“The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.” (II Timothy 4:13)
We do not know what the books were about, and we can only form some guess as to what the parchments were. Paul had a few books which were left, perhaps wrapped up in the cloak, and Timothy was to be careful to bring them. Even an apostle must read. . .
He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books!
The apostle says to Timothy, and so he says to every preacher, ‘Give thyself unto reading.’
The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted; he who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves that he has no brains of his own.
Brethren, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. You need to read. . . study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. . . We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure is to be either reading or praying.… Paul cries, ‘Bring the books’—join in the cry.”
Spurgeon’s message underscores that even a divinely inspired apostle like Paul needed continual learning, a truth as vital for pastors as for our church family. His insistence on “give thyself unto reading” isn’t a suggestion—it’s a lifeline. Engaging with others’ insights, quoting them, and studying Scripture (the parchments) sharpens our minds and faith. If we neglect reading, we risk barrenness, as Spurgeon warns—unread and unquoted, we fade. This applies to all believers, not just preachers, urging us to trade idle time for prayer and study, echoing Paul’s cry, “Bring the books!”