Paul's Final Days
Chapter 30

Paul’s Final Words, "Come Before Winter"

“Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
 
You come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.
 
The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
 
Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. 22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you” 2 Timothy 4:9-22(NLT)

It turns out that in Paul’s last letter he concludes with people. People whom he loves, those who have let him down and those who have encouraged him. In these verses alone he mentions 19 people by name and alludes to still more.  

When all is said and done, when we face the end of our lives on earth, there are those two things, God and People. And Paul wants to see Timothy, his special friend and disciple, in person before he dies.  

This is a poignant and powerful reminder to each of us. After the all the brilliant world changing teachings that Paul delivered and wrote, perhaps all of it becomes real as it is fleshed out in the love of God and each other that Paul and Timothy experienced together. As the end was approaching, what was the one thing Paul wanted? To see Timothy face to face. “Come before winter” he wrote. By winter he meant more than an approaching season.

Prayer  

“Lord, thank you for the people you have put in my life. Help me today to be "all there" for them, especially for the ones you have placed closest to me. Thank you for the gift of their lives. Amen."