13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16-17 At my first defence no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.  May it not be charged against them! 18 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

19-22 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.(plural) 2 Timothy 4:13-22 English Standard Version

How we finish life is more important than how we started it. A person may be born in a luxury private hospital to parents who are multi millionaires, yet die a lonely soul who went through many marriages. In the case of the apostle Paul, he was born to Jewish parents and brought up to be very religious, but was now facing death by some form of execution. Yet at this stage of his life he was able to say: “The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

I wonder what thoughts will occupy our minds if we are in a situation where we know that death is coming soon. In Paul's case he asked Timothy to bring him a cloak (as winter was drawing near), the books and the parchments. Timothy obviously knew what these were though we are not told. The books may have been Old Testament books of the Bible. The parchments may have contained writing, or may have been for him to yet write more letters on. He was still very active in serving the Lord to the end. Then, he took time to warn his friend Timothy of an individual who had caused him a lot of heartache. He doesn't ask for any personal revenge but is content to let the Lord deal with Alexander in His time. What is a similar sentiment he expresses concerning Christian people who had let him down? (vs 16-17)

He shows not bitterness or animosity but rather prays that God will be be gracious to them. What a blessing it must be to a soul near the end of life to have no hateful feelings towards others, but peacefully resting in the love of Christ. And even at this late stage of his life Paul knew that his fate was in Christ's hands. He knew that the Saviour who had rescued him from previous trials so that he could continue to spread the gospel was able to bring him safely through the experience of death into God's heavenly kingdom. I suspect that most people who read this post will, like myself, have gone through trials and disappointments in life. We may not have fulfilled our potential. But if the end of our days can be like Paul's we will count ourselves greatly blessed.

Does anything strike you in the final list of greetings he gives in vs 19-22?

He says he left Trophimus ill at Miletus. Christians did, and still do, get sick – and healing is not always God's will. Even Paul, who was used by God in many miraculous ways, did not pray Trophimus back to health. Our death will also most likely be from a health condition rather than persecution. But if our trust and faith is in Christ Jesus, then we too can be confident that the Lord is able to bring us safely into His heavenly kingdom. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)