Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. After listing those who left, Paul identifies his sole companion: "Only Luke is with me" (Loukas estin monos met' emou, Λουκᾶς ἐστιν μόνος μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ). Luke, the beloved physician and Gospel author (Colossians 4:14), remained faithful through Paul's final imprisonment. Monos (μόνος) emphasizes isolation—only one coworker remained. This reveals Luke's exceptional faithfulness, willing to risk his own safety to minister to imprisoned Paul.
Paul requests Timothy bring Mark: "Take Mark, and bring him with thee" (Markon analabōn age meta seautou, Μᾶρκον ἀναλαβὼν ἄγε μετὰ σεαυτοῦ). Analambanō (ἀναλαμβάνω) means take along, bring with. Agō (ἄγω) means lead, bring. Mark is John Mark, author of Mark's Gospel, who earlier abandoned Paul during first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), causing sharp conflict between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40). Paul refused to take Mark again, considering him unreliable.
Yet now Paul specifically requests Mark, declaring: "for he is profitable to me for the ministry" (estin gar moi euchrēstos eis diakonian, ἔστιν γάρ μοι εὔχρηστος εἰς διακονίαν). Euchrēstos (εὔχρηστος) means useful, beneficial, serviceable. Mark's restored usefulness demonstrates redemption's power—early failure doesn't determine final outcome. Paul's willingness to reconcile and trust Mark again models Christian forgiveness and restoration. Young ministers may fail initially but can mature into faithful servants. Mark's story encourages all who have failed: repentance and faithfulness can restore usefulness.
Historical Context
Mark's journey from deserter to useful minister spans years. After abandoning Paul (circa AD 46), he apparently ministered with Peter in Rome (1 Peter 5:13), wrote his Gospel (likely the first), and matured significantly. By AD 67, Paul trusted him enough to request his presence during final imprisonment. Church tradition says Mark later founded the Alexandrian church and died as martyr. His Gospel, emphasizing Jesus as suffering servant, may reflect lessons learned from his own failure and restoration. The reconciliation between Paul and Mark demonstrates that initial failure isn't final verdict.
Questions for Reflection
How does Mark's story from deserter to useful minister encourage you if you've failed in Christian service or relationships?
Are you willing, like Paul, to forgive those who've failed or abandoned you and give them opportunity for restored usefulness?
What past failures or broken relationships need reconciliation and restoration through repentance, forgiveness, and renewed trust?
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Analysis & Commentary
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. After listing those who left, Paul identifies his sole companion: "Only Luke is with me" (Loukas estin monos met' emou, Λουκᾶς ἐστιν μόνος μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ). Luke, the beloved physician and Gospel author (Colossians 4:14), remained faithful through Paul's final imprisonment. Monos (μόνος) emphasizes isolation—only one coworker remained. This reveals Luke's exceptional faithfulness, willing to risk his own safety to minister to imprisoned Paul.
Paul requests Timothy bring Mark: "Take Mark, and bring him with thee" (Markon analabōn age meta seautou, Μᾶρκον ἀναλαβὼν ἄγε μετὰ σεαυτοῦ). Analambanō (ἀναλαμβάνω) means take along, bring with. Agō (ἄγω) means lead, bring. Mark is John Mark, author of Mark's Gospel, who earlier abandoned Paul during first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), causing sharp conflict between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40). Paul refused to take Mark again, considering him unreliable.
Yet now Paul specifically requests Mark, declaring: "for he is profitable to me for the ministry" (estin gar moi euchrēstos eis diakonian, ἔστιν γάρ μοι εὔχρηστος εἰς διακονίαν). Euchrēstos (εὔχρηστος) means useful, beneficial, serviceable. Mark's restored usefulness demonstrates redemption's power—early failure doesn't determine final outcome. Paul's willingness to reconcile and trust Mark again models Christian forgiveness and restoration. Young ministers may fail initially but can mature into faithful servants. Mark's story encourages all who have failed: repentance and faithfulness can restore usefulness.