2 Timothy 4:22

The closing benediction is peculiar being twofold, first -with thy spirit" and then -with you," i.e. -thee and thine."

The Lord Jesus Christ The ms. authority is in favour of -The Lord" alone. Observe how often this one brief name of his Saviour and Master has fallen from his pen in these closing paragraphs, taking the place of the full special title Christ Jesus (see 1 Timothy 1:1) used through the Pastorals; five times in the last fifteen verses, 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:22, is the -Master's" presence and aid claimed and acknowledged by one whose highest title of honour as an Apostle had been -the Lord's servant," -the Master's bond-slave." We are reminded of pious George Herbert, who at his induction to his sacred charge at Bemerton made his resolve and prayer that his humble and charitable life might so win upon others as to bring glory, he said, -to my Jesus whom I have this day taken to be my Master and Governor; and I am so proud of this service that I will always observe and obey and do His will; and always call Him Jesus my Master, and I will always contemn my birth, or any title or dignity that can be conferred upon me, when I shall compare them with my title of being a priest and serving at the altar of Jesus my Master"; and who could in his last hours of suffering answer his wife's anxious enquiry with the reassuring certainties of that Master's presence; -he had passed a conflict with his last enemy and had overcome him by the merits of his Master Jesus." Walton, Life of George Herbert.

The subscription has no sufficient authority; see note on subscription to 1st Epistle, p. 152. But its statements are in this case more nearly correct. See, as to Timothy's charge at Ephesus, Introduction, p. 66. For St Paul's appearances before Nero see note above, ch. 2 Timothy 4:16; and Introduction, p. 44.

The oldest ms. authority gives for subscription only second epistle to timothy.