2 Timothy 4

1 at his appearing. Rather, “by his appearing,” with a comma after “dead.”

2 be instant. “Keep at thy post”; be assiduous; not only embracing opportunities, but making them. “Have no definite time; let it always be time for thee” (Chrysostom).

3 having itching ears. Running after every new teacher whose fancies suit their corrupt inclinations.

5 make full proof of thy ministry. Or, “perform fully thy ministry” as an evangelist: see note on Eph. iv. 11.

6. I am now ready to be offered. Lit., “I am already being poured out,” i.e., as a drink-offering or libation; see Phil. ii. 17, and note. Paul now regarded his martyrdom as near and certain.

7. I have fought a good fight. “I have maintained the good contest,” like one striving in the Grecian games: see notes on 1 Cor. ix. 26, and 2 Tim. ii. 5. The figure includes all, or any of, the contests in the games (Wace).

I have kept the faith. I have guarded the faith as a sacred deposit, entrusted to my care.

8 a crown. Rather, “the crown.” Cp. 1 Cor. ix. 25; Rev. ii. 10.

that love. Should be rendered “that have loved,” i.e., “who shall then be found to have loved, and to be still loving” (Alford).

9 shortly. “Quickly”; for my martyrdom is at hand, and all my friends except Luke (11) are away.

10. Demas. Demas is honourably mentioned in Col. iv. 14, and Philem. 24; and it should be observed that what is here laid to his charge is not apostasy, but unwillingness to remain with Paul, probably at the risk of his life. Of Crescens, or of the reasons why he and Titus had left, nothing is known.

Dalmatia. A district of Illyricum, still bearing the same name, on the eastern shore of the Adriatic.

11 profitable. See Col. iv. 10.

12 have I sent. Properly, “I sent.” If Timothy was at or near Ephesus, he could leave the more easily, as Tychicus would be there.

13 coke. A warm cloak would be useful in the coming “winter” (see ver. 21). The “books” were writings on papyros or some other frail material; the “parchments” were writings on prepared skins, and were doubtless “especially” valuable.

14. Alexander. This Alexander is perhaps the same as in Acts xix. 33. What was the nature of the “evil” we cannot tell. Some have argued from the connexion that it was connected with the apostle’s trial. The phrase in Greek is plural: “many evils.” Lange renders, “brought many evil charges against me.”

the Lord reward him. R.V., “The Lord will render to him,” etc. The apostle leaves his enemy in the hands of God.

16 my first answer (“defence”). Before the Emperor Nero; when some Christian friends on whom he had counted for support had been deterred from appearing, probably by Nero’s fury against the Christians. But though men forsook him, his Lord did not; for He “put strength in” the apostle to declare the gospel fully before all.

17 that by me the preaching might be fully known. Or, “that through me the message might be fully proclaimed,” R.V.

out of the mouth of the lion. This may mean the cruel Nero; or, generally, imminent peril of death.

18 from every evil work. From every attempt to overcome my stedfast faith in Christ. Wace notes that the Greek words here used are the same as those of the petition in the Lord’s Prayer, “deliver us from evil.”

19. Prisca. See Acts xviii. 2.

20. Trophimus (have) I left at Miletum (Miletus). Trophimus had accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Acts xxi. 29). This passage, therefore, distinctly supports the supposition of a journey in Asia by the apostle after the close of the history of the Acts.

21 before winter. Before the navigation was closed for the winter (Acts xxvii. 12).

22 you. Timothy and his fellow-labourers.

[The Second Epistle unto Timotheus, etc.] This subscription is entitled to no weight: see note at the end of Romans.

IN each of the three chapters of this letter there is a memorable saying. The three passages give distinction to it, and are keynotes of its entire message. The first is, “Unto the pure all things are pure” (i. 15). The second is, “The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (ii. 11-14). The third is, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (iii. 5).

In other words, the Epistle is a call to purity, and these verses supply the

motive to it and the power for it. The call was necessary anywhere in that Pagan world. It was especially necessary in Crete (i. 12).