II Timothy 4:9-13 · Bible study
2 Timothy 4:9-13 Commentary: Paul's Urgent Call for Fellowship
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Paul, facing execution, beg Timothy to come quickly? This study unpacks the loneliness, Demas' desertion, and the request for cloak and parchments.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul asks Timothy to come quickly before winter, because he is lonely and needs physical and spiritual support as he faces execution.
- Key words: σπουδάζω (be diligent), ἐγκατέλιπεν (abandoned), ἀγαπήσας (having loved), φαιλόνην (cloak), βιβλία (scrolls), μεμβράνας (parchments).
- Main debate: Did Demas fully apostatize, or did he only temporarily fail through fear? Commentators disagree; some see a warning, others hope.
- Theological theme: Faithfulness to the end requires community, Scripture, and practical care, even for the greatest apostle.
- Best use: Preach on the cost of discipleship, the grace of restoration (Mark), and the need for Scripture until our last breath.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
9Make every effort to come to me quickly,
10because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.
12Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
WEB World English Bible 2000
9Be diligent to come to me soon,
10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
12But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
KJV King James Version 1769
9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
9Give diligence to come shortly unto me:
10for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering.
12But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.
13The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
9Be diligent to come unto me quickly,
10for Demas forsook me, having loved the present age, and went on to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia,
11Lukas only is with me; Markus having taken, bring with thyself, for he is profitable to me for ministration;
12and Tychicus I sent to Ephesus;
13the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus, coming, bring thou and the books--especially the parchments.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
9Use diligence to come to me quickly;
10for Demas has forsaken me, having loved the present age, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring [him] with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry.
12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13The cloak which I left behind [me] in Troas at Carpus's, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
9For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone to Thessalonica:
10Crescens into Galatia, Titus into Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee: and the books, especially the parchments.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Timothy 4:9
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this passage paints a vivid picture of Paul's final days. He is isolated in a Roman prison, facing imminent death, and deeply lonely. Clarke notes that Paul wants Timothy present at his death so Timothy can see how a Christian dies. Barnes and Gill emphasize Paul's human need for companionship and final counsel. Most agree that Demas' departure stems from a love for this present age (τὸν νῦν αἰῶνα), though they debate whether this was full apostasy or a temporary failure. Only Luke remains, and Paul asks for Mark, whom he once rejected, showing reconciliation. The request for the cloak and parchments reveals practical needs and ongoing commitment to Scripture and ministry. The urgency before winter (4:21) underscores Paul's sense of time running out.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Demas as full apostate: Clarke and others stress the aorist participle ἀγαπήσας as a decisive act of love for the world, implying a break from Christ.
- Demas as temporary coward: Barnes and Gill note that leaving Paul need not mean leaving Christ; Demas may have failed but could later repent.
- Cloak as garment vs. bag: Lexicon and most commentators favor a travelling cloak; Clarke argues for a bag based on Hesychius.
What is clear: Paul is isolated, near death, longs for Timothy's presence and practical help, and remains committed to Scripture and ministry until the end.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Demas' desertion: apostasy or temporary failure? | All agree Demas left Paul because he loved the present world more than suffering with Paul. | Barnes and Gill argue he may not have fully renounced Christ, only failed in courage; Clarke and others imply a deeper apostasy, perhaps returning to Judaism. |
| Meaning of the cloak (φαιλόνης) | The word refers to an outer garment, possibly a travelling cloak. | Some interpret it as a bag or portmanteau (Clarke), others as a Roman paenula (Cambridge Bible). The difference affects how we picture Paul's possessions. |
| Mark's restoration to Paul's favour | Paul now considers Mark useful (εὔχρηστος) for ministry, reversing his earlier rejection (Acts 15:38). | Some see this as complete reconciliation; others note Paul qualifies it for 'ministry' only, not necessarily full partnership. |
| The books and parchments | The scrolls (βιβλία) and parchments (μεμβράνας) were likely Scripture and Paul's own writings. | Some suggest the scrolls were copies of the Old Testament, the parchments more expensive vellum copies (Vincent). Others think the scrolls were Paul's personal notes and letters. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes from a Roman dungeon, probably the Mamertine prison, during Nero's persecution around AD 66-67. Unlike his first imprisonment, when he had a rented house and freedom to receive visitors (Acts 28:30-31), this second detention was harsh. Winter was approaching, and the damp cold made a cloak essential (4:21). Travel by sea typically stopped in November, so Paul urges Timothy to come before then.
Troas, where Paul left the cloak, was a port city in northwestern Asia Minor. Carpus, likely a host or friend, safeguarded the items. The scrolls and parchments (βιβλία and μεμβράνας) were probably copies of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, and possibly Paul's own writings or notes. They were indispensable for Paul's ongoing work of preaching and writing even in prison.
The coworkers' dispersal reveals the pressures on the early church. Crescens and Titus left with Paul's blessing for ministry elsewhere (Wesley). Tychicus was sent to Ephesus to support the church there, possibly replacing Timothy (Gill). Demas, once a fellow worker (Col 4:14; Phm 24), deserted Paul out of love for worldly security. Luke, the beloved physician, remained faithful, providing medical care and companionship. This network of relationships shows the early Christian mission: mobile, sacrificial, and dependent on trusted partners.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants that affect the meaning of these verses. A minor variant exists in verse 10: some manuscripts read 'Gaul' instead of 'Galatia' for Crescens' destination, but most early witnesses support 'Galatia' (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown). The spelling of 'cloak' varies between φελόνης and φαιλόνης, but both refer to the same garment.
Reception History
This passage has been read across church history as a window into Paul's humanity. Early church fathers like Chrysostom found in Demas a warning against love of the world. The request for the parchments was used by reformers to emphasize the authority of Scripture even for apostles. In times of persecution, Paul's loneliness has comforted many facing solitary imprisonment. The restoration of Mark has encouraged Christians to forgive and reinstate those who once failed. The cloak and books remind believers that practical needs and the Word go together, even at the end of life.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Urgency in the Face of Death: Paul's command to Timothy to come quickly (σπουδάζω, aorist imperative) reflects both human longing and pastoral responsibility. Paul wants to strengthen Timothy for future ministry before he dies.
- Loyalty and Defection: Demas loved the present age and left. Only Luke stayed. The contrast warns against divided hearts and highlights the cost of faithfulness.
- Practical Faithfulness to the End: The request for a cloak, books, and parchments shows that Paul never stopped needing the Word, even as he faced martyrdom. Faithfulness is concrete, not abstract.
Five-point outline
- The Urgent Request: Paul's plea for Timothy to come before winter (vv. 9, 21).
- The Desertion: Demas' love of this world (v. 10).
- The Faithful and the Restored: Luke remains; Paul asks for Mark, once rejected, now useful (v. 11).
- The Delegated: Tychicus sent to Ephesus to serve (v. 12).
- The Final Needs: Cloak for warmth, scrolls for study and worship (v. 13).
Illustration hooks
- An elderly pastor in hospice care asking for a Bible and a friend to pray with one last time.
- A lonely traveller stranded in winter, desperately needing a ride and a coat.
- A church leader who forgives and re-employs someone who once let him down (like Paul with Mark).
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is it okay to feel lonely and miss people when I am suffering? (Paul did.)
- How do I know if I am loving the world like Demas? What are warning signs?
- What should I prioritize when my time is short? Paul wanted Scripture and fellowship.
Leading a Discussion
This passage gives us a rare glimpse into Paul's heart as he nears death. He is not stoic or detached. He asks for help, forgives past failures, and still wants to study Scripture. What can we learn from his final priorities?
Discussion questions
- Paul uses the word σπουδάζω (be diligent). What does his urgency tell us about his relationship with Timothy and his view of time?
- How do commentators describe Demas' love for the present age? In what ways might love for this world subtly pull us away from Christ?
- Why does Paul call Mark “useful for ministry” (εὔχρηστος) after Mark once abandoned him? What does this say about forgiveness and second chances?
- What do the requests for a cloak, books, and parchments reveal about Paul's physical and spiritual needs? How can we prepare for our own final season?
- Paul was alone with Luke, yet not alone (cf. 4:17). How can we find God's presence when human companionship fails?
- How does the reality of winter travel affect the urgency in this passage? What practical steps can we take to respond promptly to God's calls?
- If you were writing your final letter, what would you ask for? What does Paul's list say about his values?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Timothy 1:4 | longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; |
| II Timothy 4:21 | Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. |
| Matthew 26:56 | But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. |
| Luke 9:61 | Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.” |
| Luke 9:62 | But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.” |
| Luke 14:26 | “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. |
| Luke 14:27 | Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple. |
| Luke 14:33 | So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke interprets Demas' love for "this present world" as a preference for Judaism over Christianity during persecution, not a pursuit of wealth or pleasure. He argues Demas had already counted that cost, so his abandonment was likely a return to the safer, non-persecuted Jewish system. Clarke also offers the charitable possibility that Crescens and Titus left on legitimate gospel missions.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes reads Demas not as a worldly man who loved money or pleasure, but as someone who simply wanted to stay alive and avoid the risk of martyrdom. Paul’s word “loved this present world” expresses grief, not harsh judgment, at a friend who chose safety over standing with him.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that Paul's "therefore" deliberately connects Scripture to the act of preaching. He argues against those who claim silent reading of the Bible is enough, insisting that God and Christ have also commanded the living voice of teachers to administer and explain the Word.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill draws a careful distinction about Demas: his love for the present world meant a desire to preserve his life, not indulgence in sin. Paul's urgent request for Timothy stems from approaching winter, nearness of death, and growing isolation, not merely personal affection.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that Paul's final requests for his cloak, books, and companions reveal a genuinely human side. These seemingly trivial details open a deep insight into the apostle's heart, showing
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent examines the Greek word for cloak and suggests it could be a protective case for carrying books rather than a garment. He notes ancient support for this reading but ultimately finds no compelling reason to set aside the traditional translation.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that amidst Paul's human abandonment by Demas and others, only Luke remains, yet God's presence is sufficient. He also highlights that Mark, once considered a deserter, has now become profitable for ministry again, showing restoration. The request for parchments underscores Paul's continued devotion to Scripture even in chains.