Paul is imprisoned in Rome a second time. He knows that his death is imminent. (2Ti 4:6) To add to his concerns, some of his associates, including Demas, have abandoned him. (2Ti 1:15; 4:10) But Paul has good reason to be happy. Several courageous brothers were not ashamed of supporting him. (2Ti 4:21) Onesiphorus, for instance, searched all over Rome in order to find Paul. (2Ti 1:16, 17) In spite of his prison chains, Paul remains unconquered. He focuses on the reward that is reserved for him in Christ’s “heavenly Kingdom.” (2Ti 4:8, 18) Even during this difficult time, Paul thinks, not of himself, but of others. From prison he writes his second inspired letter to Timothy, encouraging him to continue to be faithful.​—2Ti 1:7, 8; 2:3.

A house owned by a wealthy Roman family had many utensils. In the kitchen, slaves used pots and pans made of bronze or earthenware. They used larger earthenware jugs and amphoras to store such liquids as wine and olive oil. In the dining room, the Roman family used vessels made of colored glass, bronze, silver, or clay. The house also had vessels for a less honorable use, such as garbage containers and chamber pots. In the Bible, people are sometimes referred to as vessels in a figurative sense. (Ac 9:15) The apostle Paul compares the Christian congregation to “a large house” and individuals in the congregation to “utensils,” or household containers. Just as utensils that have “an honorable use” must be kept separate from utensils that have “a use lacking honor,” Christians must avoid associating closely with anyone in the congregation who would have an unclean influence on others.​—2Ti 2:20, 21.

While a prisoner in Rome, Paul wrote to Timothy: “Bring the cloak I left at Troas.” (2Ti 4:13) The Greek word for “cloak” likely meant a traveling cloak, similar to the ones shown here. Such a cloak was an indispensable item of clothing in the first century C.E. It protected the wearer against cold or wet weather. These cloaks were often made from a piece of wool, linen, or leather to which a hood was attached. They could also serve as blankets, protecting the owner against the cold during the night. At the time Paul wrote his letter, winter was approaching, which may explain why he asked for his cloak.​—2Ti 4:21.

Parchment was a writing material prepared from the skin of an animal, such as a sheep, goat, or calf. As writing material, parchment was more durable than papyrus. (See Glossary, “Papyrus.”) The photo (1) shows what is left of an ancient parchment notebook dated from the second century C.E. Originally, this notebook would have contained individual sheets of parchment bound together along one edge, much like a book today. Scrolls (2) could also be made of parchment. Individual parchment sheets were joined together to form one long roll. When asking Timothy to bring “the parchments” (2Ti 4:13), Paul may have been referring to leather scrolls of the Hebrew Scriptures. Or he may have wanted his personal study notes; according to some scholars, the Greek word for “parchments” can also refer to parchment notebooks for private notes or drafts.

Highlighted on the map is the ancient city of Miletus on the west coast of Asia Minor (in modern-day Türkiye). The Bible record indicates that Paul visited this city at least twice. The first visit took place toward the end of his third missionary tour (about 56 C.E.). On his way to Jerusalem, he arrived at Miletus by ship and called the elders in the Ephesus congregation to an important meeting. To reach Miletus from Ephesus, the elders traveled by land and also likely by ferry, making a journey of about 70 km (44 mi). After an emotional farewell, Paul was escorted to the ship to continue his journey. (Ac 20:17-38) It seems that Paul again visited Miletus after being released from his first imprisonment in Rome. He wrote that he “left Trophimus sick at Miletus.”​—2Ti 4:20; see the map “Paul’s Journeys After c. 61 C.E.”

1. Part of one of the ancient harbors. As a result of silting, the ruins of Miletus are now located about 8 km (5 mi) inland.

2. The ancient theater was originally built in the third century B.C.E. but was renovated several times.

3. The map shows the ancient coastline.