Paul had asked Titus to meet him in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). He had planned to spend the winter there. At some point during that time, Paul was arrested by the Romans. This was not house arrest! There was evidently a court hearing that had not gone well at all (II Timothy 4:16). He was now on death row! He needed basic things such as an overcoat (II Timothy 4:13).
Timothy heard about Paul’s incarceration. It shook him to the core (II Timothy 1:7-8)! Paul wrote to tell Timothy not to quit (II Timothy 1:13-14). He told Timothy to be strong. Timothy had witnessed Paul going through much sacrifice and suffering for Christ’s sake (II Timothy 3:10). Paul encouraged him to follow his example. If Timothy endured the problems he most assuredly faced, he will be saved just like Paul! Paul knew that his days on earth would soon be over (II Timothy 4:6-8). He wanted to see Timothy again. It wasn’t so much that he wanted to see him for his own personal satisfaction, he more likely wanted to give Timothy more words of encouragement before he died! Imagine that! Someone on death row consoling instead of receiving consolation!
Titus came to visit Paul in jail. Paul sent him to Dalmatia, an area just east of Italy. Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus, probably taking this second letter to Timothy. Demas had forsaken Paul and Alexander the coppersmith had really harmed him. Only Luke, a faithful companion of Paul, was with him (II Timothy 4:11). We can only hope that Timothy received the letter in time and made it to Rome before they executed Paul. Being a Roman citizen had its advantages even when administering the death penalty. Instead of suffering the torture of a cross, Paul would be mercifully decapitated. Death came quickly. As soon as Paul’s life ended, he was, at that instant, present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8)! Where will you be when you leave your body?
Timothy heard about Paul’s incarceration. It shook him to the core (II Timothy 1:7-8)! Paul wrote to tell Timothy not to quit (II Timothy 1:13-14). He told Timothy to be strong. Timothy had witnessed Paul going through much sacrifice and suffering for Christ’s sake (II Timothy 3:10). Paul encouraged him to follow his example. If Timothy endured the problems he most assuredly faced, he will be saved just like Paul! Paul knew that his days on earth would soon be over (II Timothy 4:6-8). He wanted to see Timothy again. It wasn’t so much that he wanted to see him for his own personal satisfaction, he more likely wanted to give Timothy more words of encouragement before he died! Imagine that! Someone on death row consoling instead of receiving consolation!
Titus came to visit Paul in jail. Paul sent him to Dalmatia, an area just east of Italy. Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus, probably taking this second letter to Timothy. Demas had forsaken Paul and Alexander the coppersmith had really harmed him. Only Luke, a faithful companion of Paul, was with him (II Timothy 4:11). We can only hope that Timothy received the letter in time and made it to Rome before they executed Paul. Being a Roman citizen had its advantages even when administering the death penalty. Instead of suffering the torture of a cross, Paul would be mercifully decapitated. Death came quickly. As soon as Paul’s life ended, he was, at that instant, present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8)! Where will you be when you leave your body?