The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring with you, and the books, but especially the parchments.
All Commentaries on 2 Timothy 4:13 Go To 2 Timothy 4
John Chrysostom
AD 407
The word here translated cloak may mean a garment, or, as some say, a bag, in which the books were contained. But what had he to do with books, who was about to depart and go to God? He needed them much, that he might deposit them in the hands of the faithful, who would retain them in place of his own teaching. All the faithful, then, would suffer a great blow, but particularly those who were present at his death, and then enjoyed his society. But the cloak he requires, that he might not be obliged to receive one from another. For we see him making a great point of avoiding this; and elsewhere, when he was addressing those from Ephesus, he says, You know that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to those that were with me Acts 20:34-35; and again, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
