2 Timothy is the last book that the Apostle Paul wrote.  History tells us that he was beheaded in Rome by the Emperor Nero around 67 A.D. It is thought his death occurred about six months after the writing of this book.  This is somewhat speculative because the Bible does not mention Paul’s death. 

Paul seemed to anticipate his death as he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:6-7, “For I am now ready to be offered, and THE TIME OF MY DEPARTURE IS AT HAND. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”  Paul had certainly come to accept his passing and seemed to be at perfect peace about it.  In fact, he wrote in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  Also, Paul had written to assure all believers that, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8).  His confidence and assurance certainly never wavered as he faced his impending death.

At the time of this writing, Paul was in prison in Rome.  While, at other times, he had been under house arrest, where he could easily receive visitors, this prison seems to be more harsh and solitary.  He wrote in 2 Timothy 1:16-17, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.”  This indicates that Paul’s imprisonment here was stricter than before and he was not easily found by Onesiphorus…his faithful friend who looked until he found Paul. 

Now, let’s address your good question.  We read in 2 Timothy 4:13, “The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”  Earlier in this letter to Timothy, Paul urged Timothy to come to him quickly.  He wrote in verse 9, “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me.”  Paul’s urgency is explained in verse 21, “Do thy diligence to come before winter…”  Paul’s prison cell would be cold during the winter months, so he wanted Timothy to get there before cold weather set in.  He asked Timothy to bring him three things.

  • His cloke, or coat.  Obviously, Paul would need his coat during the winter season.
  • His parchments.  Most believe that the parchments that Paul spoke of refer to copies of the scriptures. This is the only time this word is used in the Bible and most likely refers to sheep skin parchments that had been used for years for writing.  While we cannot say with absolute certainly what these parchments contained, it is obvious they were of great importance, for he said, “ESPECIALLY the parchments.”
  • His books.  The books, in all likelihood referred to different books that Paul had collected over time.  Paul was a very intelligent and well-educated person. He studied under the respected teacher, Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3), so he was well versed in the Jewish traditions and Law.  Once Paul was in Mars’ Hill, speaking to the Athenians.  He remarked that, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” (Acts 17:28).  This shows that Paul was familiar with the poetic writings of this people.  Again, we cannot speak with certainty about the contents of these books, but it does seem to indicate that Paul loved to read and that he respected useful and wholesome writers of different people.  (CC)  (641.4)