◄ 2 Timothy 4:11 ►
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.
Study Bible
Only Luke is with me.

In this phrase, Paul acknowledges the presence of Luke, the beloved physician and author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. Luke's companionship highlights his loyalty and dedication to Paul, especially during his imprisonment in Rome. This reflects the importance of steadfast friendship and support in ministry. Luke's presence also underscores the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity, as he remains with Paul when others have deserted him (2 Timothy 4:10). Historically, Luke's role as a physician may have been crucial in tending to Paul's physical needs, emphasizing the practical aspects of ministry support.

Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
Phm 1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

Get Mark and bring him with you,

This phrase refers to John Mark, who had previously parted ways with Paul during the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). However, Mark's relationship with Paul was later restored, as evidenced by this request. This reconciliation highlights themes of forgiveness and restoration within the Christian community. Mark's presence is significant, as he is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Mark, which provides a vivid account of Jesus' life and ministry. This request also indicates the importance of collaboration and teamwork in ministry efforts.

Col 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings…
Act 15:37-39 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.…
Act 13:13 After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions…

because he is useful to me in the ministry.

Paul's acknowledgment of Mark's usefulness signifies a change in their relationship and underscores the value of each individual's contributions to the work of the Gospel. This statement reflects the broader biblical principle that God can redeem and use past failures for His purposes. Mark's usefulness may relate to his skills, experience, or spiritual maturity, which have grown since his earlier departure. This phrase also connects to the theme of equipping the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12), emphasizing that every believer has a role to play in the body of Christ.

2Ti 2:21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit,…
Phm 1:11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful…
Col 4:11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy. He is imprisoned in Rome and nearing the end of his life, providing final instructions and personal notes to his protégé, Timothy.

2. Luke
A physician and the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. He is a loyal companion to Paul, staying with him during his imprisonment.

3. Mark
Also known as John Mark, he is the cousin of Barnabas and the author of the Gospel of Mark. Previously, he had a falling out with Paul but is now considered valuable for ministry.

4. Timothy
A young pastor and close associate of Paul, to whom this letter is addressed. Paul is instructing him to bring Mark to Rome.

5. Rome
The place where Paul is imprisoned and from where he writes this letter to Timothy.
Teaching Points
Restoration and Reconciliation
The account of Mark illustrates the power of restoration in relationships. Despite past failures, Mark is now seen as valuable to Paul, demonstrating that God can redeem and use anyone for His purposes.

The Importance of Companionship in Ministry
Paul’s mention of Luke and his request for Mark highlight the importance of companionship and support in ministry. Even the most seasoned leaders need the encouragement and help of others.

Valuing Each Person’s Contribution
Paul’s acknowledgment of Mark’s usefulness underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing each person’s unique contributions to the ministry.

Perseverance in Ministry
Despite being imprisoned and facing execution, Paul continues to focus on the work of the ministry, encouraging Timothy to bring Mark. This teaches the importance of perseverance and dedication to God’s calling.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the reconciliation between Paul and Mark encourage us to handle conflicts and disagreements within the church today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are supportive companions to those in ministry, as Luke was to Paul?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt undervalued or overlooked. How does Mark’s account inspire you to continue serving faithfully?

4. How can we cultivate a spirit of perseverance in our own ministry efforts, especially during challenging times?

5. What steps can we take to recognize and affirm the unique gifts and contributions of others in our church community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 15:36-41
This passage describes the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over Mark, leading to their separation. It highlights Mark's earlier unreliability and the subsequent reconciliation and restoration seen in 2 Timothy 4:11.

Colossians 4:10
Paul mentions Mark as a cousin of Barnabas and instructs the Colossians to welcome him if he comes to them, indicating Mark's restored relationship with Paul.

Philemon 1:24
Mark is listed among Paul's fellow workers, showing his active role in ministry alongside Paul.
Sermons
A Faithful FriendT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Best Men -- Lessons from Their LifeHomilist2 Timothy 4:9-11
CompanionshipU. R. Thomas.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Counteractives to WorldlinessJ. Leifchild, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Crescens is Gone to Galatia, Titus to DalmatiaT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Danger of the World2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. J. Crawford, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasR. T. Verrall, B. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasM. G. Pearse.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. M. Herbert, M. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. Guthrie, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Demas the DeserterT. L. Cuyler, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Friends in AdversityG. Whitefield.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Good Men Easily Reconciled to Good MenT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Isolation UndesirableA. J. Morris.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Luke, the Beloved PhysicianH. A. Nelson, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Man's Craving for SocietyA. J. Morris.2 Timothy 4:9-11
St. Luke an Example of Trite FriendshipR. S. Barrett.2 Timothy 4:9-11
St. Luke the EvangelistH. Melvill, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Apostasy of DemasH. Melvill, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Apostasy of DemasJ. N. Norton, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Beloved PhysicianW. B. Carpenter, M. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Border-Land Between Christ and the World2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Connection Between Love of the World and ApostasyG. Fisk, LL. B.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Damager of BackslidingR. Sibbes.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Falling Away of DemasCanon Puckle.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Foolish Love of the WorldJohn Flavel.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Friendship of St. Luke and St. PaulW. G. Abbott, M. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Quarrel About John MarkE. H. Higgins.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Relapsed ChristianJ. Leifchild, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Society of Good Men DesirableT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The World Pictured by FancyW. L. Watkinson.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Worldliness Fatal to ReligionS. Coley.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Apostle's Loneliness and Need of Assistance and ComfortT. Croskery 2 Timothy 4:9-12
PersonalR. Finlayson 2 Timothy 4:9-22
People
Alexander, Aquila, Claudia, Crescens, Demas, Erastus, Eubulus, Linus, Luke, Mark, Onesiphorus, Paul, Prisca, Priscilla, Pudens, Timothy, Titus, Trophimus, Tychicus
Places
Corinth, Dalmatia, Ephesus, Galatia, Miletus, Thessalonica, Troas
Topics
Alone, Bring, Friend, Helpful, Lukas, Luke, Mark, Markus, Ministering, Ministration, Ministry, Pick, Profitable, Service, Serviceable, Serving, Thyself, Useful
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Timothy 4:11

     5566   suffering, encouragements in
     8331   reliability

2 Timothy 4:9-11

     7742   missionaries, support

2 Timothy 4:9-13

     5976   visiting

2 Timothy 4:10-11

     5689   friendlessness

Library
Truth Hidden when not Sought After.
"They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."--2 Tim. iv. 4. From these words of the blessed Apostle, written shortly before he suffered martyrdom, we learn, that there is such a thing as religious truth, and therefore there is such a thing as religious error. We learn that religious truth is one--and therefore that all views of religion but one are wrong. And we learn, moreover, that so it was to be (for his words are a prophecy) that professed Christians, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

A Last Look-Out
We have mainly to do with the second description which he gives of his death. What does he say when the hour that this grim monster must be grappled with is at hand? I do not find him sad. Those who delight in gloomy poetry have often represented death in terrible language. "It is hard," says one-- To feel the hand of death arrest one's steps, Throw a chill blight on all one's budding hopes, And hurl one's soul untimely to the shades." And another exclaims-- "O God, it is a fearful thing To see the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Sermon for St. Peter's Day
Of brotherly rebuke and admonition, how far it is advisable and seemly or not, and especially how prelates and governors ought to demean themselves toward their subjects. 2 Tim. iv. 2.--"Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine." THIS is the lesson which St. Paul gives to his beloved disciple Timothy, whom he set to rule over men, and it equally behoves all pastors of souls and magistrates, to possess these two things,--long-suffering and doctrine. First, it is their office to …
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

Demas
BY REV. PRINCIPAL DAVID ROWLANDS, B.A. Many a man who figures in history, is only known in connection with some stupendous fault--some mistake, some folly, or some sin--that has given him an unenviable immortality. Mention his name, and the huge blot by which his memory is besmirched starts up before the mind in all its hideousness. Take Cain, for example. He occupies the foremost rank as regards fame; his name is one of the first that children learn to lisp; and yet what do we know about him? …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Epistle Liii. To John, Bishop.
To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople [1503] . Though consideration of the case moves me, yet charity also impels me to write, since I have written once and again to my most holy brother the lord John, but have received no letter from him. For some one else, a secular person, addressed me under his name; seeing that, if those were really his letters, I have not been vigilant, having believed of him something far different from what I have found. For I had written about the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 17.) Differently to be admonished are the meek and the passionate. For sometimes the meek, when they are in authority, suffer from the torpor of sloth, which is a kindred disposition, and as it were placed hard by. And for the most part from the laxity of too great gentleness they soften the force of strictness beyond need. But on the other hand the passionate, in that they are swept on into frenzy of mind by the impulse of anger, break up the calm of quietness, and so throw into …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

A Fulfilled Aspiration
'So that I might finish my course....'--ACTS xx. 24. 'I have finished my course....'--2 TIM. iv. 7. I do not suppose that Paul in prison, and within sight of martyrdom, remembered his words at Ephesus. But the fact that what was aspiration whilst he was in the very thick of his difficulties came to be calm retrospect at the close is to me very beautiful and significant. 'So that I may finish my course,' said he wistfully; whilst before him there lay dangers clearly discerned and others that had all …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Glory of Jesus and Mary.
Before entering upon the contemplation of the excellent glory which surrounds the blessed in heaven, we must endeavor to form a correct idea of God's grace, which enabled them to perform the great and noble actions we are now to consider. They were all, except Jesus and Mary, conceived in sin, and, therefore, subject to the same temptations that daily assail us. They never could have triumphed and reached the supernatural glory which now surrounds them, had they been left to their own natural strength, …
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

Exhortation to Workers and Ministers
In conclusion I feel that the Lord would be pleased for me to say a few words for the encouragement of young ministers and workers. In my work in the ministry I have come through many varied experiences that, I trust, will be helpful to you in the trials through which you will have to pass before you get settled in the Lord's work. The first difficulty met by most young ministers and workers is in regard to their call. Unless the call be clear and definite, they are likely to be in some doubt as …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

Author's Introduction,
In Which the Sources of This History Are Principally Treated A history of the "Origin of Christianity" ought to embrace all the obscure, and, if one might so speak, subterranean periods which extend from the first beginnings of this religion up to the moment when its existence became a public fact, notorious and evident to the eyes of all. Such a history would consist of four books. The first, which I now present to the public, treats of the particular fact which has served as the starting-point …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Perseverance
'Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.' I Pet 1:1. The fifth and last fruit of sanctification, is perseverance in grace. The heavenly inheritance is kept for the saints, and they are kept to the inheritance. I Pet 1:1. The apostle asserts a saint's stability and permanence in grace. The saint's perseverance is much opposed by Papists and Arminians; but it is not the less true because it is opposed. A Christian's main comfort depends upon this doctrine of perseverance. Take …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Conflict and Comfort.
"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."--COL. ii. 1, 2. Although he was in prison the Apostle was constantly at work for his Master, and not least of all at the work of prayer. If ever the words …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Second Missionary Journey
Scripture, Acts 15:36-18:22 +The Inception+--After the Jerusalem Council Paul returned to Antioch where he spent some time, "teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord with many others also." "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren i+The Companions+ (Acts 15:37-40).--Barnabas proposed to take John Mark, his nephew, with them on this second journey. But Paul strenuously objected, basing his objection on the ground that this young man had deserted them …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

How the Gospels came to be Written
[Illustration: (drop cap B) Early Christian Lamp] But how did the story of the Saviour's life on earth come to be written? We have seen that many years passed before any one thought of writing it down at all. The men and women who had really seen Him, who had listened to His voice, looked into His face, and who knew that He had conquered death and sin for evermore, could not sit down to write, for their hearts were all on fire to speak. But as the years passed, the number of those who had seen Christ …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Because There is not a Single Scripture in the Church Epistles Which, Rightly Interpreted, Teaches a Partial Rapture.
How could there be? Scripture cannot contradict itself. If the Pauline Epistles explicitly teach and expressly affirm that "all shall be changed in a moment," that "they that are Christ's at His coming shall be raised from the dead, that "we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ" and that when our lord returns to the earth to be glorified in His saints He shall be "admired in all them that believe" then these same Church Epistles can not teach that a part of the Church only shall be …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."--Proverbs iv. 14, 15. The chief cause of the wickedness which is every where seen in the world, and in which, alas! each of us has more or less his share, is our curiosity to have some fellowship with darkness, some experience of sin, to know what the pleasures of sin are like. I believe it is even thought unmanly by many persons (though they may not like to say …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

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