2 Timothy 4:16-22: Come Before Winter

With the cold days of winter fast approaching, the Apostle Paul begins to conclude his second letter to Timothy. When Paul writes Do your best to come before winter, he demonstrates an awareness that the shipping lanes were generally closed to traffic from November 10 to March 10. The potential for martyrdom seemed close at hand, so Paul exhibits a sense of urgency that Timothy come to his side. Chapter 4 discloses a sense of legal awareness on Paul’s part.  In verse 1, Paul wrote I charge you, which had a legal connection and can be understood to mean to “testify under oath.” In verse 16, the Apostle recounts his first defense. Clearly, a Roman legal verdict is on his mind.  Note Paul’s last words. The phrase the Lord be with your spirit is singular.  When he ends with grace be with you, the pronoun you is plural.  Clearly, his words are meant for all believers. They are meant for us today.