“The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.” II Timothy 4:13
Since I was a small boy I have always loved to read. In our home reading was encouraged, so early on I developed a strong love for books. Perhaps that is why one of my great passions is promoting the written word. Books have played an important part in my life.
Many Christians today do not place a strong emphasis on reading, yet I have never met a successful person who was not an avid reader in their field. Reading and success are almost always connected to one another.
Paul was obviously a reader. He asked Timothy to bring three things to him when he came, his cloak, his books and his parchments. Paul was in prison at the time of this writing. Obviously he had time on his hands. What did he decide to do with that time? He decided to read. He could not preach but he could read. There are several interesting things about this passage that should be noted when it comes to the subject of reading.
- Reading is a good way to pass idle time. In this day and age, we have more distractions in our lives than we need. Unfortunately, those distractions have also caused many people to stop reading. Paul had very little to do while he was there in prison so he decided to use his time to read. God’s people need to be more involved in reading in their spare time. The best way to overcome the television and the entertainment of this world is not merely by restraining or refraining from it but by substituting with good books.
- Reading was a means of escape for Paul. In chapter one Paul said, “For the which cause I also suffer these things…” Imagine the dimly lit dungeon in which Paul was confined. He describes to Timothy the suffering he was enduring. Reading was a way to take his mind off of the suffering. It was a means of mental escape from his discomfort and suffering. Many times when I am struggling I find that reading takes my mind away from those things which are trying to bring me down. It is good to read in order to escape from negative thoughts during times of suffering.
- Paul wanted to control what he was going to read. Certainly, there were books that would have been easier for him to obtain, but there were specific books that Paul requested. It was not enough to read. He wanted to read the right materials. We don’t know what books Paul had in his library. Obviously he was a learned man so no doubt he had been an avid reader in the past. He had some books that meant a lot to him and no doubt he had chosen carefully the books he wanted. A Christian should not only read but they should be careful to select the right books they read. There are those who will promote books to you that do not promote fundamental values. Choose carefully what books you read just as Paul did.
- Paul was an example to Timothy in his reading. Imagine a young Timothy realizing how important reading was to his mentor Paul. No doubt Timothy looked at the books that Paul was reading and decided that he would probably want to read those same books. Not only do we encourage those around us to read but we also should be an encouragement as to what they should read. My dad taught me to find out what the great men were reading. It is wise for a preacher to recommend good books to his people. It is wise for a parent to recommend good books to their children. A good leader not only reads but influences his followers to read as well.
- Books made for a good companion and his lonely hours. Paul said to Timothy, “Greatly desiring to see thee…” How could Paul not be lonely as he sat in that dungeon? He longed to see Timothy, but he knew his visit would be short. He wanted the books to as a companion for when he was gone. We sit in our living rooms with our remote controls and we surf from channel to channel trying to find something worth watching. Sadly we often settle for something that is really not a benefit nor is it edifying to us. However, we can always pick up a good book that is good to sit and read. We are not merely occupying our minds but we are being challenged as we do so. Books make good companions in lonely hours.
- Paul valued his books. Paul was alone in that prison cell, yet he thought about his books. He loved those books. He found comfort in them. He found strength in them. He found wisdom in them. He found encouragement in them. The books were his companion when he was alone. Those who read find value in our books.
What about the parchments? Parchments were mentioned separately from his books. These parchments were the equivalent to our writing paper today. It leads me to believe that these were journals that Paul kept. Not only was Paul a reader, but he wrote down his thoughts, no doubt in journals. Perhaps he wrote notes about people he met, lessons he had learned, or experiences that he had enjoyed or endured. Paul wanted to read his own writings to refresh his memory concerning these things.
Not only should we be good readers, but we should also develop into good writers. Journaling is a great way for us to learn how to express our thoughts. People often ask how they can become a writer. The answer is simple. Write. What should you write you may wonder. Write your thoughts before you forget them. When you are reading scripture and the Lord lays a thought on your heart, write it down. When you go through an interesting experience in your life write about it. When you learn a lesson from an experience, write about that lesson. Someone once said, “If you don’t enjoy reading what you write why would anyone else want to read it?”
I believe the parchments were Paul’s own writings of thoughts he had had through his travels and even his persecutions. Perhaps he had written notes of conversations he had with others. Perhaps he had written quotes from people who said something significant. Whatever it was, Paul was more interested in reading those parchments than he was the books. Perhaps he wanted to write even while he was there and journal his thoughts.
When our daughter Amanda was born she had a terrible illness that would eventually take her life at a very young age. I began to write many of the thoughts that I had during this time. I cannot tell you how often I have gone back and read what I wrote and it has comforted me and reminded me of God’s grace during a very difficult time. My own writing has often been second only to the Scriptures in giving me the courage and comfort I needed.
Christians need to follow the example of the Apostle Paul and become more in tune with books. I like what Charles Hadden Spurgeon said, “We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterward you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, ‘Bring the books” — join in the cry.’”
Pastor Neal, through his preaching and his counseling, displays the compassionate heart of a pastor, follows the true leading of the Holy Spirit, and expresses a fervent desire to see lost souls come to know Christ. It is his ultimate desire to see the greater Jacksonville area reached for the cause of Christ and for revival to come to Northeast Florida.
