2 Timothy 4:11-13

Luke was Paul’s only companion, perhaps among his inner circle of co-laborers or day to day. Timothy was to pick up Mark (Acts 15:36-40) and bring him with him because Paul believed Mark could be useful to him (cf. Philemon 1:11). Mark had, of course, previously left Paul and Barnabas in Perga and had returned to Jerusalem for unexplained reasons (Acts 13:13). Tychicus had gone to Ephesus, or was about to go, if the aorist apesteila ("I sent") is epistolary, perhaps to relieve Timothy there (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-9). Timothy should also bring Paul a certain cloak, perhaps for his comfort as colder weather set in (2 Timothy 4:21). Paul also asked him to bring certain unidentified books and especially "the parchments." The parchments may have been copies of Old Testament books and or inspired New Testament writings, and or Paul’s legal papers.

"Even as an old man facing certain death, the apostle has not lost his interest for study and mental pursuits. It presents a standing challenge to the minister to be an indefatigable student, especially of the Word of God." [Note: Hiebert, Second Timothy, p. 120.]

"There is an interesting historical parallel to Paul’s request. William Tyndale, who translated the first NT printed in English, was imprisoned in Vilvorde Castle near Brussels before his execution in 1536. In the year preceding his death he wrote to the governor, begging for warmer clothing, a woolen shirt, and above all his Hebrew Bible, grammar, and dictionary." [Note: Earle, "2 Timothy," p. 415.]