Except for These ChainsSýnishorn

One of the hardest things to face in prison is the feeling of being alone, of being abandoned by friends and relatives. Loneliness is not only experienced in solitary confinement. Paul knew what this meant. In the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy, his young fellow worker, he talks about his experience during his second imprisonment in Rome which terminated with his execution.

Paul asks Timothy to come and visit him as soon as possible. Other names are mentioned in this passage: some were not able to remain in Rome because of urgent business elsewhere, others had been sent by Paul on various missions, while a certain Alexander the metalworker was speaking and acting against Paul and his message. We cannot always count on the presence and help of others, especially during detention.

Paul requests that Timothy bring him a cloak he had left at Troas – this would be necessary for the cold winter nights soon to come (2 Timothy 4:21). He also asks for his scrolls and parchments. These would include portions of Scripture. Even though Paul knew that he would be executed in the near future (2 Timothy 4:6), he longed for the comfort that comes from the Word of God. Bible reading is important for all of us, but especially for those suffering from loneliness, in prison or outside.

Paul had found himself in court without a lawyer or even a friend to defend and encourage him. It seems that no one wanted to be associated with him for fear of sharing his fate. Paul, however, was not really alone: But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength (v.17). As a result, Paul was able to testify to the truth of the Gospel without fear to all present in court. This was the fulfillment of a promise made by God years before when Paul was in prison in Jerusalem: The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11).

The same promise is available to all who believe: God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5,6). Count on this promise when you feel alone, wherever you are.