2 Timothy 4:20, "Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus."
Interesting points:
1. In this verse Paul continues passing his greetings to dear counterparts as he concludes his final New Testament letter, this time he names Erastus and Trophimus and provides Timothy with their whereabouts so that the work of the Gospel can continue unhindered.
2. Acts 19:22 informs us that Paul had sent Timothy and Erastus ahead of him into Macedonia, indicating they had worked together in ministry and therefore knew each other for quite some time. In Romans 16:23 Erastus is referred to as Corinth’s "director of public works", and this verse confirms that he "stayed" in Corinth, furthering the Gospel in that city. Besides being a close and strategically positioned friend for the spreading of the Gospel, it is unclear why Paul sought to update Timothy of Erastus’ location. Perhaps it was to assure him that he had another faithful brother in Christ that could be relied on.
3. In Acts 21:29 we find that Trophimus was an Ephesian Christian who served with Paul in ministry, accompanying him in taking gifts to impoverished believers in Jerusalem. The riot that occurred because some Jews thought Paul had taken him into the Temple area led to Paul’s eventual arrest and journey to Rome where God’s purpose would be for him to proclaim the Gospel.
. In this verse Trophimus is noted as being "sick" with some unknown illness and staying at Miletus -- a town near Ephesus where an early Christian community existed. Like Erastus, no other Scripture sheds light on whether Trophimus had a further role to play in advancing the Gospel – neither in ministering to the believers in Ephesus – his home city – nor elsewhere; perhaps he merely needed a reassuring hand or assistance. Regardless, it is implied that Timothy needed to act on this information.
Application.
Brothers, it is not entirely clear why Paul was informing Timothy of the locations of Erastus and Trophimus although Timothy would have understood why he needed to reach out to them.
One application we can take from is that it is helpful to encourage brothers in the faith to reinforce each other, whether they are close geographically, fulfilling similar missions, or bound by a common God-given purpose. Accountability, practical help, counsel, prayer or encouraging words can serve as powerful reminders that we are never abandoned, neither by God nor the people He uses for His glory.
May we actively seek to reinforce others in their faith!
Ещё видео!