This chapter, 2 Timothy 4, comprises the following subjects: 1. A solemn charge to Timothy, to be faithful in preaching the gospel, and in the whole work of the ministry, 2 Timothy 4:1. The particular reason given for this charge was, that the time was approaching when men would not endure sound do... [ Continue Reading ]
I CHARGE THEE THEREFORE BEFORE GOD - See the notes on 1 Timothy 5:21. WHO SHALL JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD - That is, the Lord Jesus; for he is to be the judge of men; Matthew 25:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10. The word “quick” means “living” (See the Acts 10:42 note; Ephesians 2:1 note); and the idea is,... [ Continue Reading ]
PREACH THE WORD - The Word of God; the gospel. This was to be the main business of the life of Timothy, and Paul solemnly charges him in view of the certain coming of the Redeemer to judgment, to be faithful in the performance of it. BE INSTANT - see the notes at Romans 12:12. The meaning here is,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TIME WILL COME ... - Probably referring to the time mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1, following. WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE - Greek, “healthful doctrine;” i. e., doctrine contributing to the health of the soul, or to salvation. At that time they would seek a kind of instruction more... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH - That is, the people themselves will turn away from the truth. It does not mean that the teachers would turn them away by the influence of their instructions. AND SHALL BE TURNED UNTO FABLES; - See the notes at 1 Timothy 1:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS - Be vigilant against error and against sin, and faithful in the performance of duty; See the Matthew 25:13 note; 1 Corinthians 16:13 note. ENDURE AFFLICTIONS - See the notes at 2 Timothy 2:3. The Greek word here is the same which is there rendered “endure hardness.” DO... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM NOW READY TO BE OFFERED - This conviction of the apostle that he was about to die, is urged as a reason why Timothy should be laborious and faithful in the performance of the duties of his office. His own work was nearly done. He was soon to be withdrawn from the earth, and whatever benefit... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT - The Christian life is often represented as a conflict, or warfare; see the notes on 1 Timothy 6:12. That noble conflict with sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil, Paul now says he had been able to maintain. I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE - The Christian life, too, is oft... [ Continue Reading ]
HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME - At the end of my race, as there was a crown in reserve for those who had successfully striven in the Grecian games; compare the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:25. The word “henceforth” - λοιπὸν loipon - means “what remains, or as to the rest;” and the idea is, that th... [ Continue Reading ]
DO THY DILIGENCE TO COME SHORTLY UNTO ME - As soon as possible. Timothy had been Paul’s traveling companion, and was his intimate friend. The apostle was now nearly forsaken, and was about to pass through severe trials. It is not certainly known for what purpose he wished him to come to him, but per... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR DEMAS HATH FORSAKEN ME - Demas is honorably mentioned in Colossians 4:14; but nothing more is known of him than what can be gathered from that place and this - that he was at first a friend and fellow-laborer of Paul, but that, under the influence of a desire to live, he afterward forsook him, e... [ Continue Reading ]
ONLY LUKE IS WITH ME - Luke, the author of the gospel which bears his name, and of the Acts of the Apostles. For a considerable part of the ministry of Paul, he was his traveling companion (compare the notes on Acts 16:10), and we know that he went with him to Rome; Acts 27:1. TAKE MARK - John Mark,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TYCHICUS - See Acts 20:4. In Ephesians 6:21, Paul calls him “a beloved brother, and faithful minister in the Lord.” But it may be asked why he did not retain him with him, or why should he have sent him away, and then call Timothy to him? The probability is, that he had sent him before he had se... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLOAK THAT I LEFT AT TROAS - On the situation of Troas, see the notes on Acts 16:8. It was not on the most direct route from Ephesus to Rome, but was a route frequently taken. See also the introduction, section 2. In regard to what the “cloak” here mentioned was, there has been considerable diff... [ Continue Reading ]
ALEXANDER THE COPPERSMITH - Or, rather, “the brazier” - ὁ χαλκεύς ho chalkeus. The word is used, however, to denote a worker in any kind of metals. This is probably the same person who is mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20, and perhaps the same as the one mentioned in Acts 19:33; see the notes on 1 Timot... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHOM BE THOU WARE ALSO - It would seem from this that Alexander was still a public teacher, and that his discourses were plausible and artful. The best and the wisest of men need to be on their guard against the efforts of the advocates of error. FOR HE HATH GREATLY WITHSTOOD OUR WORDS - Margin,... [ Continue Reading ]
AT MY FIRST ANSWER - Greek, “apology (ἀπολογία apologia), plea, or defense.” This evidently refers to some trial which he had had before the Roman emperor. He speaks of a first trial of this kind; but whether it was on some former occasion, and he had been released and permitted again to go abroad... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTWITHSTANDING THE LORD STOOD WITH ME - Though all “men” forsook me, yet “God” did not. This expresses a universal truth in regard to the faithfulness of God; see Psalms 27:10; compare Job 5:17; Isaiah 14:1. THAT BY ME THE PREACHING MIGHT BE FULLY KNOWN - The word “preaching,” here probably means “... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SHALL DELIVER ME FROM EVERY EVIL WORK - He does not say from “death,” for he expected now to die; see 2 Timothy 4:6. But he was assured that God would keep him from shrinking from death when the hour approached; from apostasy, and from the manifestation of an improper spirit when he cam... [ Continue Reading ]
SALUTE PRISCA AND AQUILA - Prisca, or Priscilla, was the wife of Aquila, though her name is sometimes mentioned first. In regard to their history, see the notes at Romans 16:3. They were at Rome when Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans, but afterward went into Asia Minor, which was the native place... [ Continue Reading ]
ERASTUS - see the notes on Romans 16:23. ABODE AT CORINTH - This was his home, where he filled an important office; see the notes at Romans 16:23. It would seem that when Paul went to Rome, there was some expectation that he would accompany him, but that reasons had occurred for his remaining in Co... [ Continue Reading ]
DO THY DILIGENCE; - 2 Timothy 4:9. TO COME BEFORE WINTER - Probably because of the dangers of the navigation then, and because the circumstances of the apostle were such as to demand the presence of a friend. EUBULUS, ... - These names are of common occurrence in the works of the classic writers,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH THY SPIRIT; - see Galatians 6:18; Romans 15:20. The subscription to this Epistle was not added by Paul himself, nor is there any evidence that it was by an inspired man, and it is of no authority. There is not the slightest evidence that Timothy was “ordained the first... [ Continue Reading ]