2 Timothy 4:11 Komentář

INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 4 In this chapter the apostle charges Timothy to perform his office as an evangelist with great diligence, constancy, and faithfulness, with reasons for it; gives some hints of several particular persons mentioned, which made him very desirous that Timothy would come quickly to him; relates how things were with him when he made his first defence at Rome; and concludes the epistle with salutations, and his usual blessing. The charge is made in the most solemn manner in the sight of God; and of Christ, as Judge of quick and dead; and directs to the several parts of the ministerial work, and the manner in which they should be performed, Ti2 4:1. The reason of which charge is, because the time was hastening on that sound doctrine would not be endured, and men would depart from the truth to fables and false teachers, Ti2 4:3. Wherefore the apostle repeats his charge and exhortation to Timothy, though in other words, to be vigilant, patient, courageous, and faithful in the discharge of his office, Ti2 4:5 adding a fresh reason moving to it, taken from the apostle's death being at hand; which is expressed by a sacrifice, and by a departure out of the world, Ti2 4:6 which leads him to give an account of his past conduct in fighting the good fight, finishing his course, and keeping the faith, Ti2 4:7 and of his firm belief of eternal glory and happiness, Ti2 4:8 and next he desires Timothy to use all diligence to come quickly to him, Ti2 4:9 his reasons for which were, because he had scarce anybody with him: one had forsook him through love of the world; another was gone to Thessalonica; a third to Galatia, and a fourth to Dalmatia; only Luke the evangelist was with him; and as for Tychicus, he had sent him to Ephesus: he therefore desires he would bring Mark with him, and his cloak, books, and parchments he had left at Troas, Ti2 4:10 and then takes notice of persons that had used him ill, particularly Alexander the coppersmith; he wishes justice might be done him; and advises Timothy to beware of him, because of his opposition to the doctrines of the Gospel, Ti2 4:14 and also of others that neglected him, who forsook him when he defended himself: however, he prays that this might not be charged upon them; and observes the goodness of God in standing by him and delivering him; and expresses his faith and confidence that he should be delivered and preserved safe to eternal glory, Ti2 4:16 and next follow the apostle's salutations of some persons at Ephesus, and an account of two others, one at Corinth, and another at Miletum; and a repetition of his request to Timothy, to come quickly to him, and before winter; and then some salutations of persons at Rome, sent by Timothy; and the whole is concluded with the apostle's usual benediction, Ti2 4:19.

And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. To supply the place of Timothy, while he came to Rome, and continued there: so careful was the apostle of the church there, that they might not be without the ministry of the word during his absence; see Eph 6:20. . 2 Timothy 4:13 ti2 4:13 ti2 4:13 ti2 4:13The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus,.... About the word here rendered a "cloak", interpreters are not agreed: some take it for a garment, and about this they differ; some would have it to be a dignified robe, such as the Roman consuls and senators of Rome wore; which is not likely, this being not suitable to the apostle's character, state, and circumstances. Others take it to be a courser and meaner garment, wore in cold and rainy weather, to preserve from the inclementencies of it; and winter now coming on, Ti2 4:21 the apostle sends for it; which he perhaps had left at Troas in the summer season, as he came: but others take it to be a kind of desk or scrutoire, to put papers in, or a chest for books, a book press; and so the Syriac version renders it; and which agrees with what follows. Jerom understands it of a book itself, of the Hebrew volume of the Pentateuch (g). Troas, where this cloak, or book press, or book was, was a city in Asia Minor, that stood upon, or near the same place where old Troy stood, and from whence it seems to have had its name, and lay in Timothy's way from Ephesus to Rome; See Gill on Act 16:8, Act 20:7 and as for Carpus, he was Paul's host when he was at Troas. Some make him to be first bishop of Laodicea, and then of Crete; he is reckoned among the seventy disciples, and is said to be bishop of Berytus in Thrace; See Gill on Luk 10:1. When thou comest, bring with thee; he would have him call for it at Troas as he came by, and bring it with him: and the books; that were in it, or were there, besides the Hebrew Pentateuch: the apostle was a great reader of books, of various sorts, both Gentile and Jewish, as appears by his citations out of the Heathen poets, and his acquaintance with Jewish records, Act 17:28. And though he was now grown old, and near his exit, yet was mindful and careful of his books, and desirous of having them to read; and herein set an example to Timothy and others, and enforced the exhortation he gave him, Ti1 4:13. But especially the parchments: which might contain his own writings he had a mind to revise before his death, and commit into the hands of proper persons; or some observations which he had made in his travels, concerning persons and things; though it is most likely that these were the books of the Old Testament, which were written on parchments, and rolled up together; and hence they are called the volume of the book; and these the apostle had a special regard for, that whatever was neglected, he desired that these might not, but be carefully brought unto him. (g) Epist. ad Damas. qu. 2. p. 12. Tom. 3.

"Only Luke is with me." For he adhered to him inseparably. It was he who wrote the Gospel, and the General Acts; he was devoted to labors, and to learning, and a man of fortitude. "Take Mark, and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry." It is not for his own relief, but for the ministry of the Gospel that he wanted him. For though imprisoned, he did not cease to preach.

For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present age, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. having loved this present age. Having become safe and secure, as he thought. For Demas preferred to indulge in luxury at home rather than suffer hardships with me. But Paul does not want to slander this man, rather to support us so that we do not become weak. Crescens to Galatia. They had left of their own accord, therefore he does not say, "The rest." Moreover, Titus was among the distinguished to whom the bishopric of Crete had been entrusted. Only Luke is with me. This Luke is the one who wrote the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. And since he was eager to learn, holy and committed, he was never separated from Paul. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me. Paul said, "Not for my comfort, but for the ministry of the Gospel." Indeed, Paul also called Timothy for this reason, so that after his death the brothers might be comforted. for ministry. Of the Gospel, Paul says.

He was constantly at his side, wrote the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. The apostle speaks of him in another epistle: "the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches" (2 Cor. 8:18). He demands him not for his own comfort, but for the service of the Gospel. For even in chains he did not cease to preach. Consequently, he was also summoning Timothy not for himself, but for the sake of the preaching of the Gospel, so that no disturbance would arise among the believers on the occasion of his death; when many of his disciples would be present at this, they would restrain the disturbance and comfort those who would not easily bear his passing. For among the believers in Rome, there were probably also men worthy of great respect.

"Only Luke is with me." He retained him for preaching the Gospel, in which he was most gracious: "whose praise is in the Gospel through all the churches" (2 Cor 8:18). Then when he says, "take Mark and bring him with you," he assigns him a companion. This Mark was also called John and was a cousin of Barnabas. In Acts it is recorded that Barnabas would have taken with him John also that was surnamed Mark (Acts 15:37); but Paul vetoed it. As a result they quarreled and departed one from the other: "Mark the cousin germane of Barnabas" (Col 4:10). The reason is this: "for he is profitable to me for the ministry."

The apostle charges Timothy to be diligent, incessant, and faithful in his preaching; to watch, suffer patiently, and give full proof of his ministry, Ti2 4:1-5. He predicts his own approaching death, and expresses the strongest confidence of being eternally happy, Ti2 4:6-8. Desires Timothy to come and see him; shows that several had forsaken him, that others were gone to different districts, and that he had only Luke with him, Ti2 4:9-12. Desires him to bring the cloak, book, and parchments, which he had left at Troas, Ti2 4:13. Of Alexander the coppersmith's opposition, Ti2 4:14, Ti2 4:15. Tells Timothy how he was deserted by all when obliged to make his first defense before Nero; how God supported him, and the confidence with which he was inspired, Ti2 4:16-18. Salutations to different persons at Ephesus, and from different persons at Rome, Ti2 4:19-21. The apostolical benediction, Ti2 4:22.

Only Luke is with me - This was Luke the evangelist, and writer of the Acts of the Apostles, who was always much attached to St. Paul, and it is supposed continued with him even to his martyrdom. Take Mark, and bring him with thee - This was John Mark, the sister's son of Barnabas, who, after having wavered a little at first, became a steady, zealous, and useful man; his name and conduct have been often before the reader. See the parallel passages. For he is profitable to me for the ministry - Εις διακονιαν· For service; that is, he would be very useful to the apostle, to minister to him in his present close confinement. Some think that the apostle means his preaching the Gospel; but at this time, I should suppose, there was very little, if any, public preaching at Rome.

SOLEMN CHARGE TO TIMOTHY TO DO HIS DUTY ZEALOUSLY, FOR TIMES OF APOSTASY ARE AT HAND, AND THE APOSTLE IS NEAR HIS TRIUMPHANT END: REQUESTS HIM TO COME AND BRING MARK WITH HIM TO ROME, AS LUKE ALONE IS WITH HIM, THE OTHERS HAVING GONE: ALSO HIS CLOAK AND PARCHMENTS: WARNS HIM AGAINST ALEXANDER: TELLS WHAT BEFELL HIM AT HIS FIRST DEFENSE: GREETINGS: BENEDICTION. (2Ti. 4:1-22) charge--Greek, "adjure." therefore--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. the Lord Jesus Christ--The oldest manuscripts read simply, "Christ Jesus." shall judge--His commission from God is mentioned, Act 10:42; his resolution to do so, Pe1 4:5; the execution of his commission, here. at his appearing--The oldest manuscripts read, "and" for "at"; then translate, "(I charge thee before God . . . ) and by His appearing." and his kingdom--to be set at His appearing, when we hope to reign with Him. His kingdom is real now, but not visible. It shall then be both real and visible (Luk 22:18, Luk 22:30; Rev 1:7; Rev 11:15; Rev 19:6). Now he reigns in the midst of His enemies expecting till they shall be overthrown (Psa 110:2; Heb 10:13). Then He shall reign with His adversaries prostrate.

Take--Greek, "take up" on thy journey (Act 20:13-14). John Mark was probably in, or near, Colosse, as in the Epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:10), written two years before this, he is mentioned as about to visit them. Timothy was now absent from Ephesus and somewhere in the interior of Asia Minor; hence he would be sure to fall in with Mark on his journey. he is profitable to me for the ministry--Mark had been under a cloud for having forsaken Paul at a critical moment in his missionary tour with Barnabas (Act 15:37-40; Act 13:5, Act 13:13). Timothy had subsequently occupied the same post in relation to Paul as Mark once held. Hence Paul, appropriately here, wipes out the past censure by high praise of Mark and guards against Timothy's making self-complacent comparisons between himself and Mark, as though he were superior to the latter (compare Plm 1:24). Demas apostatizes. Mark returns to the right way, and is no longer unprofitable, but is profitable for the Gospel ministry (Plm 1:11).