Phile 24 | TNotes | STEP | 1:24 These men are also mentioned at the end of Colossians (Col 4:10 , 14 ). • co-workers: They helped Paul spread the Good News. • Mark: See profile for John Mark at end of chapter. • Aristarchus was a faithful associate of Paul for many years (Acts 19:29 ; 20:4 ; 27:2 ). • Demas was a co-worker who later abandoned Paul (2 Tim 4:10 ). • Luke: See profile for Luke at end of chapter. Profile: Timothy Timothy traveled with Paul for much of his missionary career and was one of Paul’s best-loved and most trusted assistants. Two of Paul’s last letters were written to Timothy at a time when Timothy was providing leadership for the church in Ephesus, near the end of Paul’s life. Timothy had a devout mother and grandmother (2 Tim 1:5 ), and he was highly respected by the Christians in his hometown, Lystra, and in nearby Iconium. He joined Paul’s missionary team on Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul speaks of prophetic words that confirmed Timothy’s selection. Timothy also received a special gifting for service through the laying on of the hands of the elders and of Paul (1 Tim 1:18 ; 4:14 ; 2 Tim 1:6 ). Out of deference to the Jews in the area, Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:1-3 ). Over the next fifteen years, Paul sent Timothy on special assignments to several different churches (Acts 19:22 ; 1 Cor 4:17 ; 16:10-11 ; Phil 2:19-23 ; 1 Thes 3:1-6 ; 1 Tim 1:3 ; see also Acts 17:14-15 ; 18:5 ). Paul included Timothy’s name as coauthor of several of his letters (2 Cor 1:1 ; Phil 1:1 ; Col 1:1 ; 1 Thes 1:1 ; 2 Thes 1:1 ; Phlm 1:1 ). It is clear that Paul had a close relationship with Timothy and held him in high regard (see Rom 16:21 ; 1 Cor 4:17 ; 1 Thes 3:2 ; 1 Tim 1:2 ; 6:11 ; 2 Tim 1:2 ). As Paul neared the end of his life and awaited his sentence in prison, he longed to see Timothy (2 Tim 1:3-4 ). Of all Paul’s coworkers, Timothy especially is commended for his selfless concern for Christ and his people (Phil 2:20-22 ). In Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy), written shortly before Paul was killed, he encouraged Timothy to be bold and fearless in his proclamation of the Good News, willing to suffer for Christ (2 Tim 1:8 ; 2:1-3 ; 4:1-2 , 5 )—a strong word to one who might have been timid by nature (see 2 Tim 1:6-7 ). Timothy himself seems to have become a prisoner later on (Heb 13:23 ). Timothy was exemplary in the way he faithfully served the cause of Christ behind the scenes, devoting himself selflessly and with single-minded focus to the work of Christ and the people of Christ wherever help was needed. He serves as a reminder that believers should seek to become strong and effective witnesses for Christ. Passages for Further Study Acts 16:1-3 ; 17:14-15 ; 18:5 ; 19:22 ; 20:4 ; Rom 16:21 ; 1 Cor 4:17 ; 16:10-11 ; 2 Cor 1:1 , 19 ; Phil 1:1 ; 2:19-23 ; Col 1:1 ; 1 Thes 1:1 ; 3:2-6 ; 2 Thes 1:1 ; 1–2 Tim ; Phlm 1:1 ; Heb 13:23 Profile: John Mark John Mark, writer of the earliest Gospel (the Gospel of Mark), was an assistant of three early missionaries—Barnabas, Paul, and Peter. Mark was taken along as an assistant by Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey. However, for unknown reasons, he left them to return to Jerusalem before the trip was completed (Acts 12:25 ; 13:4-5 , 13 ). Because of this, when Barnabas wanted to take him along on the second trip, Paul flatly refused. The sharp disagreement that resulted broke the team apart: Barnabas took Mark (his cousin) with him, while Paul chose Silas, and the two pairs went their separate ways (15:36-41 ). Later, it appears that Paul and Mark were reconciled and that Mark once again served as his assistant. In Colossians, Paul refers to him as a coworker and suggests that he may soon be sending him to visit the church in Colosse (Col 4:10 ; see also Phlm 1:24 ). Still later, when Paul was awaiting execution in prison in Rome, he asked Timothy to bring Mark with him, for he thought Mark would be helpful to him in his ministry (2 Tim 4:11 ). Mark also appears to have assisted Peter when Peter was engaged in missionary work in Italy near the end of his life. In one of Peter’s letters, he speaks endearingly of Mark as his “son” who is with him (1 Pet 5:13 ). Early Christian tradition speaks of Mark as Peter’s “interpreter” and indicates that it was from Peter himself that Mark got the information for his account of the life and words of Jesus (Eusebius, Church History 3.39.16). Generally considered to be the earliest of all the Gospels, Mark’s Gospel was almost certainly one of the key sources used by Matthew and Luke when they later wrote their own Gospels. For this reason, Mark’s Gospel is one of the most influential of all the early Christian writings. Mark’s story reminds us that God can overcome human failings and restore rocky relationships for the sake of Christ and the Good News. Early failures do not disqualify a person from a life of effective service and even lasting significance. Passages for Further Study Acts 12:12 , 25 ; 13:4-5 , 13 ; 15:36-39 ; Col 4:10 ; 2 Tim 4:11 ; Phlm 1:23-24 ; 1 Pet 5:13 Profile: Luke Luke, a Gentile medical doctor who became a convert and trusted assistant of Paul in his missionary work, wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles—roughly one-quarter of the New Testament. Though we know very little about Luke’s background, he seems to have first encountered Paul and his preaching in western Asia Minor, where he became a convert. Leaving his home, he devoted his life to the service of Christ and the Good News as a dedicated assistant of Paul. Paul speaks of him warmly as “the beloved doctor” and one of his faithful “coworkers” (Col 4:14 ; Phlm 1:24 ). Luke is the only Christian who faithfully remained with Paul when Paul was awaiting execution in Rome (2 Tim 4:11 ). And he is the only Gentile to have his writings included in the New Testament. Accompanying Paul on his last trip to Jerusalem, Luke probably acquired the information for his Gospel and the early part of the book of Acts from people he interviewed in Judea while Paul was imprisoned there for two years. Having talked extensively with people who heard and saw Jesus, and having carefully studied what others had written about him, Luke then wrote his own careful account of Jesus’ life and teachings (see Luke 1:1-4 ). When Paul was sent by ship to Rome to have his case tried there, Luke accompanied him. While Paul was under house arrest, awaiting his trial, Luke might have used the time to write the book of Acts. The first fifteen chapters provide a chronological account of the earliest missionary work as told to him by the early followers of Christ—and probably by Paul himself. But beginning at Acts 16:10 —the point at which Luke joined Paul’s team—he provides a direct eyewitness account. In Acts, Luke emphasizes the way the Holy Spirit empowered and guided the early missionaries in their witness (see Acts 1:4-5 , 8 ). The book ends with Paul still under house arrest in Rome (28:30-31 ). We are indebted to Luke for many unique passages including his account of Jesus’ birth, descriptions of Jesus’ ministry to women, many words about Jesus caring for the poor, and the only comprehensive account of the first thirty years of Christian missionary activity—all carefully documented. Through Luke’s writings we gain a much deeper appreciation of the crucial work of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Jesus and the early missionaries. Passages for Further Study Luke 1:3 ; Acts 1:1 ; 16:10 ; Col 4:14 ; 2 Tim 4:11 ; Phlm 1:24

1:24 ^a These men are also mentioned at the end of Colossians (Col 4:10 ^b, 14 ^c).

• co-workers: They helped Paul spread the Good News.

• Mark: See profile for John Mark at end of chapter.

• Aristarchus was a faithful associate of Paul for many years (Acts 19:29 ^d; 20:4 ^e; 27:2 ^f).

• Demas was a co-worker who later abandoned Paul (2 Tim 4:10 ^g).

• Luke: See profile for Luke at end of chapter.

Profile: Timothy
Timothy traveled with Paul for much of his missionary career and was one of Paul’s best-loved and most trusted assistants. Two of Paul’s last letters were written to Timothy at a time when Timothy was providing leadership for the church in Ephesus, near the end of Paul’s life.
Timothy had a devout mother and grandmother (2 Tim 1:5 ^h), and he was highly respected by the Christians in his hometown, Lystra, and in nearby Iconium. He joined Paul’s missionary team on Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul speaks of prophetic words that confirmed Timothy’s selection. Timothy also received a special gifting for service through the laying on of the hands of the elders and of Paul (1 Tim 1:18 ⁱ; 4:14 ^j; 2 Tim 1:6 ^k). Out of deference to the Jews in the area, Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:1-3 ^l).
Over the next fifteen years, Paul sent Timothy on special assignments to several different churches (Acts 19:22 ^m; 1 Cor 4:17 ⁿ; 16:10-11 ^o; Phil 2:19-23 ^p; 1 Thes 3:1-6 ^q; 1 Tim 1:3 ^r; see also Acts 17:14-15 ^s; 18:5 ^t). Paul included Timothy’s name as coauthor of several of his letters (2 Cor 1:1 ^u; Phil 1:1 ^v; Col 1:1 ^w; 1 Thes 1:1 ^x; 2 Thes 1:1 ^y; Phlm 1:1 ^z). It is clear that Paul had a close relationship with Timothy and held him in high regard (see Rom 16:21 ^aa; 1 Cor 4:17 ^ab; 1 Thes 3:2 ^ac; 1 Tim 1:2 ^ad; 6:11 ^ae; 2 Tim 1:2 ^af). As Paul neared the end of his life and awaited his sentence in prison, he longed to see Timothy (2 Tim 1:3-4 ^ag). Of all Paul’s coworkers, Timothy especially is commended for his selfless concern for Christ and his people (Phil 2:20-22 ^ah).
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy), written shortly before Paul was killed, he encouraged Timothy to be bold and fearless in his proclamation of the Good News, willing to suffer for Christ (2 Tim 1:8 ^ai; 2:1-3 ^aj; 4:1-2 ^ak, 5 ^al)—a strong word to one who might have been timid by nature (see 2 Tim 1:6-7 ^am). Timothy himself seems to have become a prisoner later on (Heb 13:23 ^an).
Timothy was exemplary in the way he faithfully served the cause of Christ behind the scenes, devoting himself selflessly and with single-minded focus to the work of Christ and the people of Christ wherever help was needed. He serves as a reminder that believers should seek to become strong and effective witnesses for Christ.

Passages for Further Study
Acts 16:1-3 ^ao; 17:14-15 ^ap; 18:5 ^aq; 19:22 ^ar; 20:4 ^as; Rom 16:21 ^at; 1 Cor 4:17 ^au; 16:10-11 ^av; 2 Cor 1:1 ^aw, 19 ^ax; Phil 1:1 ^ay; 2:19-23 ^az; Col 1:1 ^ba; 1 Thes 1:1 ^bb; 3:2-6 ^bc; 2 Thes 1:1 ^bd; 1–2 Tim ^be; Phlm 1:1 ^bf; Heb 13:23 ^bg

Profile: John Mark
John Mark, writer of the earliest Gospel (the Gospel of Mark), was an assistant of three early missionaries—Barnabas, Paul, and Peter.
Mark was taken along as an assistant by Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey. However, for unknown reasons, he left them to return to Jerusalem before the trip was completed (Acts 12:25 ^bh; 13:4-5 ^bi, 13 ^bj). Because of this, when Barnabas wanted to take him along on the second trip, Paul flatly refused. The sharp disagreement that resulted broke the team apart: Barnabas took Mark (his cousin) with him, while Paul chose Silas, and the two pairs went their separate ways (15:36-41 ^bk).
Later, it appears that Paul and Mark were reconciled and that Mark once again served as his assistant. In Colossians, Paul refers to him as a coworker and suggests that he may soon be sending him to visit the church in Colosse (Col 4:10 ^bl; see also Phlm 1:24 ^bm). Still later, when Paul was awaiting execution in prison in Rome, he asked Timothy to bring Mark with him, for he thought Mark would be helpful to him in his ministry (2 Tim 4:11 ^bn).
Mark also appears to have assisted Peter when Peter was engaged in missionary work in Italy near the end of his life. In one of Peter’s letters, he speaks endearingly of Mark as his “son” who is with him (1 Pet 5:13 ^bo). Early Christian tradition speaks of Mark as Peter’s “interpreter” and indicates that it was from Peter himself that Mark got the information for his account of the life and words of Jesus (Eusebius, Church History 3.39.16). Generally considered to be the earliest of all the Gospels, Mark’s Gospel was almost certainly one of the key sources used by Matthew and Luke when they later wrote their own Gospels. For this reason, Mark’s Gospel is one of the most influential of all the early Christian writings.
Mark’s story reminds us that God can overcome human failings and restore rocky relationships for the sake of Christ and the Good News. Early failures do not disqualify a person from a life of effective service and even lasting significance.

Passages for Further Study
Acts 12:12 ^bp, 25 ^bq; 13:4-5 ^br, 13 ^bs; 15:36-39 ^bt; Col 4:10 ^bu; 2 Tim 4:11 ^bv; Phlm 1:23-24 ^bw; 1 Pet 5:13 ^bx

Profile: Luke
Luke, a Gentile medical doctor who became a convert and trusted assistant of Paul in his missionary work, wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles—roughly one-quarter of the New Testament.
Though we know very little about Luke’s background, he seems to have first encountered Paul and his preaching in western Asia Minor, where he became a convert. Leaving his home, he devoted his life to the service of Christ and the Good News as a dedicated assistant of Paul. Paul speaks of him warmly as “the beloved doctor” and one of his faithful “coworkers” (Col 4:14 ^by; Phlm 1:24 ^bz). Luke is the only Christian who faithfully remained with Paul when Paul was awaiting execution in Rome (2 Tim 4:11 ^ca). And he is the only Gentile to have his writings included in the New Testament.
Accompanying Paul on his last trip to Jerusalem, Luke probably acquired the information for his Gospel and the early part of the book of Acts from people he interviewed in Judea while Paul was imprisoned there for two years. Having talked extensively with people who heard and saw Jesus, and having carefully studied what others had written about him, Luke then wrote his own careful account of Jesus’ life and teachings (see Luke 1:1-4 ^cb).
When Paul was sent by ship to Rome to have his case tried there, Luke accompanied him. While Paul was under house arrest, awaiting his trial, Luke might have used the time to write the book of Acts. The first fifteen chapters provide a chronological account of the earliest missionary work as told to him by the early followers of Christ—and probably by Paul himself. But beginning at Acts 16:10 ^cc—the point at which Luke joined Paul’s team—he provides a direct eyewitness account. In Acts, Luke emphasizes the way the Holy Spirit empowered and guided the early missionaries in their witness (see Acts 1:4-5 ^cd, 8 ^ce). The book ends with Paul still under house arrest in Rome (28:30-31 ^cf).
We are indebted to Luke for many unique passages including his account of Jesus’ birth, descriptions of Jesus’ ministry to women, many words about Jesus caring for the poor, and the only comprehensive account of the first thirty years of Christian missionary activity—all carefully documented. Through Luke’s writings we gain a much deeper appreciation of the crucial work of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Jesus and the early missionaries.

Passages for Further Study
Luke 1:3 ^cg; Acts 1:1 ^ch; 16:10 ^ci; Col 4:14 ^cj; 2 Tim 4:11 ^ck; Phlm 1:24 ^cl