In Paul’s 2nd letter to the young Pastor Timothy, he continues his instructions so that Timothy will be careful to know the Scriptures, and to stand fast in his teaching and preaching of the truth by following the example that Paul has lived before him. He speaks of the power and authority of Scripture and exhorts Timothy to loose that power through his faithful preaching of the word. Paul knows that it is the intent of God that His word faithfully preached will bring about conviction leading to conversion from sin to life in Jesus.
It is clear that Paul knows that his own days are nearly over, his race nearly run; he now wants Timothy to take up the task of standing up for the Gospel by living it, even as he preaches it to those who don’t want to hear..
Then Paul says a remarkable thing in a very practical way. It seems as though a thought has pierced his mind with two needs: “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come–and the books, especially the parchments.” 2 Timothy 4:13 “Do your utmost to come before winter.”2 Timothy 4:21a (NKJV)
Paul knows that winter is fast approaching and he has no cloak, he also needs the books and parchments; that he would mention the books and parchments with the cloak tells us that Paul, though near the end of his life, sees them as being as necessary as the warmth of the cloak in the approaching winter. Perhaps Paul knew that a different kind of winter was also approaching, the winter of his imminent death, and that the books and parchments containing the scriptures would be of immense comfort to him in that spiritual winter. If the great apostle, needed the Scriptures in his last days, doesn’t it follow that you and I have a greater need for what is contained in our Bibles? Should we not be reading and studying His word as though our time is at hand? The Scripture is our only physical link to God, it contains everything we need to deal with every situation in life and tells us all we need to know about God.
Winter is fast approaching; have you the books and parchments, are you willing to rely on their Author and on His grace, even in the dead of winter?
