Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
λουκας εστιν μονος μετ εμου μαρκον αναλαβων αγε μετα σεαυτου εστιν γαρ μοι ευχρηστος εις διακονιαν
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He requests this not for his own comfort, but for the service of the Gospel, because even in bonds he did not cease to preach. He summons Timothy to himself not for his own needs, but for the preaching of the Gospel. In this way no disturbance would arise among the faithful on account of his death. His many disciples, being present, would calm disturbances and comfort those grieving over his death. Among those who had believed in Rome there were probably venerable men.
He requests him not for his own comfort, but for the service of the Gospel. For even in bonds he did not cease to preach. Therefore he summoned Timothy not for himself, but for the preaching of the Gospel, so that no disturbance might arise among the faithful on account of his death. When many of his disciples were present, they would restrain the disturbance and console those who would not easily bear his death. For among those who had believed in Rome there were probably venerable men.
Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me, not for my own service, but for the service of the Spirit.
"Luke alone is with me," remaining with me even when I am bound. "Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service." This is not for bodily assistance, but for the sake of the service of the Gospel. I think he summoned Mark so that the many disciples present at his death might console and restrain from disturbance those newly converted to the faith, who were sorrowing and grieving over his death. Without doubt, for this reason he also summons Timothy himself.
"For Mark is useful to me for service." The service meant is service to the Gospel. The Apostle probably wants to give Mark his final instructions as well.
The Apostle Paul, informing Timothy of his own approaching death, asks him to come to him quickly. He says how all except Luke have abandoned him. He gives Timothy certain instructions for the journey, tells of the help from God that was shown to him after his first interrogation in court, and commands him to greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. He also sends greetings from certain Roman brethren.
The Apostle’s instructions are authoritative. Concerning Tychicus, he says that he has sent him with this epistle to Ephesus, as if in Timothy’s place. He commands Timothy to bring Mark with him, relying on his filial obedience. Saint John Chrysostom observes, “The Apostle asks for Mark not for his own comfort, but for the ministry of the Gospel. He does this so that no disturbance should arise among the faithful because of his death. His many disciples, being present, would quiet the disturbance and comfort those grieving over his end. For among those who had believed in Rome there were probably honorable men.” The reference to the felonion, an insignificant outer garment used as protection from dampness and cold, testifies to the need in which Paul found himself.
He had left this garment while traveling through Troas to Macedonia (1 Tim 1:3). The Apostle himself had intended to return there (1 Tim 3:14), but he was taken in bonds to Rome. There is a tradition about Carpus, found in Hippolytus, that he preached in Crete and was buried in Beroea of Thrace. The parchment books were books made of parchment. “In ancient times the divine Scriptures were on scrolls of prepared skins,” says blessed Theodoret. “Why did he need books when he was preparing to depart to God?” asks Saint John Chrysostom. He answers, “They were very necessary, so that he might hand them over to the faithful, that they might have them in place of his teaching.” The Right Reverend Theophan supposes that these were the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, already in use, and the epistles of Paul himself and of others. The thought that Paul’s epistles were there may be hinted at in Saint John Chrysostom’s words, “that the faithful might have them, the books, in place of his teaching.” The presence of Luke the Evangelist with him and the summoning of Mark the Evangelist also indicate something else. Before the death of the Apostle Paul, the question of the authenticity and uncorrupted preservation of the New Testament books could have been examined thoroughly by entrusting them to the whole great community of believers. Something similar occurred before the death of John the Theologian. He completed the work of the other Evangelists with his Gospel, written at the request of Christians.
In the following reports about himself and his work, the Apostle appears to us as one who has in no way lost courage, even in view of his approaching death. For example, he remembers the cloak left in Troas and some books that he needed. Speaking of his first appearance at trial or interrogation, he notes that no acquaintances or friends were seen around him. According to Roman custom, such people supported the accused with their voices. But the Lord helped him instead. He had promised to give His apostles the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they might stand firm at trial (Mt 10:19-20). Thus the preaching of the Gospel was fulfilled. Proclaimed in the world city, before representatives of world authority, it reached, so to speak, its culminating point.
From there it would illumine all the Gentile lands. At the same time, the Apostle expresses hope that the Lord, Who delivered him from terrible danger at the first interrogation, will not allow him to commit any evil deed at later interrogations, such as betraying the faith. Through a worthy acceptance of death, He will safely bring him into His heavenly Kingdom.
Saint Mark was with the Apostle in Rome during the first imprisonment. During the visitation of the churches after it, Paul probably left him somewhere, perhaps in some Macedonian or Achaian church, since these lay on the road from Ephesus to Rome. Or perhaps he was still in Colossae. In the Epistle to the Colossians, Saint Paul had commanded them to receive him when he came. He could have remained there until this time. “For he is useful to me for ministry.” What ministry? “He asks for him not for his own comfort, but for the ministry of the Gospel. Even in bonds he did not cease to preach. He calls Timothy to himself not for his own needs, but for the Gospel. He does this so that no disturbance should arise among the faithful because of his death. Many of his disciples, being present, would quiet the disturbance and comfort those grieving over his end. For among those who had believed in Rome there were probably honorable men” (Saint Chrysostom).
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 16 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS