Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Timothy 4:11

"Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering." — 2 Timothy 4:11 (ASV)

Only Luke is with me. Luke, the author of the gospel which bears his name, and of the Acts of the Apostles. For a considerable part of Paul's ministry, he was his traveling companion (compare Barnes on Acts 16:10); and we know that he went with him to Rome (Acts 27:1).

Take Mark. John Mark (see Barnes on Acts 15:37).

He was the son of a sister of Barnabas and had been the traveling companion of Barnabas and Paul. There had been a temporary alienation between Paul and him (Acts 15:38), but this passage proves that that had been removed and that Paul was reconciled to him.

For he is profitable to me for the ministry. In what way Mark would be profitable, Paul does not say; nor is it known why Mark was with Timothy at that time. It may be observed, however, that this is such language as Paul might be expected to use concerning Mark, after what had occurred, as recorded in Acts 15:38.

Paul felt that he was now about to die. If he suspected that Mark harbored any lingering apprehension that the great apostle was not entirely reconciled to him, or recalled what had formerly occurred, nothing would have been more natural than that Paul, at this trying time of his life, should summon him to his side and express toward him the kindest emotions. It would soothe any lingering irritation in the mind of Mark to receive such a message.