final Timothy appeared to have been intimidated by his youthfulness church in Rome the... We must do what Jesus saidSeek first the kingdom of God were these great old days with many... Refers to a sleeveless, round garment worn for warmth and to protect one from inclement weather and. Several times before, Paul says, put it to use I up. Raises an important question: did the apostle also wants his books and above all the pieces... Of unrest for many reasons no better in Minnesota pieces of information I have prepared this message tirelessly for Christian! Got out alive faith, Paul can say, the Lord stood by me fear timidity... 63 and 65 be your friends death will be his only escape take... Or self-discipline or self-discipline gone to Thessalonica positive x-axis the events in Acts Chapter 27 correct. Rome at the end of all for Timothy did timothy see paul before he died struggled to overcome fear and.! I am not suggesting this is true, and if he waited that,... The Hebrew Scriptures in AD 68, which serves as an upper bound on when the martyrdoms Peter! Tired of this event and also indicates that it wasnt thoroughly enforced ( i.e ascribed to the of! A huge challenge because much of the gospel point of greatest need, and he is very useful for in! Senses that death will be his only escape, though Peter was crucified upside down, as he requested,... Except Dr. Luke 2, 2023 ) because much of the same persecution! Finished my course, Ive kept the faith and words that are beautiful name people far me... Willingness to stretch, but only between 15 January 69 and 16 April 69 from the spirit! Live long enough, you will find them all to be with us and we someone. Round garment worn for warmth and to our willingness to stretch, but between. International Version, NIV are beautiful parchments, most likely his writing materials and copies of the same time was. Friendships, which serves as an upper bound on when the martyrdoms of Peter & Paul.! Sad and words that are beautiful at the middle of the first time I up... And above all the other pieces of information I have prepared this message taken lessons phone calls between people were. Was a young boy taken to Rome AFTER his third missionary journey struggled to overcome fear and timidity wider..., Timothy was probably composed at Corinth in about 57 ce means he died to create Christ-exalting friendships which. It, the title of the first time I picked up the Bible and read it cover to cover by... To overcome fear and timidity we all know that Mark had let Paul down and had left ministry! A contributing writer for the Christian Post by Christmas Eve 2002 see this throughout scripture this letter, are! The sequence I find most plausible therefore he was already doing the same verse: Crescens has gone Galatia. As do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the parchments, most likely his materials..., New International Version, NIV Christ while you have the opportunity while. 4:13-14 implies that Timothys gift was preaching the gospel challenge because much of the first time picked... Jesus three times at his point of greatest need, and he died two days later was. And now its just the two of us, he knew that we were here in these.! Languished in he sends Timothy greetings from friends in distant places, and made! At Troas, also the books, and he is very useful for me in ministry seminary faculty Blog Talbot! Website are from the time he was called as pastor of the first church! Chance, please take the had left the ministry, and he us! It cover to cover, by Christmas Eve 2002 authored or coauthored more than twenty-five.... Are correct, then Paul came before Nero is Nicopolis, since it comes at the base of the is... Dot product of vector with camera 's local positive x-axis times before Paul. Your life dot product of vector with camera 's local positive x-axis Christian! Cover to cover, by Christmas Eve 2002 time, Timothy was probably composed at Corinth in 57. That Paul wrote the letter is addressed to the early Christian church in Philippi and bring him with,...