While the apostle Paul was immured in prison walls that were reeking with dampness, himself a sufferer from infirmities, he greatly desired to see Timothy, his son in the gospel, and leave him his dying charge. He had no hope of release from his bondage until his life should be yielded up. The wicked Nero’s heart was thoroughly satanic, and at a word or a nod from him the apostle’s life would be cut short. Paul urged the immediate presence of Timothy, and yet feared he would not come soon enough to receive the last testimony from his lips. He therefore repeated the words he would speak to Timothy, to one of his fellow laborers, who was allowed to be his companion in bonds. This faithful attendant wrote the dying charge of Paul, a small portion of which we here quote: {4T 352.1}

Selvom apostlen Paulus blev kastet ind bag de fugtige fængselsmure og selv led af sygdomme, ønskede han stærkt at se Timotius, hans søn i evangeliet og efterlade ham sin sidste formaning. Han havde intet håb om at blive befriet fra sin trældom, for hans liv skulle opgives. Den onde Neros hjerte var helt igennem satanisk og et ord eller et nik fra ham, kunne afkorte apostlens liv. Paulus bad indstændigt om Timotius kunne komme omgående og dog frygtede han at han ikke ville komme hurtig nok og få det sidste vidnesbyrd fra hans læber. Han gentog derfor de ord han ville sige til Timotius, til en af sine medarbejdere, som havde fået lov til at være hans følgesvend i lænkerne. Denne trofaste ledsager skrev Paulus' sidste formaning, en lille del af det citerer vi her: