Paul’s Scrolls

“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” (2 Timothy 4:13)

As Paul sat in prison, waiting to be executed, he wanted his friend, Pastor Timothy, to come to him, and he hoped Timothy could bring a few things with him. They’re not what we might expect a man at the end of his life to request. First, Paul wanted Timothy to bring his cloak. It must have been cold in his prison cell. Little details like this prove Paul’s authorship. This is a real letter written by a real person.

Second, Paul wanted Timothy to bring his “scrolls, especially the parchments.” It’s easy to pass over these words, unless you really take the time to think about them. More than anything else—food, money, mementos…—Paul wanted his scrolls. What could possibly be so important about old scrolls?

They were God’s Word! We’re not told specifically what was written on those scrolls, but the best guess of Bible scholars is that they were copies of books of the Old Testament. It’s fascinating to think about, isn’t it? Did Paul have his own scrolls of the Old Testament that he carried with him as he traveled? Is that one reason why his inspired writings are filled with quotations from Genesis and Isaiah? What could dying Paul possibly want more than to be reunited with his copies of God’s precious Word?

It’s noteworthy that two different types of documents are mentioned: Scrolls and parchments. Could those parchments have contained copies of Paul’s own writings? We know from history that Christians from early on compiled Paul’s letters into books as well as scrolls. There’s no doubt that written copies of God’s Word—both the Old Testament and the new writings of the New Testament—were already circulating in Paul’s day.

This is what dying Paul wanted: His cloak for the cold, his Christian friend for encouragement, and God’s Word for his soul. There was nothing more valuable to Paul than his friend, his scrolls, and his parchments.

Wouldn’t this be an appropriate wish for you and me when death draws near? “Please come and visit me, and when you do, bring me God’s Word. Read to me again and again the words of Psalm 23. Remind me over and over of Jesus’ promise of the resurrection and the life.” 

There’s nothing more valuable than those ancient scrolls! 

Dear Lord God, one day, like Paul, I will walk through the valley of the shadow of death. When that time comes, in your grace, surround me with Christian friends who comfort me with your Word. Amen.