1Paul giveth Timothy a solemn charge to do his duty with all care and diligence; 6certifieth him of his approaching end, and of the glorious prospect he had in view. 9He desireth him to hasten his coming, and to bring Mark with him, and certain other things: 14warneth him to beware of Alexander: 16informeth him what had befallen him at his first apology: 19and concludeth with salutations, and a benediction.
1 Ia CHARGE1thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall 2judge 3the quick and 4the dead 5at his appearing and 6his kingdom;
a Rom. 1:9; 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:23; 11:31; Gal. 1:20; Philip. 1:8; 1 Thes. 2:5; 1 Tim. 5:21; 6:13.
1 That is, I entreat, exhort thee for the sake of God, or, I adjure thee before God, that is, I take God as a Witness that I seriously exhort thee. See likewise, 1 Tim. 5:21.
2 He sets the last judgment before him, that he and we all may be stirred up to faithfulness in our ministry, as we must then give an account of the same. See 2 Cor. 5:10, 11.
3 That is, who shall then be found alive, when Christ shall come to judgment. See 1 Cor. 15:51; 1 Thes. 4:16, 17.
4 That is, who shall have previously passed away, and be raised up again, John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:12.
5 Namely, in the clouds, to judge with His angels and with the glory of His Father.
6 Namely, of glory.
27Preach 8the word; 9be instant 10in season, 11out of season; 12reprove, 13rebuke, 14exhort 15with all longsuffering and 16doctrine.
7 This word signifies properly: to proclaim anything with a loud voice, as criers do. See Isa. 40:9.
8 Namely, of the Gospel.
9 Gr. insist, namely, with continual teaching and exhorting.
10 That is, when there is good opportunity for it, without neglecting it, Prov. 25:11.
11 Thereby Paul does not mean to say that Timothy and other preachers would use incivility, but that they must hold on continually and zealously, without neglecting any time or opportunity, although it is not so suitable for themselves, or sometimes the hearers also would think that it is not very convenient for them to hear exhortations.
12 Namely, the errors of those who yet do not know, or do not assent to the truth.
13 Namely, those who are of evil and disorderly life.
14 Namely, to the practice of all christian virtues; or, comfort, namely, all weak and afflicted persons.
15 That is, without harshness or bitterness, enduring patiently the ignorance and indiscretion of the people. See Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:24.
16 That is, so that the main points of doctrine may always be propounded clearly and expressly.
3For the time will come when they will not 17endure 18sound doctrine; but 19after their own lusts shall they 20heap to themselves teachers, having 21itching ears;
17 That is, not only not receive, but also will not suffer the same to be propounded to them.
18 Namely, of the Holy Gospel. See 2 Tim. 1:13.
19 That is, who promote a doctrine agreeing with their sinful lusts.
20 Or, gather up, that is, set up and choose one after another, who may teach them something new.
21 That is, having a heart and ears that itch after something that is new and strange.
4And they shall turn away 22their ears 23from the truth, and shall be turned unto 24fables.
22 That is, they will not hear.
23 That is, from the pure and true doctrine of the Gospel.
24 Of these fables, see 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16.
5But 25watch thou in all things, 26endure afflictions, do the work 27of an evangelist, make 28full proof of thy ministry.
25 Or, be sober; namely, not only in respect of the body, but most importantly in respect of the soul.
26 Gr. suffer the evil, as 2 Tim. 2:3, 9.
27 That is, of a faithful teacher of the Holy Gospel. See of the office of an evangelist, Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11.
28 That is, carry yourself with such diligence and faithfulness in the ministry, which everyone may see and be assured that you are a sincere teacher, who administers and accomplishes well all parts of his office, and thereby be more and more confirmed in the truth. See verse 17.
6Forb I 29am now ready to be 30offered, and the time of my 31departure is at hand.
b 2 Peter 1:14.
29 That is, shall now be speedily offered or put to death. This the apostle knew either by a special revelation, or by observation of the condition and circumstances of his affairs. See the like 2 Peter 1:14.
30 See hereof the annotation at Philip. 2 on verse 17.
31 Or, release, changing of house. Thus he calls his death, as also Philip. 1:23. See the annotation there.
7I have fought 32a good fight, I have 33finished my course, I have kept 34the faith:
32 This apostle compares the course of his ministry and life to a fight or contest, which in former times was assigned by running, wrestling and otherwise, to get thereby a prize or crown. See of the same similitude, 1 Cor. 9:24, 25; 2 Tim. 2:5.
33 Namely, seeing I am now come to the last phase and end of my life.
34 Thereby is understood the saving faith, and the faithfulness which he had promised Christ in the ministration of the apostleship.
8Henceforthc there is laid up for me 35a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall 36give me 37at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also 38that love 39his appearing.
c 1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Peter 5:4.
35 That is, eternal life, with which the righteous or the justified are crowned, as it were, with a prize according to God’s gracious promise. A similitude taken from fighters or combatants, who, for a prize, received a crown, when they had contended lawfully. See 1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 2:5; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10; 3:11.
36 Gr. render; namely, for a gracious recompense.
37 Namely, of my dissolution, and fully in the day of the last judgment, as 1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; 2 Tim. 1:12, 18.
38 That is, who, being conscious of their uprightness, have longed after the same, with assurance and confidence that then they shall not be condemned, but shall receive the crown of life.
39 See verse 1.
9Do thy diligence to come 40shortly unto me:
40 That is, yet before winter, verse 21.
10For Demasd41hath forsaken me, having loved this present 42world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto 43Dalmatia.
d Col. 4:14; Philemon verse 24.
41 That is, departed from here, leaving the ministry which he performed here with me in preaching. See Philemon verse 24.
42 Gr. age, that is, seeking the ease of this life to avoid labor and peril, or, to take care of his temporal business; from which then it does not follow that he totally fell away from the faith.
43 This region is a part of Illyricum, bordering eastward on Macedonia, and west and southwards on the Adriatic Sea.
11Only 44Lukee is with me. Take 45Mark,f and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me 46for the ministry.
44 See of him, Col. 4:14 and Philemon verse 24.
e Col. 4:14.
45 This was Barnabas’ nephew, Col. 4:10, named John, and surnamed Mark, Acts 12:12, 25; 15:39. See concerning him, also in Philemon verse 24; 1 Peter 5:13.
f Acts 15:37; Col. 4:10; Philemon verse 24.
46 Namely, of the Gospel, and not so much to serve me in particular.
12Andg47Tychicus have I sent to 48Ephesus.
g Acts 20:4; Col. 4:7.
47 See of him, Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; Titus 3:12.
48 Namely, to take care of that church in your stead.
13The 49cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and 50the books, but especially 51the parchments.h
49 Gr. phelonen. Lat. penulam; which was a cloak to make use of in traveling against rain and cold. Some understand by it a small suitcase to put books in.
50 Namely, of the Holy Scripture, or others, treating about God’s Word.
51 Gr. membranas; a Latin word signifying certain thin skins of animals, prepared to write upon, called by us parchments, because they were first found and prepared in the city Pergamus.
h scrolls made of animal skins
1452Alexanderi53the coppersmith did me 54much evil: 55the Lord reward him according to his works:
52 Of him, see 1 Tim. 1:20.
i 1 Tim. 1:20.
53 Or, beater of copper.
54 Namely, by reproaching and opposing the sound doctrine, as is declared in verse 15.
55 This is no cursing proceeding from a revengeful heart, contrary to the doctrine of Christ, Mat. 5:44, and also of Paul himself, Rom. 12:14, but a prophetical threatening out of a godly zeal to God’s glory, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, of the punishment which was approaching him, seeing he showed himself to be altogether impenitent and hardened. See the like, Neh. 4:4, etc.; Psalm 5:10.
1556Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
56 Namely, that he also does not do to you similar evil, nor do the congregation any hurt.
16At my 57first answer 58no man stood 59with me, but all men 60forsook me: I pray God 61that it may not be laid to their charge.
57 Namely, made before the Emperor Nero.
58 Namely, of my fellowhelpers in the ministry of the Word, or, who were wont to follow and accompany me. It seems that he excludes Luke, verse 11. If Peter were then at Rome, as is pretended, it would have been a great shame for him, which is not credible.
59 Namely, to help me with counsel, intercession, testimony or otherwise.
60 That is, left alone, unaccompanied.
61 Seeing they had done this out of weakness and fear of danger, he prays to God for them, whereas before, he prayed against willful and obdurate Alexander, verse 14. See similarly in Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60.
17Notwithstanding the Lord 62stood with me, and 63strengthened me; 64that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that 65all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered 66out of the mouth of the lion.
62 Namely, with the grace of His Spirit, as He has promised, Luke 21:14, 15. Or, stood by me, as Acts 27:23, and comforted and strengthened me.
63 Namely, with wisdom, prudence and courage.
64 Or, that by me the preaching might be fulfilled. See verse 5.
65 That is, that I might yet have time and opportunity to spread further abroad the Gospel among the Gentiles, whose apostle I am, Rom. 11:13.
66 That is, out of a great and present danger of death, compared to those who are already fallen into the mouth and jaws of a fierce lion, Psalm 22:21; 58:6. Others understand by the lion the Emperor Nero, who is so called because of his cruelty, as tyrants and the enemies of the church are everywhere, Psalm 35:17; 91:13; Prov. 28:15; Jer. 2:15; 4:7. So Christ calls king Herod a fox, because of his craftiness, Luke 13:32.
18And the Lord 67shall deliver me 68from every evil work, and will preserve me 69unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory 70for ever and ever. Amen.
67 That is, I am assured of it by His promises, Psalm 34:19; 41:2; 55:22.
68 That is, from denying or weakening of the truth, and from doubting His help.
69 That is, until finally He shall give it me.
70 Gr. unto eternities of eternities.
19Salute 71Priscaj and Aquila, and the household of 72Onesiphorus.
71 See of them, Acts 18:2; Rom. 16:3.
j Acts 18:2; Rom. 16:3.
72 See of him, 2 Tim. 1:16.
2073Erastus abode at Corinth: but 74Trophimus have I left at 75Miletum sick.
73 See of him, Acts 19:22; Rom. 16:23.
74 See of him, Acts 20:4 and 21:29.
75 See of this city, Acts 20:15, 17.
21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be 76with thy spirit. Grace be with 77you. Amen.
76 That is, grant thee His grace, especially in respect of thy soul.
77That is, not only with thee Timothy, but also with all believers at Ephesus.