2 Timothy 4

Chap. IV. Ver. 1-22. Paul, ready to receive the crown of marlyrdom, entreats a visit from Timothy.—Timoth being fully qualified as an Evangelist, by the grace of Géd and a Ver. 2. In season, out of season—i. e. embrace every possible opportunity; “ whether seasonuble or unseasonable to thyself.” So Macknight. Ver. 3. Teachers, having itching ears.—Macknicht transposes the words 9 Sa ee ae ea = Lthak 5 the peugie] will gore gi ea c| ealculated to tick/e them with new and curious matter; namely fables and ag pe — as as ~ the Rabbies — ace aspen ebealn ‘ Ver. 5. Make full proof.—Doddridge, *‘ Accomplish.” y ministry.— To a person who regretted to Dr. Johnson, that he had not been a clergyman, because he considered the life of a clergyman an easy and comfortable one, luding to pouring wine, &e.

upon the head of the victim, before it was sacrificed. ‘The sense of both is the same as our version. — rs Ver. 7. I have fought a good fight, &c.—Macknignht, “1 have combeted the good combat; I have finished the race; 1 have preserved the faith. Dr. Adam Clarke cites, from Euripides, a case in which a wife died to redeem the life of ber husband when his parents had refused, and he reproaches them in these expressive words: “* Thou wouldest have fought a good fight, hads, thou died for thy son.” A: Ver. 8. A crowon of righteousness—i. e. a reward of righteousness. See (1 Corinthians 9:25), and note. 43 Ver. 19. Salute Prisca—Or “‘ Priscilla,” (Acts 18:2).—The hotsehold of Onesiphorus.—From Onesiphorus himself not being here mentioned, it may be reasonably supposed that he was with St.

Paul at Rome, ‘ Ver. 20. Erastus.—[As Timothy accompanied the apostle from Corinth to Jerusalem, through Macedonia, and probably to Miletus, before his first imprisonment at Rome, it would have been wholly superfluous to have informed CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE {Tur epistle was written to St. Paul’s most intimate friend, under the miseries of a jail, and with the near prospect of an ignominious death, which he suffered under the cruel and relentless Nero; and it is peculiarly valuable to the Christian church as oe} the best possible evidence of the truth and reality of our my religion, and affording a striking contrast between the persecuted, but confident and happy Christian, and the ferocious, abandoned, and profligate Roman.

The detestable Nero having set fire to Rome, on the loth of July, A. D. 64, endeavoured to remove the odium of that nefarious action, which was generally and ee to him, by charging it upon the Christians, who had become the objects of popular hatred on account of their religion; and in order to give a more plausible colour to this calumny, he caused them to be sought out, as if they had been the incendiaries, and put great numbers to death in the most barbarous and cruel manner. ‘‘Some,” says Tacitus, ‘were covered over with the skins of wild beasts, that they might be torn to pieces by dogs; some were crucified; while others, having been daubed over with combustible materials, were set up as lights in the night time, and thus burnt to death.

For these spectacles, Nero gave his own gardens, and, at the same time, exhibited there the diversions of the circus; sometimes standing in the crowd as a spectator, in the habit cf a charioteer, and at other times driving a chariot himself.” (See also Swetenius, in Vit. Nero. c. 16.) To these dreadful scenes Juvenal thus alludes: ‘ Describe a great villain, such as Tigellinus, (a corrupt minister under Nero,) and you shall suffer the same punishment with those who stand burning in their own flame and smoke, their head being held up by a stake fixed to a chain, till they make a long stream (of blood and sulphur) on the ground.” So also Martial in an epigram concerning the famous C. Mucius Scevola, who lost the use of his right hand by burning it in the presence of Porsenna, king of Etruria, whom he had attempted to assassinate: ‘‘ You have, perhaps, lately seen acted on (Or Titus, to whom this Epistle is addressed, and of whom St.

Paul speaks in terms of the highest approbation and most cordial affection in his Epistles, we know nothing more with certainty, than that he was a Greek by birth, and one of the Apostle’s early converts, who frequently attended him in his journeys. We have also no certain information when, or by whom, the Gospel was first preached in Crete; though it is probable that it was made known there at an early period, as there were Cretans present on the day of Pentecost, who, on their return home, might be the means of introducing it among their countrymen. Nor have we any account concerning St. Paul’s labours in that island, except the bare fact which may be inferred from this Epistle; though St. Luke mentions that he touched at the Fair Havens and Lasea in his voyage to Rome.

It is therefore inferred, that this event took place, and him of Erastus, if he had spoken of that voyage; and ‘Trophimus accompanied the apostle to Jerusalem, (Acts 20:4-16); xxi. 29.]—Bagster. Ver. 21. Claudia.—Dr. Henry, in his Eccles. Hist., supposes this to be the lady celebrated in two of Martial’s Epigrams; but Macknight thinks this insient with her age. Tradition states, that she first brought the gospel into Britain.. SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. the theatre, Mucius, who thrust his hand into the fire: if you think such a person patient, valiant, and stout, you are a senseless dotard. For it is a much greater thing, when threatened with the troublesome coat, to say, 1 not sacrifice, than to obey the command, Burn the hand.”

This troublesome coat, or shirt, was made like a sack, of paper or coarse linen cloth, either besmeared with pitch, wax, or sulphur, and similar combustible materials, or dipped in them; which was then put on the Christians, who, in order to be kept upright, the better to resemble a flaming toreh, had their chins severally fastened to stakes fixed in the ground. At the same period, many of the must illustrious senators of Rome were executed for the conspiracy of Lucan, Seneca, and Piso; many of whom met death with courage and et pee 1 though unblest with any certain hope of’ futurity. With the Christian alone was united purity OF menue amidst public licentiousness, and purity of heart amidst universal relaxation of principle; and with him only were found love and good will to all mankind, and a patience, and cheerfulness, and triumph in the hour of death, as infinitely superior to the stoical calmness of a Pagan, as the Christian martyr himself to the hero and the soldier.

Afler suen acenes as these was this Epistle written, probably, the last which St. Paul ever wrote; and, standing on the verge of eternity, full of God, and strongly anti- Pasir an eternul weight of glory, the venerable Apostle expressed the sublimest language of hope and exultation:—‘‘ | am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, 1 have finished my course, | have kept the faith. Henceforth there is aid up for mea crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.” (Chapter iv. 6—8.) Surely every rational being will be ready to exclaim, Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end be like his!”

]—Bag’ster. consequently this Epistle was written, subsequent to his first imprisonment at Rome, and pein to his second, about A. D. 64; which is considerably strengthened by the verbal harmony subsisting between this Epistle and the first Epistle to Timothy. The Apostle seems to have had very great success in his ay in that island; but, by some means, to have been hurried thence, before he could order the state of the churches in a regnlar manner. He therefore left Titus there to settle the churches in the several cities of the island, according to the apostolical plan. ‘Titus lived there till he was 94 years of age, and died, and was buried in that island. It was upon the occasion of Titus being thus left at Crete, that St.

Paul wrote this Epistle, to direct him in the proper discharge of his various and important dutiés. | — Bageter

Notes on the verses

I have always considered a clergyman as the father of a larger family than he is able to maintain. No, sir, I do not envy a clergyman’s life as an easy life, nor do I envy the clergyman who makes it an easy Ver. 6. I am now ready ‘to be offered. —So Doddridge; but Macknizht rounders it, “I am already poured out;” and others “1am poured upon,” al- Ver. ii. Take Marion e. a Mark: see age xii. 25. Paul and Mark 1 evidently now been reconciled. See (Acts 15:39). nee 13. The cloak.—Macknight, ‘Bag;” and others, portmanteau. The yord is variously used. “Ver. 17. Fully known. —Macknisht, “Fully (and boldly) declared.” The word literally signifies, ‘‘ might be carried with a — — 1 For what end Titus was left in Crete.

6 How they that are to be chosen ministers | A. D. cir.65. ought to be qualified. 11 The mouths of evil teachers to be stopped: 12 and what manner of men they be. AUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the * acknowledging: of the truth which * is after godliness; 3 But ‘ hath in due times manifested his word through * preaching, which is committed unto Chap. I. Ver. 1—16. for his conduct: the cha to have been a convert Paul, who here calls him his own son in the common faith; and pecs! mentions him, in his second epistle to the Gorinthians, with great affection. He often employed him either as his messenger to the churches, or his travelling companion.

He was with Paul and Barnabas, at Jerusalem, when some of CHapP. I. Ver. 2. Promised before the world bezan.—C (2 Timothy 1:9) Ver. 4. Titus, mine “Hi son.—S8o he calls Timothy, 1Tim & 2. Of the Paul’s affection to Titus: directions racter of the Cretans.—Titus appears from Gentilism by the ministry of St. Saviour; a 2Ti: b LTi.6. 4 To Titus, mine own son » after the common e or, For, d 1 Sa, 15.29 faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God e Mat.25.34 f 2 ‘Ti.1.10, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Sag Ro. l0.14, 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou 2 ‘Ti.2.2, appointed thee: 1 1 Ti3.2, 6 If any be ! blameless, the husband of one the Judaizing teachers urged it upon him to be cireumeised, but Paul would not allow it, ((Galatians 2:3-4),) though he eireumcised Timothy, his mother being a Jewess. Before writing this Epistle, the apgstle had been in Crete, (now called Candia,) with Titus and Apollos, whom he left there; and is said, at his writing of this Epistle, to have heen at Nicopolis, in Macedonia, at or near which city he designed to winter. Such is the statement in the subseription, which Perec with which he elsewhere speaks of Titus, see 2Cnr. ii, 13, vii. 6 13.