Charles Spurgeon 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)

That is one of the prettiest verses in the Bible, for you will remember that the Apostle Paul quarreled with Barnabas about this very Mark. John Mark would not go into Bithynia to preach the Word but left Paul and Barnabas, and so Paul would not have Mark with him any longer, because he had turned back in the day of trouble.

But now Paul is about to die, and he wishes to be perfectly at peace with everyone. He has completely forgiven poor John Mark himself for his former weakness. Seeing grace in him, and therefore concerned that John Mark might still be apprehensive of the Apostle's anger, Paul includes this very kind passage—seemingly without any reference at all to the past—but gives him this great praise: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.