2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4:1

I Charge thee therefore] Gr. testifie, or, denounce. This is my principall and chief charge of all.

before God and the Lord Jesus Christ] This deep kinde of charging Timothie, in so vehement and patheticall a manner, sheweth how urgent and important the matter is, how simply necessary diligent and constant preaching is in a Minister of the Gospel, and how fearfull his case is, if he fail in this dutie of his function.

judge of quick and dead] See 1 Corinthians 15:51. 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

2 Timothy 4:2

in season, out of season] Upon all occasions, with a holy importunitie. There is no contradiction in these commands, both may and ought to be done by a faithfull Minister of God, who preacheth in season, when God offereth him a fair opportunitie, and the hearers desire, Nehem. 8. 1. and call for the Word, and the argument he handleth, is seasonable for the time. Out of season, when a door of utterance is opened unto him, that he may preach, but his hearers are not willing to hear, either because they are ill affected to the Word, or distracted by other businesses, or they like not to hear such points touched or meddled with at such a time, when yet he knoweth it to be needfull for the health of their souls, to hear such doctrines handled, or duties prest.

exhort] Or, comfort.

2 Timothy 4:3

sound doctrine] Gr. wholesome. See 1 Timothy 1:10.

2 Timothy 4:4

ears] Gr. hearing.

2 Timothy 4:5

watch thou] Or, be sober. The wickednesse and falling away of the world ought to call faithfull Ministers to be so much the more carefull and vigilant; and so likewise the taking away of those who laboured with them before in that office. Vers. 6. John 1. 2. Col. 4. 17.

make full] Or, fulfill.

readie to be offered] To be sacrificed or Martyred. The word in the Originall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth properly libation, or a drink-offering; and he alludeth to the powring out of blood, or wine which was used in sacrifice, and seemeth withall to intimate the manner of death, wherewith he was to glorifie God, which was not by being offered as a holocaust by fire, as Polycarpe, and many others were, but by a death wherein his blood was shed or powred out, namely beheading.

departure] Gr. dissolution. See Philippians 1:23.

2 Timothy 4:7

fought a good sight] Gr. that good fight. See 1 Timothy 6:12.

I have finished my course] I am come to the period of my dayes; Vixi, & quem dederat cursum fortuna peregi. And in this metaphor he seemeth to allude to the manner of his whole life, which after his conversion was spent as it were, wholly in running from place to place, speedily to desperse the doctrine of the Gospel, and now he was come to the last Stage or Goal at Rome, where he was to receive his Garland, after the manner of those who ran for prizes, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.

kept the faith] The true doctrine of faith; or the gift of saving and justifying faith; or the faithfulnesse which he promised Christ in the discharge of his Apostleship. Revelation 2:10.

2 Timothy 4:8

a crown of righteousnesse] A reward of just and holy works, an incorruptible Crown of glory, which though it be a Crown of mercy, Psalms 103:4. and a gift of grace, Romans 6:23. yet he calleth it here a Crown of righteousnesse, which the righteous Judge shall give him the more fitly, to follow the metaphor taken from runners or wrestlers for prizes, at their solemne exercises or games in Greece, in which there were certain Judges appointed to observe those that proved masteries, and give just sentence on the Conquerours side, if he strove lawfully, and fairly wonne the prize. And the meaning of the Apostle is, that he had kept the laws of proving masteries, and so acquitted himself in running and wrestling, that he might justly expect the prize. Besides, eternall life may be rightly termed a Crown of righteousnesse, both ex parte Dei, who promiseth it to every one that overcometh, Revelation 2:10. & Revelation 3:21. and ex parte rei, because it is just and righteous with God to render unto them who have endured for his sake toylsome labours, painfull torments, and disgracefull reproaches, ease, joy and glory. 2 Thes. 1. 6, 7.

love his appearing] That they may see him in glory, who suffered so much for them in this world, and that they may receive from him their everlasting reward.

2 Timothy 4:10

loved this present world] Hath given over to tend on me in my affliction any longer, chusing rather to follow his worldly occasions, and provide for his own safety and profit.

2 Timothy 4:13

cloak that I left at Troas] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which some take for a riding Coate, or travelling Cloak, as if it were made by a transposition of letters, from the Latine penula; but the most ancient Syriac interpreter takes it for domum, or, repositorium scriptorion; and Hesychius a most exquisite Greek Grammarian inclineth to that opinion, that by it the Apostle meant scriniolum, a little Desk or Coffer, wherein he laid his books or writings.

2 Timothy 4:14

Alexander the Copper-smith] Covetousnesse is the bane of religion. Two of the greatest enemies Saint Paul had, were two Smithes, the one a Silver-smith, Acts 19:24. and this Copper-smith here, and both of them, as it is conceived, maligned and opposed him, and his preaching for the same reason, because the Apostle taught they were no Gods that were made with hands, and thereby hindered their gain, and marred their Handicraft, which was to make silver, or Copper Shrines, or Images to the Heathen gods and goddesses.

the Lord reward him] Gr. Tec. shall reward him. This is not a curse, proceeding from anger, or a revengefull heart, which is contrary to the doctrine of Christ, Matthew 5:44. and of Saint Paul himself, Romans 12:14. but a Propheticall commination out of a godly zeal, and a prediction inspired by the holy Ghost of the punishment which was ready to be executed upon him. See Psalms 5:10. & Psalms 109:7. & deinceps. With this interpretation agreeth the Greek Copie of, of great Antiquity, written, as it is supposed by Tecla, wherein the Verb is not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Lord reward, but the Lord shall or will reward him according to his works.

2 Timothy 4:15

our words] Or, our preachings.

2 Timothy 4:16

answer] Gr. apologie, or, defence of my self.

that it may not be laid to their charge] It is not sufficient for us to maintain the truth our selves, but we must assist them who stand up for the truth, and not timorously shrink from them when they are in trouble for it.

2 Timothy 4:17

stood with me] Gr. by me, or, assisted me.

mouth of the lion] Out of great and imminent danger of death. Some by the Lion understand the Emperour Nero, so called for his rage and crueltie; as generally Tyrants and powerfull enemies of the Church are called Ezekiel 19:2. Psalms 35:17. & Psalms 91:13. Proverbs 28:15. Jerem. 2. 15. & 4. 7. And Marsyas certifying his Patron at Rome of the death of Tiberius, useth this phrase, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Lion is dead. Josephus antiqu. l. 18. c. 6.

2 Timothy 4:18

every evill work] From forsaking or wronging the truth, or doing any thing out of cowardly fear that may blemish this my holy profession.

2 Timothy 4:20

at] Gr. in.