2 Timothy Chapter 4

vs 13

This is one of those verses that I always point out as an obvious example of why we can't just simply follow all the commands that are given, especially in the NT. Although I don't know of any Christian sect dumb enough to have, say, a yearly pilgrimage from Troas to Rome carrying a cloak, some scrolls and parchments, the church has in the past and probably does in the present things that are almost equally stupid, and probably less biblical.

vs 14-15

Probably an idol-maker. They obviously had something to lose by Paul turning people away from idols. This might be Paul's way of saying "watch out for him, but don't go and try to punish him on my account - God'll zap him". I don't know what it says about the political situation of the empire when people can whip up frenzied riots over the preaching of one man, but sufficed to say that if people have pent-up frustration which they can't take out on the political leadership due to oppression, they do tend to do things like this. Still happens today.

vs 16

That must have been very painful for Paul, but he is obviously drawing a parallel to Jesus' ministry. This happens all through Acts, so no reason Paul's not allowed to do it. But we also have to be prepared to go it alone if things get tough - there's no reason our friends and Christian family will be any different if it really hits the fan.

vs 17

But God didn't ever leave Paul's side, and although Paul might have suffered some bad things, the gospel was able to be preached. That's what Paul really cares about - God wasn't with him just to minister to him in his sufferings (although he did save him from the lion's mouth, whatever that was), but was with him to ensure that the job God had given Paul would be done.

vs 18

Note that God won't rescue Paul and bring him safely back to Antioch necessarily, or to anywhere else other than his heavenly kingdom. God's got the priorities right, and it would seem Paul does too.

vs 19-22

Good old Priscilla and Aquila, and Onesiphorus. Not much more here, except that it's interesting that Paul is happy to leave people behind (like Trophimus sick in Miletus) but doesn't want to be left alone himself. That either means that Paul has a huge double standard, or that he understands why people have left him to go and continue their work.