2. Timotheus 4:14 Kommentar

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.

At my first answer no man stood with me,.... Meaning, that when he made his first defence against the charges laid unto him in one of the courts of judicature in Rome, no man appeared in his cause, to speak to his character, to be a witness for him, or plead his cause: but all men forsook me; all his friends, all that came with him from Judea, or from Asia; see Ti2 1:15 being timorous of coming into danger, and of the loss of their lives; as the disciples of Christ were, when he was apprehended, who all at that time forsook him and fled: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge; that this sin may not be imputed to them, or they be punished for it, but that it might be pardoned; so differently does he express himself on the account of these, than on the account of the coppersmith; he sinning through malice, wilfully and obstinately, these through surprise, temptation, and weakness.

The famous Alexander, too, instigated by his love of disputation in the true fashion of heretical temper, has made himself conspicuous against us; he will have us say that Christ put on flesh of an earthly origin, in order that He might in His own person abolish sinful flesh.

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord reward him according to his works." Here he again makes mention of his trial, not wishing merely to censure and accuse the man, but to prepare his disciple for the conflicts, that he might bear them firmly. Though they be mean and contemptible persons, and without honor, who cause these trials, they ought all, he says, to be borne with fortitude. For he who suffers wrong from any great personage, receives no little distinction from the superiority of him who does the wrong. But he who is injured by a vile and abject person, suffers the greater annoyance. "He did me much evil," he says, that is, he persecuted me in various ways. But these things will not go unpunished! For the Lord will reward him according to his works. As he said above: "What persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me." (2 Tim iii. 11.) So also here he consoles his disciples by a double consideration, that he himself had suffered wrong, and that the other would be rewarded for his evil deeds. Not that the Saints rejoice in the punishment of their persecutors, but that the cause of the Gospel required it, and the weaker would derive consolation from it. "Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words." That is, he is hostile to us, and opposes us. He has not said, Revenge, punish, expel him, although by the grace given him he might have so done, but he does no such thing; nor does he arm Timothy against him, but only commands him to avoid him, leaving vengeance to God, and for the consolation of the weaker he has said that He will reward him, which is a prophecy rather than an imprecation.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our words. Paul also showed Timothy to endure bravely the troubles from common people. For it is painful to be wronged, especially by common people. the Lord will repay him. Not because Paul was pleased with the punishment, but because for the sake of the weaker among the believers, those who were excessively opposing had to suffer badly, so that they would not despise the weakness of the preaching. according to his deeds. Or that it is a prophecy of things to come, not a curse. Beware of him yourself. Paul did not say, Punish, punish (for it was also permitted for Timothy to do this through the spirit), but, Beware. Do you see that he does not allow punishment? But the "Beware" is like a warning. opposed our words. That is, to those of the preaching.

The Apostle recalls this temptation not in order to reproach that man, but to persuade his disciple to courageously endure temptations from worthless and contemptible people. Many, when subjected to insults from prominent people, bear them, finding consolation in the high position of their offenders. But to suffer from worthless and rejected people causes greater sorrow. Therefore Paul also says: "he did me much evil," meaning: he caused me to suffer greatly and in various ways. And it usually happens that insignificant and base people, when they begin to do evil, show no mercy whatsoever, caring nothing at all for the opinion of society. Take courage, says the apostle: this will not go unpunished for him, but "the Lord will repay him," instead of: He will repay; for this is a great prophecy, not a curse. This was said by Paul not because the saints rejoice in punishments, but because the work of preaching had need of the restraining of those who hindered it, and also the weaker among the believers were greatly comforted by this.

Then when he says, "Alexander," he mentions those who had been with him and those who are with him: first, on the part of the men; second, on God's part, at "but the Lord stood by me and strengthened me." In regard to the first he does two things: first, he informs him about a person who harmed him; second, about the negligence of those who failed to help him, at "at my first answer, no man stood with me." In regard to the first he does three things: first, he proclaims the guilt of those who accused him wrongfully; second, he shows what their future punishment will be: "the Lord will reward him according to his works"; third, he shows how he will be punished also by the Church: "whom do you also avoid." It seems that this Alexander was a worker in brass or a watchman for a coppersmith, and probably was one of those who believed that the observances of the law had to be followed in order to be saved: "some have made a shipwreck concerning the faith, of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander" (1 Tim 1:19). Some even say that he was the one mentioned in Acts for inciting the people against the Apostle (Acts 19:24); but the names are different, because in Acts the person was Demetrius, and here Alexander. Again, the places were different, because the one occurred in Ephesus and this one at Rome. And he continues, "he has shown me much evil." And note that he does not say "done" but "shown": because the wicked can show their ill will toward the just, but they cannot always accomplish it: "they shall fight against you and shall not prevail, for I am with you" (Jer 1:19); "who brings to naught the designs of the malignant, so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had begun; who catches the wise in their craftiness, and disappoints the counsel of the wicked" (Job 5:12). Then when he says, "the Lord will reward him according to his works," he mentions his future punishment. But note that he does not use the optative, "may he reward," but "he will reward," to signify that his punishment has already been prepared by the Lord, which the Apostle foresaw from his obstinacy: "you will render to each one according to his works" (Ps 61:12). Yet, although his punishment is being reserved for the future, the Church should even now punish him by excommunication.

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.

Alexander the coppersmith - We are not to understand this of any tradesman, but of some rabbin; for it was not unusual for the Jews to apply the name of some trade as an epithet to their rabbins and literary men. He is, in all probability, the very same mentioned Act 19:33 (note); and it is not unlikely that he may have been the same whom the apostle was obliged to excommunicate, Ti1 1:20. The Lord reward him - Αποδῳη αυτῳ ὁ Κυριος· But instead of αποδῳη, which has here the power of a solemn imprecation, αποδωσει, he will reward, is the reading of the very best MSS., several of the versions, and some of the chief Greek fathers. This makes the sentence declaratory: The Lord Will reward him according to his works. This reading is most like the spirit and temper of this heavenly man. See Ti2 4:16.

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.

Alexander the coppersmith--or "smith" in general. Perhaps the same as the Alexander (see on Ti1 1:20) at Ephesus. Excommunicated then he subsequently was restored, and now vented his personal malice because of his excommunication in accusing Paul before the Roman judges, whether of incendiarism or of introducing a new religion. See my Introduction. He may have been the Alexander put forward by the Jews in the tumult at Ephesus (Act 19:33-34). reward--The oldest manuscripts read, "shall reward," or "requite him." Personal revenge certainly did not influence the apostle (Ti2 4:16, end).