“When you come, bring the cloak that is left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments” (2Tim 4:13).
There is an interesting historical parallel to Paul’s request for Timothy. William Tyndale, who translated the first New Testament printed in English, was imprisoned in Vilvorde Castle near Brussels before his execution in 1536. In the year preceding his death he wrote to the governor, begging for warmer clothing, a woolen shirt, and above all his Hebrew Bible, grammar, and dictionary.
The translated* text of the letter, his only letter that has survived from that period, reads as follows:
I believe, right worshipful sir, that you are not ignorant of what has been determined concerning me by the council; therefore, I entreat your lordship and that by the Lord Jesus, that if I am to remain here in prison during the winter, you will be kind enough to send me from my goods which he [the Procurer] has in his possession, a warmer cap, for I suffer extremely from cold in the head, being afflicted with a perpetual catarrh [generally, a nose and throat inflammation], which is considerable increased in this cell. A warmer coat also, for that which I have is very thin: also a piece ofcloth to patch my leggings: my overcoat is worn out; my shirts are also worn out. He had a woolen shirt of mine, if he will be kind enough to send it. I have also with him leggings of thicker cloth for putting on above; he also has warmer caps for wearing at night. I wish also his permission to have a lamp in the evening; for it is wearisome to sit alone in the dark. But above all, I entreat and beseech your clemency to be urgent with the Procurer that he may kindly permit me to have my Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Grammar, and Hebrew Dictionary, that I may spend my time with that study. And in return, may you obtain your dearest wish, provided always it be consistent with the salvation of your soul. But if, before the end of winter, a different decision be reached concerning me, I shall be patient, abiding the will of God to the glory of the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ, whose spirit, I pray, may ever direct your heart. Amen.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One