2 Timothy– Chapter Four XXXI

by Ed Urzi

“Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren” (2 Timothy 4:21).

Two sources explain the urgency behind the Apostle Paul’s request to Timothy and this heartfelt appeal to “Do your best to come before winter” (Mounce)

“The seas were closed down to traffic in winter; shipping was completely closed down from around November 10 to as late as March 10, but the periods from about September 15 to November 10 and March 11 to May 26 were risky periods as well.

Timothy thus could not sail from Ephesus in winter, but even if he took the overland route north of Greece, as Paul seems to expect (2Ti_4:13), he would still need to sail across the Adriatic, which was also closed. If Timothy delayed, he would not be able to come until spring—and Paul might not still be alive then. Paul may have sent this letter by Tychicus in summer, leaving Timothy little time to set matters in order and come to him.” (1)

“The safe sailing season was from May 27 to September 14. Risky seasons were from March 10 to May 26 and from September 15 to November 11. The winter season, from November 12 to March 9, was avoided except for emergencies or military campaigns. Even travel on land was avoided during winter—hence Paul’s plan to spend one winter at Corinth (1 Cor. 16:5–6) and another at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12), as well as his urgent plea to Timothy, “Do your best to come before winter” (2 Tim. 4:21).

The greatest danger of winter sailing, of course, was shipwrecks. In his second letter to Corinth, Paul mentions being shipwrecked three times, and on one of these occasions, spending a night and a day floating in the open sea. Yet we know of another shipwreck still, and Luke’s description of it (in Acts 27) is one of the most vivid narratives in all of ancient literature.” (2)

While some of those mentioned earlier in 2 Timothy chapter four are relatively well known, we have little or no information regarding Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia. Early church tradition tells us that Linus served as the bishop of Rome. In addition, some speculate that Claudia may have been related to royalty. But other than these bits of fragmentary information, we know nothing else about these individuals beyond what is written here.

Yet even while these four persons may remain unknown to us, they are well known to God- and the same is true for us as well.

(1) Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary [2 Timothy 4:19-22]

(2) Edwin M. Yamauchi, Christian History magazine Issue 47, On the Road with Paul. The ease—and dangers—of travel in ancient world. (Carol Stream, IL: Christianity Today, Inc.) 1997.