So purposely I am reading to the end of this chapter.
It is all of the people that surround Paul’s life.
“Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.” (2 Timothy 4 v 9-22)
You will lose some people
Demas couldn’t cope any longer and wanted out so he left. Crescens and Titus left for their own reasons. Paul didn’t ask them to go, but they went. Paul sent Tychicus to preach. Onesiphorus had probably died as Paul greeted his household. Erastus had an important job in the city of Ephesus (Romans 16:23) so didn’t go into Paul’s next chapter of his life. Not everyone gets healed and Trophimus had stay behind.
You will keep some people
Luke was the writer, he’d seen it all, a fellow journeyman. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and others who are nameless, who knows who these are, except they were friends. Your friends may not be well-known but they can be highly valuable.
You will gain people
Mark returned after that earlier fall-out.
You will be hurt by people
Alexander is handed over to God, and Paul makes sure he doesn’t give a good reference.
You will remember people
Paul probably stayed at the house of Carpus, he had left his winter coat there and his books. He greets the great couple, Priscilla and Acquila.
People and the greatest of all is in the last verse, The Lord. He is with you!!
Missions Paul 