We have been doing a devotional study of 2nd Timothy 4 in which we answer the Who? What? Why? When? Where? and How? questions based on the context of the chapter. In our last visit we were answering the “What?” question.
After pointing out that it’s our duty to be prepared, preach the Word, teach the Word, do the work of an evangelist and keep the faith we now conclude our answer with the injunction to encourage fellowship among believers.
Paul was feeling the effect of loosing fellowship with an associate who loved this world and deserted him. Others left him to fulfill other assignments. Only Luke, his doctor and friend, was with him. But he wanted Timothy to come and be with him as soon as possible, and to bring Mark. That’s right, the one Paul didn’t have time for after he deserted the team on the first missionary journey, was now considered to be profitable to Paul.
In addition, in spite of his loneliness in prison he wanted those who had been close to him in the past to know he was thinking about them: “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphoras…Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.”
Yes, Paul was promoting fellowship among fellow believers. You can almost hear him saying, “We need each other. Don’t lose contact with each other. Greet each other.”
This reminds me of Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” That’s a good reminder for all of us.
