Bible Commentaries

In this chapter, I. Paul with great solemnity and earnestness presses Timothy to the diligent and conscientious discharge of his work and office as an evangelist; and the charge given to him all gospel ministers are to take to themselves, 2Ti 4:1-5. II. The reason of his concern in this case, Why must Timothy now be instant in season, etc., in a particular manner? Because the church was likely to be deprived of the apostle's labours, for his departure was at hand, 2Ti 4:6-8. III. Divers particular matters, with a hint and caution, about Alexander the coppersmith, 2Ti 4:9-15. IV. He informs him of what befel him at his first answer; though men forsook him, the Lord stood by him, and this encouraged him to hope for future deliverance (2Ti 4:16-18) And then he concludes with salutations and a benediction, 2Ti 4:19-22.

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 4:1-5. The particular reason given for this charge was, that the time was approaching when men would not endure sound doctrine, but would turn away from the truth. Hence, Timothy is exhorted to be faithful in his work, and to be prepared to endure the trials which, in such circumstances, a faithful minister must be expected to meet.

2. A statement of Paul that his own work was nearly done, and that the hour of his departure drew near; 2 Timothy 4:6-8. This statement, also, seems to be made in order to excite Timothy to increased fidelity in the ministry. His teacher, guide, father, and friend, was about to be withdrawn, and the great work of preaching was to be committed to other hands. Hence, in view of his own departure, Paul exhorts Timothy to fidelity when he himself should be removed.

3. An exhortation to Timothy to come to him as soon as practicable; 2 Timothy 4:9-15. Paul was then in bonds, and was expecting soon to die. He was alone. For various reasons, those who had been with him had left him, and he needed some companion and friend. He, therefore, exhorts Timothy to come to him as soon as possible.

4. Paul refers now to his first trial before the emperor, and to the fact that then no one stood by him; 2 Timothy 4:16-19. The reason of his referring to this seems to be, to induce Timothy to come to him in view of his anticipated second trial. The Lord, he says, then stood by him, and he had confidence that he would continue to do it; yet who is there that does not feel it desirable to have some dear earthly friend to be with him when he dies?

5. The Epistle is closed, in the usual manner, with various salutations, and with the benediction; 2 Timothy 4:19-22.

The apostle charges Timothy to be diligent, incessant, and faithful in his preaching; to watch, suffer patiently, and give full proof of his ministry, 2 Timothy 4:1-5. He predicts his own approaching death, and expresses the strongest confidence of being eternally happy, 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Desires Timothy to come and see him; shows that several had forsaken him, that others were gone to different districts, and that he had only Luke with him, 2 Timothy 4:9-12. Desires him to bring the cloak, book, and parchments, which he had left at Troas, 2 Timothy 4:13. Of Alexander the coppersmith's opposition, 2 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:15. Tells Timothy how he was deserted by all when obliged to make his first defense before Nero; how God supported him, and the confidence with which he was inspired, 2 Timothy 4:16-18. Salutations to different persons at Ephesus, and from different persons at Rome, 2 Timothy 4:19-21. The apostolical benediction, 2 Timothy 4:22.

INTRODUCTION TO 2 Timothy 4

In this chapter the apostle charges Timothy to perform his office as an evangelist with great diligence, constancy, and faithfulness, with reasons for it; gives some hints of several particular persons mentioned, which made him very desirous that Timothy would come quickly to him; relates how things were with him when he made his first defence at Rome; and concludes the epistle with salutations, and his usual blessing. The charge is made in the most solemn manner in the sight of God; and of Christ, as Judge of quick and dead; and directs to the several parts of the ministerial work, and the manner in which they should be performed, 2 Timothy 4:1. The reason of which charge is, because the time was hastening on that sound doctrine would not be endured, and men would depart from the truth to fables and false teachers, 2 Timothy 4:3. Wherefore the apostle repeats his charge and exhortation to Timothy, though in other words, to be vigilant, patient, courageous, and faithful in the discharge of his office, 2 Timothy 4:5 adding a fresh reason moving to it, taken from the apostle's death being at hand; which is expressed by a sacrifice, and by a departure out of the world, 2 Timothy 4:6 which leads him to give an account of his past conduct in fighting the good fight, finishing his course, and keeping the faith, 2 Timothy 4:7 and of his firm belief of eternal glory and happiness, 2 Timothy 4:8 and next he desires Timothy to use all diligence to come quickly to him, 2 Timothy 4:9 his reasons for which were, because he had scarce anybody with him: one had forsook him through love of the world; another was gone to Thessalonica; a third to Galatia, and a fourth to Dalmatia; only Luke the evangelist was with him; and as for Tychicus, he had sent him to Ephesus: he therefore desires he would bring Mark with him, and his cloak, books, and parchments he had left at Troas, 2 Timothy 4:10 and then takes notice of persons that had used him ill, particularly Alexander the coppersmith; he wishes justice might be done him; and advises Timothy to beware of him, because of his opposition to the doctrines of the Gospel, 2 Timothy 4:14 and also of others that neglected him, who forsook him when he defended himself: however, he prays that this might not be charged upon them; and observes the goodness of God in standing by him and delivering him; and expresses his faith and confidence that he should be delivered and preserved safe to eternal glory, 2 Timothy 4:16 and next follow the apostle's salutations of some persons at Ephesus, and an account of two others, one at Corinth, and another at Miletum; and a repetition of his request to Timothy, to come quickly to him, and before winter; and then some salutations of persons at Rome, sent by Timothy; and the whole is concluded with the apostle's usual benediction, 2 Timothy 4:19.

Ch. 4. Apostolic Succession and Fellowship

CHAPTER 4

2 Timothy 4:1. διαμαρτύρομαι] The words οὖν ἐγώ following this in the Rec. were omitted from the text by Griesb., on the authority of A C D* E F G L א 17, al., Syr. Erp. Copt. etc.

The same is the case with the words τοῦ κυρίου, against which there is the testimony of A C D* F G א 31, 37, al.

For κρίνειν the aorist κρῖναι is found in F G, several cursives, Theodoret, and Theoph.; this construction does occur sometimes in the N. T. (also in classic Greek), but there is not sufficient authority for it here.

κατὰ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν] For κατά (Rec. after D*** E K L, etc.), καί is the reading of A C D* F G א 17, al., Copt. Vulg. ms. It. Harl. etc. This reading, as it implies a change of construction in the verb, and even then makes the connection difficult, is of a kind which would easily give occasion for correction; the easiest correction was into κατά. Chrysostom in his commentary reads: ἐν τῇ ἐπιφανείᾳ. Lachm. Buttm. Tisch. rightly adopted καί, which is approved also by Matthies, de Wette, Wiesinger, and van Oosterzee. Reiche, on the other hand, because of the difficulty of the reading καί, regards the Rec. as the original reading, while he connects κατά with μέλλοντας κρίνειν as a preposition of time.—2 Timothy 4:2. Tisch. 7 reads ἐπιτίμησον, παρακάλεσον, with the majority of the authorities; whereas Tisch. 8 reads παρακάλεσον, ἐπιτίμησον. The placing of ἐπιτίμησον first may be a correction, because this word is related in meaning to the previous ἔλεγξον.—2 Timothy 4:3. τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας] adopted by Griesb. in place of τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τὰς ἰδίας, on the authority of A C D E F G א 3, 37, al., Arm. Vulg. etc.—2 Timothy 4:6. Instead of τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως, which is the Rec. supported by D E K L, al. (Tisch. 7), it is more correct, with Lachm. Buttm. and Tisch. 8, to read τῆς ἀναλύσεώς μου, on the authority of A C F G א, al.—2 Timothy 4:7. For τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλόν (Tisch. 7), Lachm. Buttm. Tisch. 8, on the authority of A C F G א, al., adopted τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα, which is certainly in harmony with the usage of the Pastoral Epistles, but for that very reason may be a correction.—2 Timothy 4:10. For the Rec. ἐγκατέλιπεν (D* K א, etc.), Tisch. 7 adopted the imperfect ἐγκατέλειπεν, on the authority of A C D** and *** E F G L, etc.; Tisch. 8 retained the Rec., which is supported by D* K א, etc.

In C א, several cursives, and Fathers, Γαλίαν is found instead of the Rec. Γαλατίαν; Epiph. Haer. 57, dis. says: οὐ γὰρ ἐν Γαλατίᾳ, ὡς τίνες πλανηθέντες νομίζουσιν, ἀλλὰ ἐν τῇ Γαλίᾳ; of this reading Reiche says: est utique notatu digna; … me cum Bengelio in hanc lectionem inclinare sentio. But the MSS. almost all support the Rec.; and it cannot be inferred from the name Κρήακης (Crescens) that this man was sent more probably to Gaul, where Latin was in use, than to Galatia, where Greek was spoken (Reiche); it is too rash, therefore, to regard this as the original reading. Tisch. 8, however, adopted it, whereas Tisch. 7 does not even mention it; Hofmann thinks it the correct reading.—2 Timothy 4:11. For ἄγε, Lachm. Buttm. and Tisch. 7 read the form ἄγαγε, which, however, does not seem to have sufficient testimony in A 31, 58, etc.; Tisch. 8 retained the Rec., with the support of almost all authorities.—2 Timothy 4:13. For φελόνην are found also the forms φαιλώνην, φαιλόνην, φελώνην; but φελόνην is best supported. While Tisch. 7 adopted the imperfect ἀπέλειπον, on the authority of A C F G, etc., Tisch. 8 read the aorist ἀπέλεπον (Rec.), on the authority of D E K א, al.; so, too, Lachm. and Buttm.—2 Timothy 4:14. ἀποδώσει] This is rightly read by Scholz, Lachm. Buttm. Tisch. 8, on the authority of A C D* gr. E F G א 6, 17, al., Copt. Arm. etc., Chrys. Theodoret, instead of ἀποδώῃ, which has the support of D*** E** K L, etc., Tisch. 7, Reiche.—2 Timothy 4:15. ἀνθέστηχε] Lachm. Buttm. Tisch. 8 rightly read ἀντέστη, on the authority of A C D* F G א, al.; Tisch. 7 read ἀνθέστηχεν, on the authority of D*** E K L, etc.—2 Timothy 4:16. συμπαρεγένετο] Following A C F G א 17, al., Lachm. Buttm. Tisch. 8 adopted the simple παρεγένετο;—no doubt the compound συμπαραγ. (Tisch. 7) occurs seldom in the N. T., being found elsewhere only in Luke 23:48; but it seems nevertheless to be a correction made on account of μοι. Here, too, the readings vary between the imperfect ἐγκατέλεπον (Rec.) and the aorist ἐγκατέλιπον; Tisch. 7 has the former, Tisch. 8 the latter; comp. 2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:13.—2 Timothy 4:17. Instead of the singular ἀκούσῃ, Lachm. Buttm. and Tisch. rightly read the plural ἀχούσωσι, supported by A C D E F G א 17, 39, al.—2 Timothy 4:18. Καί at the beginning of the verse was rightly omitted by Lachm. Buttm. and Tisch., on the authority of A C D* א 31, al., versions, Fathers; it was inserted to connect this verse with the preceding one.—2 Timothy 4:20. Μιλήτῳ] For this A has Μηλωτῷ, and Arab. Μελίτῃ.—2 Timothy 4:22. For the Rec. ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός (C D E K L), Lachm. and Buttm. have ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς (A 31), Tisch. only ὁ κύριος (F G 17, etc.). Lachmann’s reading should perhaps have the preference, as it is the one most open to correction.

ἀμήν was omitted by Griesb. as a later addition.

2Ti 4:1-22.

SOLEMN CHARGE TO TIMOTHY TO DO HIS DUTY ZEALOUSLY, FOR TIMES OF APOSTASY ARE AT HAND, AND THE APOSTLE IS NEAR HIS TRIUMPHANT END: REQUESTS HIM TO COME AND BRING MARK WITH HIM TO ROME, AS LUKE ALONE IS WITH HIM, THE OTHERS HAVING GONE: ALSO HIS CLOAK AND PARCHMENTS: WARNS HIM AGAINST ALEXANDER: TELLS WHAT BEFELL HIM AT HIS FIRST DEFENSE: GREETINGS: BENEDICTION.

1. charge--Greek, "adjure."

therefore--omitted in the oldest manuscripts.

the Lord Jesus Christ--The oldest manuscripts read simply, "Christ Jesus."

shall judge--His commission from God is mentioned,

Ac 10:42;

his resolution to do so,

1Pe 4:5;

the execution of his commission, here.

at his appearing--The oldest manuscripts read, "and" for "at"; then translate, "(I charge thee before God . . . ) and by His appearing."

and his kingdom--to be set at His appearing, when we hope to reign with Him. His kingdom is real now, but not visible. It shall then be both real and visible

(Lu 22:18, 30; Re 1:7; 11:15; 19:6).

Now he reigns in the midst of His enemies expecting till they shall be overthrown

(Ps 110:2; Heb 10:13).

Then He shall reign with His adversaries prostrate.