2 Timothy 4

Paul again exhorts Timothy with great earnestness continually and faithfully to consider his office in all parts 3 showing how needful it is because of the wickedness of men in future times 6 foretells that he shall shortly be put to death 7 and comforts himself with a good conscience and with the reward which he and all the faithful expect from the Lord 9 exhorts him also to come unto him seeing some had forsaken him 13 with his traveling cloak and books 14 warns him of Alexander a copper-smith who had done him much evil 16 complains of the brethren that they had forsaken him in his first defense 17 but that the Lord stood by him and delivered him from that time hence forward 19 and commanding him to salute diverse 22 he concludeth this epistle with usual salutation.

1. I testify therefore before God [that is entreat exhort thee for God sake I adhere thee before God that is I take God to witness that I seriously exhort thee see the like 1Timothy 5.21]and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge ]he sets the last judgment before him that he and we all must be stirred up all to faithfulness in our administration as who must then give account of the same see 2 Corinthians 5:10,11 ] the quick[that is who shall found alive when Christ shall come to judgment see 1 Corinthians 1Corinthians 15.51 1Thessalonians 4 verse 16,17]and dead [that is who shall be dead before and raised up again job 5verse 28,29 Revelations 20. 12] in his appearing [namely in the clouds with the angels and with the glory of his father to judgment]and in his kingdom [namely of glory.]

2. Preach [this word signifies properly to publish anything with a loud voice as criers do see Isaiah 40:9] the word [namely of the gospel] be instant [Gr stand on namely with continual teaching and exhorting]in season [thereby Paul meanest not that Timothy and other preachers should use incivility but that they must hold on continuously and zealously without neglecting any time or opportunity although it be not so fit for themselves or sometimes also the hearers should think that it is not so convenient for them to hear exhortations] confute[namely the errors of those that yet know not or assent not to the truth]reprove [namely those that are of evil or disorderly life] exhort[namely to the practice of many Christians virtues or comfort namely weak and dejected persons] in all long suffering [that is without harshness or bitterness enduring patiently the ignorance and indiscretion of men see Galatians 6:1, 2Timothy2.24] doctrine [that is so that the chief points of doctrine may always be clearly and expressly propounded]

3. For they will be a time when they will endure [that is not only receive but they will not suffer the same to be propounded to them]the sound doctrine [namely of the holy gospel see chapter 1.13]but being ticklish of hearing [that is having a heart and ears that itch after somewhat that is new and strange]they shall gather up teachers to themselves or hear up that is set up or chose up one after another who may teach them something new ]according to their own lusts [that is who propound a doctrine agreeing with their sinful lusts.]

4. And shall turn away their hearing [that is they will not hear] from the truth [that is from the pure and true doctrine of the gospel]and shall turn themselves unto sables [of these fables see 1Timothy 1.4 and chapter 4.7 Titus 1:14 2Peter 1.16]

5. But be thou vigilant in all things [or sober namely not only in respect of the body but chiefly in respect of the soul]suffer afflictions [Gr suffer the evil as chapter 2 verse 3, 9]do the work of an evangelist [that is of a faithful teacher of the holy gospel see of the office of an evangelist Acts 4:8 Ephesians 4:11]cause men to be fully assured of thy ministry [that is carry thy self of such diligence and faithfulness in the ministry that everyone may see and be assured that thou a sincere teacher who well administers and accomplisheth all parts of his office and thereby be more and more confirmed in the truth see verse 17.]

6. For I am now that is shall be speedily offered or put to death this the apostle know either by a special revelation or by observation of the condition and circumstance of his affairs see the like 2Peter 1.14] offered for a thank offering ]see hereof the annotate on Philippians 2:17] and the time of dissolution [or release changing of house so he calls his death as also Philippians1.23see the annotation there]is at hand.

7. I have fought the good fight [the apostle compare the course of his ministry and life to a fight or combat which in former times was used by running wrestling and otherwise thereby to get a prize or crown see of the same similitude 1Corinthians 9.24,25 2Timothy 2.5] I have finished the course [namely seeing I am now coming to the last and end of my life] I have kept the faith [thereby is understood the saving faith and the faith which he hath promised Christ in the administration of the apostleship .]

8. Henceforth is laid up for me the crown of righteousness [that is eternal life with which the righteousness or justified are crowned as it were with a prize according to Gods gracious promises a similitude taken from fighters or combatants who for a prize receive a crown when they had contented lawfully see 1 Corinthians 9:25 2 Timothy 2:5 James 1:12 Revelations 2.10 and chapter 3.11 which the Lord the righteous judge in that day [namely of my dissolution and fully in the day of the last judgment as 1 Corinthians 1:8 2 Corinthians 1:14 2Timothy 1.12,18] shall give unto me [Gr render namely for a gracious recompense [and not to me only but also that had loved [that is who being assured of their uprightness longed after the same with assurance and confidence that then they shall not be condemned but shall receive the crown of file]his appearing see verse 1

9. Give diligence to come speedily unto me [that is yet before winter] verse 21

10. For Demas hath forsaken me [that is departed from hence leaving the ministry which here performed with me in preaching see Philippians verse 24]having fallen in love with the present world Gr age that is seeking the ease of this life to avoid labor and peril or to take care of temporal business from whence it follows not that it totally fell away from the faith [and is traveled into Thessalonica Crescence to Galatia Titus to Dalmatia [this country is a part of illyricum bordering eastwards on Macedonia west and southwards on the Adratic sea.

11. Luke [se of him Colossians 4:14 and Philemon verse 24] only with me take along Mark [this was Barnabas his nephew Colossians 4:10 named John and surnamed Mark Acts 12:12 ,25 and 15.39 se concerning him also Philemon verse 24 1 Peter5.13]and bring him with thee for he is very useful to me in the ministry [namely of the gospel and not so much to serve me in particular .]

12. But Tychicus [see of him acts 20.4 Ephesians 6:21 Colossians 4:7 Titus 3:12]have I sent to Ephesus [namely to take care of thy church in thy stead.]

13. The traveling cloak [Gr Phelonen Lat penulam which was a cloak to make use of in traveling against rain and cold [some understand by it a small coaster to put books on it]which I left at Troas with Carpus bring with thee when thou comest with the books [namely of the holy scripture and others treating of words]especially the parchment [Gr membanas a Latin word signifying a certain thin skins of beast prepared to write upon called by us parchments because they were first sound out and prepared in the city Pergamus]

14. Alexander [of him see 1 Timothy 1:20] the copper smith [or copper heater] hath showed me much evil[namely by reproaching an withstanding the sound doctrine as is declared verse 15] the Lord reward him according to his work this is no cursing proceeding from a revengeful heart contrary to the doctrine of Christ Matthew 5:44 and also of Paul himself Romans 12:14 but of a prophetical threatening out of a godly zeal to Gods glory and inspiration of the holy Ghost to the punishment which was approaching him he showed himself to be altogether impenitent and hardened see the like Nehemiah 4:4 7c Psalms 5:11.]

15. Of whom take thou heed also [namely that he do not thee like evil or do the church no hurt]for he hath greatly withstood our words .

16. In my first defense [namely made before the emperor Nero]no man [namely of my fellow helpers in the ministry of the word and who were wont to follow and company me it seems that he excepts 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]was with me [namely to help me with counsel ,intercession, testimony or otherwise]but they all forsook me [that is left me alone unaccompanied]let it not be imputed to them [seeing they had done this out of weakness and fear of danger he prayeth to God for them whereas before he prayed against willful and obdurate Alexander verse 14 see the lie Luke 23:34 Acts 7:60.]

17. But the Lord assisted me [namely with the grace of his spirit as he hath promised Luke 21:14,15 or stood by me as Acts 27:23 and comforted and strengthened me]and strengthened me [namely with wisdom, prudence and courage]that by me men fully be assured of the preaching [or that by me the preaching might be fulfilled see verse 5]and all the Gentiles might hear the same [that is that I might have time and opportunity further to spread abroad the word among the Gentiles whose apostle l am Romans 11:13]and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion [that is out of a great and present danger of death such as they are in who are already fallen into the mouth and jaws of a fierce lion Psalms 22:2 and 58.7 others by the lion understand the emperor Nero who is also called because of his cruelty as Tyrants and the enemies of the church are everywhere Psalms 35:17 &c 91.13 Proverbs 28:15 Jeremiah 2:15 and 4.7 so Christ calls king Herod a fox because of his subtlety Luke 13:32.]

18. And the Lord shall deliver me [that is I am assured of it by his promises Psalms 34:20 and 41.3 and 55.23]from every evil work [that is from denying or weakening of the truth and from doubting of his help]and keep me unto his heavenly kingdom [that is finally he shall give me it]to whom be glory to all eternity [Gr unto eternities of eternities] Amen

19. Salute Prisca [see of her Acts 18:2 Romans 16:3]and Aquila and the house of Onesiphorus see of him chapter 1.16.]

20. Erastus [see of him Acts 19:22 Romans 16:23]abode at Corinth and Trophimus [see of him Acts 20:4 and 21.29] I have left a Miletum [see of this city Acts 20:15 ,17] sick.

21. Give diligence to come before winter there salute thee Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit [that is grant thee thy his grace especially in respect of thy soul]grace be with you[that is not only with thee Timothy but also with all believers at Ephesus]Amen