4:11a

Only Luke is with me: This is another reason Paul asked Timothy to come to him. He did not have enough people to help him do all the work he wanted to do.

4:11b

Get Mark and bring him with you: Bible scholars are not sure where Mark was at this time. Apparently Timothy knew where he was. It also seems probable that Timothy would be able to go to the place where Mark was staying as he traveled on his way to Rome. The important point is that Paul wanted Timothy to contact Mark and to bring him to Rome.

4:11c

because he is useful to me in the ministry: This clause gives the reason why Paul wanted Timothy to bring Mark with him.

in the ministry: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the ministry is literally “in service.” Paul probably meant that Mark could help him both in preaching and teaching the word of God Mark could also help Paul in personal and practical ways while Paul was a prisoner.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.