2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4:16-22

In this chapter St. Paul, 1. Doth with great solemnity and earnestness proof Timothy is the diligent and conspirant discharge of his own and office, as an evangelist; and the charge given to him, all good ministers are to take to themselves, ver. 1—8. 2. Why must Timothy now be instant in season, &c. in a particular manner? Because the church was likely to be deprived of the apostle’s labours, for his departure was at hand, ver. 6, 7, & 8. 3. Dover’s particular matters, with an hint and caution about discourage the opportunity, ver. 9—10. 4. He informeth him of what he had been at his first answer; though men forsook him, the Lord shall by him, and that encouraged him to hope for future deliverance, ver. 10—19. And then he concludes with salutations and a benediction, ver. 19, to the end.

1. 1. “I Charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ,” who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom: 2. French the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. 3. For “the time will come when they will not endure” found doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.

2. 1—8. The apostle, being now ready to conclude his epistle, gives Timothy.

3. His solemn charge. I charge thee before the great heart-searching God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, in the last great day, when he shall come in his glory, and give to every man according to his work: preach the word, proclaiming, as an herald aloud, the thrilled gospel; be instant in season, and, as done may think, out of season; earnest to inculcate the truth upon men’s consciences, both on the Lord’s day, and every other opportunity, not only in time of peace, but amid all opposition and persecution; reprove, rebuke, gainlayers, backfidders, sinners; exhort and encourage the faithful, with all long-suffering, unwearied in the service, not discouraged at any difficulties in the way, and with that doctrine, which is according to the scriptures, and pro-

fistable for the souls of men. Now, (1.) Ministers must not only preach, but be instant; fromest didomies, languishly delivered, will never fire the hearers’ soul. (2.) They who have the work of Christ at heart, will be perhaps often thought very unfassomable in the frequency of their public manifestations, or the freedom of their private rebukes; but they have here a divine warrant.

2. He warns him how difficult it will prove to be faithful amidst the abounding errors. For the time will come, and the mystery of iniquity already begins to operate, when they will not endure found doctrine, the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, but after their own deprived lusts and passions, shall they keep to themselves teachers, having itching ears, desiring to have their fancies entertained, and their corruptions flattered, instead of the free, benefit, and faithful rebuke which the gospel ministers deliver. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, averse from it, and reluding to obey it, and shall be turned unto fables, listening to the following teachers, who with idle tales amish, and with falsehood lull their consciences asleep. Now, They who like to be flattered in their line, rather than to hear faithful reproof, are justly given up to their own delusions, and the blind are suffered to follow the blind, till both fall into the pit of hell.

3. He admonishes Timothy to guard against these deceivers, and to caution the people that they be not impelled upon. But watch thou in all things over thy own heart, and over the church committed to thy care, guarding against the first appearance of evil and error; endure affliction with fortitude and patience; as the work of an evangelist with all fidelity and zeal; make full proof of thy ministry, that gainlayers may be silenced, and believers comforted and edifed.

4. He informs Timothy of his approaching dissolution and glorious hope, for his encouragement to follow his steps. For I am now ready to be offered up, and to pour out my blood as a libation in the service of the gospel: and the time of my departure is at hand, when my disembodied soul shall go to the bosom of my Lord. I have fought a good fight, and through grace can look back with satisfaction on my warfare; I have finished my march, and am near the glorious prize; I have kept the faith, maintaining the purity of the doctrine of Christ, and admiring them by unimpeached fidelity in my own conversation. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, the reward of those whom he hath chosen and called, and strengthened for the conflict, shall give me at that day of his appearing and glory; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing, and live under the influence, and in the prospect and earnest expectation of it. Now, (1.) The fidelity of others should be a quickening motive to excite our diligence; and their dying testimony to the blemishers of Christ’s ways, should comfort and encourage us to persevere in them. (2.) When we have the true hope of the crown of righteousness, the day of our departure will be the brightest which ever dawned upon us. (3.) They who are faithful unto death, may with delight look back; and, whilst they ascribe all to their Master’s grace, they cannot but rejoice in the evidence, which the review affords of their approved sincerity before him. (4.) Whatever difficulties are in our way, we have a good cause to bear us out, and should comfortably and courageously persevere; whatever we lose for Christ here, we shall, at least in eternity, be unfeasible gainers by him. (5.) There is an awful day at hand, and a righteous judge expected. Blefied and happy are they who truly love the day of his appearing, and can lay with confidence, and real desire, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

5. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me. 10. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thefalonica: Creizens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11. Only Luke is with me. 12. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 13. And Tychicus have I sent to Epheius. 14. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comelt, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the patchments. 15. Alexander the copperfinth did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works. 16. Of whom he thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

6. 9—15. Several directions are here given to Timothy: 1. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me, as I especially need thy company at this time. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and now, in this trying season, hath shamefully deserted me, purifying his own lust and weakly interred, and is departed unto Thefalonica, to be out of the danger to which here he might, as my companions, have been exposed: Creizens is gone, on affairs of the church, to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia; so that I am almost left alone. Only Luke is with me, my true and faithful fellow labourers, and Tychicus have I sent to Epheius. Now, The love of this present world hath fatally warped many from their fidelity to Christ.

7. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. Whatever just cause of displeasure the apostle might

might have had formerly against him, he was now returned to his duty, and therewith to Paul’s favour and regard. Note, Those who have never so much offended us, we should cordially again receive, whenever they humbly desire to return to the right way.

3. The clubs, or, as others render it, the deft, that I left at Trues, with Corpus my hoft, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. What these writings contained, of which the apostle was so careful, is uncertain: some have thought at was the poll of his freedom, others, the copies of his epistles, which had been sent to the several churches.

4. He admonishes him to beware of a bitter enemy to Christianity. Alexander the copperfinith did me much evil, (Atts xix. 33.) and still bears an implacable comity to me. The Lord reward him according to his works, to whose righteous judgment I leave him. Of whom he thou wore alfe; for he hath greatly withstood our words, and endeavoured to prejudice both Jews and Gentiles against that gospel which we preach. Note, Though no private revenge must disavow a thought of will of resentment, any obstinate and incorrigible enemies to truth and godliness are to be delivered up to an avenging God.

Chap. 1. 15.

16. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

17. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom he glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Oncifhorus.

18. Erasmus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum fick. 21. Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greatest thes, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22. Chap. 1. 4.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The apostle here,

1. Informs Timothy of his present circumstances. At my first answer, when I was called to defend myself before the emperor, no man stood with me, but all, who could be of any service by their countenance or presence, forsook me, through fear and cowardice: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge, but that he would pardon this unfaithfulness, and bring them to repentance. Notwithstanding, though deserved by men, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me with boldness, freedom, and fidelity to plead the cause of his gospel; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear, who were present at my trial, or to whom the substance of it should be related: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, from the cruel Nero, and the jaws of death, which seemed to yawn for me. And I am fully confident, from long experience, that the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, that I shall never speak nor act unbecoming the character I have, intimidated by any fear of sufferings; and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, giving me the inheritance in glory which he hath provided and promised: to whom he glory for ever and ever. Amen! Note, (1.) In trying times we are not to be surprised if many desert us who promised very fair. (2.) If the Lord stand by us, we want no other support. (3.) It is our comfort, whatever befals us, that we have an heavenly kingdom secured, and then come life, come death, all must be well.

2. He sends his own and others salutations, and hastens Timothy to come to him. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Oncifhorus. Erasmus, the chamberlain, abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum fick, not having any suggestion from the Lord, or power, miraculously to restore him. Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greatest thes, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren in these parts.

3. He concludes with his hearty benediction and prayer for him. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit to quicken, teach, guide, preserve thee. Grace be with you, and all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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