Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 4:13

"The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments." — 2 Timothy 4:13 (ASV)

It is evident that Timothy was not to go by ship directly to Rome from the large seaport of Ephesus, for he is requested to pick up the cloak Paul had left with Carpus at Troas. Nothing further is known about Carpus.

The “cloak” was probably a traveling cloak with long sleeves, which would keep Paul warm while in prison.

Timothy was also to bring Paul’s “scrolls,” written documents probably made of papyrus. Paul especially wanted his “parchments,” i.e., scrolls or codices written on animal skins. These may have been leather scrolls of OT books.