2 ทิโมธี 4:3 วิจารณ์

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.

For the time will come,.... This is a reason of the solemn charge above given: the time referred to was future, when the apostle wrote, but quickly came on; and the characters of it have appeared more or less in all ages since; and in none more than in ours: when they will not endure sound doctrine; the Gospel which contains the wholesome words of Christ, and is sound itself, having no corruption in it, and salutary in its effects to the souls of men; and yet such is the depravity of some men, both in principles and practice, that they cannot receive it, nor bear to hear it, turn their backs on it, express their indignation at it, and treat it not only with neglect, but with ridicule and contempt: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers; not being content with the ministry of one man only, or of a few, though of their own sort; but must follow many, and have heaps of them; which seems to express not only the number of false teachers which they accumulate to themselves, but the confused and indiscreet choice they make of them; and that after their own lusts; choosing to hear such as either indulge them in their sinful lusts and pleasures; or are agreeable to their private corrupt sentiments, in opposition to the generally received doctrine of faith. It is a blessing to have pastors and teachers after God's heart, and who preach according to the word of God; these feed men with knowledge and understanding, Jer 3:15 but it is a curse upon a people, when they are left to choose teachers after their hearts' lusts: having itching ears; always desirous of new things, as the Athenians of old; or loving to have their ears scratched and tickled with smooth things; that are pleasing and agreeable to natural men, and carnal minds; as the purity of human nature, the power of man's free will, the excellency of his righteousness, and the merit of his works, and the like; see Isa 30:9. Now, this being the case, should not discourage, but rather animate the ministers of the Gospel to preach it; for should they desist, in all likelihood the Gospel would soon be gone.

For their Mother—that is, Leto—secretly stirred them up (whence also she is called Leto, according to the meaning of the Greek word, because she secretly stirred up men), without the knowledge of the Demiurge, to give forth profound and unspeakable mysteries to itching ears.

You can understand the desire of the prodigal son to be sated with pods in this way. When rational nature exists in irrationality, it simply desires. If it does not get more convincing reasons, then it accepts any reason at all. Since the pods taste sweet and make the body fat, they do not bind the bowels. They are the specious words of lovers of matter and the body, who say that pleasure is a good, “itching at their ears and running after myths.”

Paul, in the second to Timothy: "There will be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own lusts will heap to themselves teachers itching in hearing, tickling their ears; and shall turn away their hearing indeed from the truth, but they shall be converted unto fables."

The apostle was cognizant of these sinful tendencies of the will, and besides his numerous admonitions to defend the faith and to preach the word, he said in his epistle to Timothy: “There will come a time when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap up to themselves teachers according to their lusts, and they will turn away from hearing the truth and turn aside rather to fables.” When they will no longer endure sound doctrine in their eagerness for godlessness, they will gather teachers together for these things which they desire. They will compile a doctrine that fits in with their desires, since they are no longer eager to be taught. They want to bring together teachers for that which they already desire in order that this large number of teachers whom they have sought and assembled may satisfy the doctrines of their own passionate desires.

For there are certain persons who have not only their ears and their tongues but even, as I now perceive, their hands too, itching for words. They delight in profane babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called, and strifes about words, which tend to no profit. Paul is the preacher and establisher of the “Word cut short.” The teacher of the fishermen calls to question all that is excessive or superfluous in discourse.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." Before they grow stiffnecked, preoccupy them all. For this reason he says, "in season, out of season"; do everything, so as to have willing disciples. "But after their own lusts," he says, "shall they heap to themselves teachers." Nothing can be more expressive than these words. For by saying "they shall heap to themselves," he shows the indiscriminate multitude of the teachers, as also by their being elected by their disciples. "They shall heap to themselves teachers," he says, "having itching ears." Seeking for such as speak to gratify and delight their hearers. "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables." This he foretells, not as willing to throw him into despair, but to prepare him to bear it firmly, when it shall happen. As Christ also did in saying, "They will deliver you up, and they will scourge you, and bring you before the synagogues, for My name's sake." (Matt. x. 17.) And this blessed man elsewhere says, "For I know this, that after my departures shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." (Acts xx. 29.) But this he said that they might watch, and duly use the present opportunity.

All the most foolish heretics who want themselves to be called Christians try to color the impertinencies of their inventions. At this human sensibility especially shudders, with the occasion of the sentence of the Gospel where the Lord says, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” These were the very things that at that time the disciples could not bear, and the Holy Spirit taught such things as an unclean spirit pales to teach and preach openly, by whatever impertinence he may be moved. These are the ones that the apostle foresees in the Holy Spirit and says, “For there will be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, itching to hear, and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth but will be turned to fables.”

For there will be a time when they will not endure sound teaching; but according to their own desires they will accumulate for themselves teachers, having their ears tickled; and they will turn away their hearing from the truth and turn aside to myths. Therefore, before they rush headlong, occupy them in the meantime while they obey you. For this reason, Paul says "in season and out of season," (2 Tim. 4:2) as long as they endure. For they must be accustomed to persuasion before they revolt. But observe the absurdity of the teachers, that the desires of the people serve as a pretext for them to protect themselves. having their ears tickled. That is, delighting in hearing things that excite desire, and always longing to hear things that please. and they will turn away their hearing from the truth. Paul foretells these things, not to cause sorrow, but teaching that it is necessary for the disciples, until they become obedient and reasonable, to be properly shaped and to be burdened, and so that when this comes to pass, they do not lose heart. "For I was prepared," he says, "and I was not disturbed." (Ps. 119:60) Do you see that they do not err as if unaware, but willingly? For they will turn away their hearing, he says, and be turned aside, so that the evil is voluntary.

That is to say, they delight in their ears.

So, warn them before they plunge into calamity. This is why he also said above: "in season and out of season"; while you still have the opportunity to persuade, do everything. The Apostle indicates by the expression "they will choose" a disorderly crowd of teachers, and also that they are chosen by the people, who will act not according to sound reason, but will choose those who will indulge their lusts and only say and do what is pleasing to them. Those who always want to hear what is pleasant, delightful, and flattering to the ear.

Then when he says, "there shall be a time," he shows why this admonition is necessary. But there is a threefold need for the abovementioned advice: first, on the part of the hearers; second, on Timothy's part, at "but be vigilant"; third, on the part of the Apostle, at "for I am even now ready" (2 Tim 4:6). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he describes the need; second, he explains the statement, at "and will indeed turn." The first need arises from the perversity of those who hear, for they desire to hear not what is useful, but what is new. He says, therefore, in regard to the first: be instant, when they refuse to listen to sound doctrine. "For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine," when their teachers are wicked: "I know that after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29); hence he says, "they will not endure," i.e., your doctrine will be hateful to them, namely, Christ's doctrine: "all my words are just, there is nothing wicked nor perverse in them" (Prov 8:8). Another perversity is that they wish to hear strange and harmful things: "O children, how long will you love childishness, and fools covet things which are hurtful to them, and the unwise hate knowledge?" (Prov 1:22). He says, therefore: "but they will heap to themselves teachers," i.e., they will multiply teachers unto themselves. Against this it is said: "be you not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment" (Jas 3:1). And there is a heaping up when unbecoming and unsatisfactory things are multiplied. Furthermore, there is more of a heaping up if they accept four who are unworthy, than if they accept a hundred who are good, because "the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world" (Wis 6:26); "speak unto us pleasant things" (Isa 30:10). And this is according to their desires, because one wishes to hear one, and another, and another; consequently, they search for different teachers. And he says, "teachers having itching ears," namely, their hearers. For an itch is present in the feet, when one cannot stay put; but it is present in the ears, when a person wishes to hear only unusual and curious and sometimes harmful news: "now all the Athenians, and strangers that were there, employed themselves in nothing else, but either in telling or in hearing some new thing" (Acts 17:21). In this way heretical doctrines were spawned: "stolen waters are sweeter, and hidden bread is more pleasant" (Prov 9:17).

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.

For the time will come - There is a time coming to the Church when men will not hear the practical truths of the Gospel, when they will prefer speculative opinions, which either do no good to the soul, or corrupt and destroy it, to that wholesome doctrine of "deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me," which Jesus Christ has left in his Church. But after their own lusts - For these they will follow, and hate those preachers and that doctrine by which they are opposed. Shall they heap to themselves teachers - They will add one teacher to another, run and gad about after all, to find out those who insist not on the necessity of bearing the cross, of being crucified to the world, and of having the mind that was in Jesus. In this disposition interested men often find their account; they set up for teachers, "and widen and strew with flowers the way, down to eternal ruin," taking care to soothe the passions and flatter the vices of a trifling, superficial people. Having itching ears - Endless curiosity, an insatiable desire of variety; and they get their ears tickled with the language and accent of the person, abandoning the good and faithful preacher for the fine speaker.

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.

they--professing Christians. sound doctrine--Greek, "the sound (see on Ti1 1:10) doctrine (didascalias)" or "teaching," namely, of the Gospel. Presently follows the concrete, "teachers." after their own lusts--Instead of regarding the will of God they dislike being interrupted in their lusts by true teachers. heap--one on another: an indiscriminate mass of false teachers. Variety delights itching ears. "He who despises sound teaching, leaves sound teachers; they seek instructors like themselves" [BENGEL]. It is the corruption of the people in the first instance, that creates priestcraft (Exo 32:1). to themselves--such as will suit their depraved tastes; populus vult decipi, et decipiatur--"the people wish to be deceived, so let them be deceived." "Like priest, like people" (Kg1 12:31; Hos 4:9). itching--like to hear teachers who give them mere pleasure (Act 17:19-21), and do not offend by truths grating to their ears. They, as it were, tickle with pleasure the levity of the multitude [CICERO], who come as to a theater to hear what will delight their ears, not to learn [SENECA, Epistles, 10.8] what will do them good. "Itch in the ear is as bad in any other part of the body, and perhaps worse" [SOUTH].