Reference: Timothy, The Second Epistle to
Fausets
SECOND EPISTLE. (See TIMOTHY, THE FIRST EPISTLE TO.)
TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING. In Paul's prison at Rome, just before his martyrdom. Timothy was possibly still at Ephesus, for Priscilla and Aquila whom Paul salutes generally resided there (2Ti 4:19); also Onesiphorus, who ministered to Paul at Ephesus and therefore it is presumable resided there (2Ti 1:16-18). The Hymenaeus of 2Ti 2:17 is probably the Hymenaeus at Ephesus (1Ti 1:20); also "Alexander the coppersmith" (2Ti 4:14) seems to be the Alexander put forward by the Jews to clear themselves, not to befriend Paul, in the riot at Ephesus (Ac 19:33-34). Still, if Timothy was at Ephesus, why did he need to be told that Paul had sent Tychicus to Ephesus, or that Paul had left Trophimus, himself an Ephesian (Ac 21:29), sick at Miletus which was only 30 miles from Ephesus?
Probably Timothy's overseership extended beyond Ephesus to all the Pauline churches in Asia Minor; he combined with it the office of "evangelist," or itinerant missionary Ephesus was only his head quarters; and 2Ti 4:13 will accord with the theory of Ephesus or any other place in the N.W. of Asia Minor being Timothy's place of sojourn at the time. Paul at his first imprisonment lodged in his own hired house, guarded by a single soldier, and having liberty to receive all comers; but now he was so closely confined that Onesiphorus with difficulty found him; he was chained, forsaken by friends, and had narrowly escaped execution by the Roman emperor. The access however of Onesiphorus, Linus, Pudens, and Claudia to him proves he was not in the Mamertine or Tullianum prison, with Peter, as tradition represents; but under military custody, of a severer kind than at his first imprisonment (2Ti 1:16-18; 2:9; 4:6-8,16-17). (See PETER.) He was probably arraigned before the "rulers" (Clemens Rom., 1 Ep. Corinth. 5, epi ton heegoumenon), i.e. Helius the city prefect, on a double charge:
(1) of having conspired with the Christians, as Nero's partisans alleged, to set fire to Rome, A.D. 64; that event took place the year after his liberation from the first imprisonment, A.D. 63; some Christians were crucified, some arrayed in wild beasts' skins, and hunted to death by dogs, wrapped in pitch robes some were set on fire by night to illuminate the Vatican circus and Nero's gardens while that monster played the charioteer. (See PAUL.) But now three years had elapsed; and Paul as a Roman citizen was treated with greater respect for legal forms, and was acquitted on the "first" charge (2Ti 4:17) of instigating the Christians to incendiarism before his last departure from Rome; it was then that Alexander the coppersmith witnessed against him (2Ti 4:14); no patron dared to advocate his cause, though being probably a client of the Aemilian clan, from whence he derived his name Paul, he might naturally have looked for advocacy (2Ti 4:16-17). The place of trial was possibly one of the two Pauline basilicae, called from L. Aemil. Paulus, who built one and restored the other in the Ferrari.
(2) The second charge, of introducing a novel unlawful religion, he expected to be tried upon the following winter (2Ti 4:21); but if in Nero's reign his second trial cannot have taken place later than June. Luke alone stayed by him. Onesiphorus, undeterred by danger, sought out and visited him; Linus also, the future bishop of Rome, Pudens a senator's son and Claudia the British princess, and Tychicus before he was sent to Ephesus. (See LINUS; PUDENS; CLAUDIA Possibly Tychicus was bearer of the epistle as of epistles to Ephesians (Eph 6:21-22) and Colossians (Col 4:7-8), since "to thee" in 2Ti 4:12 is not needed for this view if Timothy was at the time not at Ephesus itself. Paul's leaving of his cloak and parchments at Troas (2Ti 4:13) cannot have been at his visit in Ac 20:5-7, for seven years elapsed between this visit and his first imprisonment. Again, when he wrote to the Colossians (Col 4:14) during his first imprisonment (Phm 1:24) Demas was with him; but when he is writing 2 Timothy (2Ti 4:10) Demas had forsaken him and gone to Thessalonica, all have deserted him (2Ti 1:15).
Not so in his first imprisonment (Ac 28:30), nor in writing from it epistles to Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon; in these he anticipates liberation, but in 2Ti 4:6-8,16, immediate death, having been once already tried. He is more closely confined than when writing even Philippians, which represents him, while more uncertain of life, yet cherishing hope of speedy deliverance (Php 2:24; contrast 2Ti 1:16-18; 2:9; 4:6-8,18). His leaving Trophimus sick at Miletum (2Ti 4:20) could not have been on the occasion of Ac 20:15, for he was with Paul at Jerusalem soon after (Ac 21:29). Besides, Paul would not mention as a recent occurrence one that took place six or seven years before.
Timothy was with Paul then at Miletum, and needed not to be informed of Trophimus' sickness there (Ac 20:4,17), if the occasion were the same. Paul now had shortly before been at Corinth and left Erastus there (2Ti 4:20), but Paul had not been at Corinth for several years before his first imprisonment, and in the interval Timothy had been with him; so Paul did not need to write to Timothy about that visit. The writer of Heb 13:23-24, doubtless Paul, was at liberty and in Italy; liberated from his first imprisonment at Rome, Paul must have resumed his apostolic journeyings, then was imprisoned at Rome again; thence just before his death he wrote 2 Timothy (See PAUL.) Shortly before his second imprisonment Paul visited Ephesus, where new elders governed the church (Ac 20:25, most of the old ones had passed away), say in the latter end of 66 or 67 A.D.
OBJECT. To beg Timothy to come and bring Mark with him (2Ti 1:4; 4:9,11-21). But, uncertain whether Timothy would arrive in time, he desired to give a last warning as to the heresies of which the germs were then being scattered. He exhorts him to faithful zeal for sound doctrine, patience under trials, and boldness in Christ's cause, a charge which Timothy's constitutional timidity needed (1Ti 5:22-23; 2:2-8; 4:1-5). (On Paul's and Peter's martyrdom, as to place and time, see both PAUL and PETER.)
STYLE AND CHARACTERISTICS. Paul shows an ever deepening sense of God's "mercy," as the end approaches. Hence, "mercy" is inserted between "grace" and "peace" in the pastoral epistles for the first time; in the former epistles he has" grace and peace" only. Compare 1Ti 1:13, "I obtained mercy," especially needed by ministers, whose office is the leading topic in then, (compare 1Co 7:25). The second epistle is abrupt, without plan, or methodical handling of subjects. Strong emotion, vivid remembrances of the past, and anxious thoughts for the future, characterize it, as was to be expected from one on the verge of eternity. The Old Testament is not quoted, as in his other epistles; still its inspiration and wisdom-giving, saving power is strongly alleged (2Ti 3:15-17). "Faithful sayings, "probably inspired utterances of church prophets, take the place of Old Testament quotations (compare 1-Timothy/4/1/type/tcv'>1Ti 4:1,1 Corinthians 14).
Other characteristics of the pastoral epistles are solicitude for "sound" teaching, as opposed to the morbid subtleties of theosophists; the importance attached to church administration and organization; doxologies, as from one continually realizing God's presence, now especially when earthly things were about to pass from him so soon (1Ti 1:17; 6:15-16; 2Ti 4:18). As 1Ti 4:1-5 points to the mediaeval apostasy, "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith ... speaking lies in hypocrisy, forbidding to marry ... commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received," so 2Ti 3:1-9 to the age out of which shall spring the last antichrist. No longer is it "the latter times," but "the last days," characterized by self love, covetousness, boasting, pride, disobedience to parents, love of plea sure, formality without the power of godliness.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed to the front, and he waved his hand to show that he wanted to speak in their defense to the people. However, when they recognized him as a Jew, one cry broke from them all, and they continued shouting for two hours--"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
He was accompanied by Sopater the son of Pyrrhus, of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, as well as by Tychicus and Trophimus of Roman Asia. These men went to Troas and waited for us there; read more. While we ourselves sailed from Philippi after the Passover, and joined them five days later at Troas, where we stayed for a week. On the first day of the week, when we had met for the Breaking of Bread, Paul, who was intending to leave the next day, began to address those who were present, and prolonged his address till midnight.
The day after we had sailed from there, we arrived off Chios, touched at Samos the following day, and the next day reached Miletus;
From Miletus, however, he sent to Ephesus and invited the Officers of the Church to meet him;
And now, I tell you, I know that none of you will ever see my face again--you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the Kingdom.
(For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in Paul's company in the city, and were under the belief that Paul had taken him into the Temple.)
(For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in Paul's company in the city, and were under the belief that Paul had taken him into the Temple.)
For two whole years Paul stayed in a house which he rented for himself, welcoming all who came to see him,
With regard to unmarried women, I have no command from the Master to give you, but I tell you my opinion, and it is that of a man whom the Master in his mercy has made worthy to be trusted.
To enable you, as well as others, to know all that concerns me and what I am doing, Tychicus, our dear Brother and faithful helper in the Master's Cause, will tell you everything. I am sending him to you on purpose that you may learn all about us, and that he may cheer your hearts.
And I am confident, as one who trusts in the Lord Jesus, that before long I myself shall follow.
Our dear Brother, Tychicus, will tell you all about me. He is a faithful minister, and a fellow-servant in the Master's cause. I send him to you expressly that you may learn our circumstances, and that he may give you encouragement.
Luke, our dear doctor, sends you his greeting, and Demas sends his.
though I once used to blaspheme, and to persecute, and to insult. Yet mercy was shown me, because I acted in ignorance, while still an unbeliever;
To the Immortal King, ever-living, invisible, the one God, be ascribed honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymenaeus and Alexander are instances--the men whom I delivered over to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
especially for kings and all who are in high positions, in order that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in a deeply religious and reverent spirit. This will be good and acceptable in the eyes of God, our Savior, read more. whose will is that every one should be saved, and attain to a full knowledge of the Truth. There is but one God, and one mediator between God and men--the man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom on behalf of all men. This must be our testimony, as opportunities present themselves; and it was for this that I was myself appointed a Herald and an Apostle (I am telling the simple truth and no lie)--a Teacher of the Gentiles in the Faith and Truth. My desire, then, is that it should be the custom everywhere for the men to lead the prayers, with hands reverently uplifted, avoiding heated controversy.
But the Spirit distinctly says that in later times there will be some who will fall away from the Faith, and devote their attention to misleading spirits, and to the teaching of demons,
But the Spirit distinctly says that in later times there will be some who will fall away from the Faith, and devote their attention to misleading spirits, and to the teaching of demons,
But the Spirit distinctly says that in later times there will be some who will fall away from the Faith, and devote their attention to misleading spirits, and to the teaching of demons,
But the Spirit distinctly says that in later times there will be some who will fall away from the Faith, and devote their attention to misleading spirits, and to the teaching of demons, who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These men's consciences are seared,
who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These men's consciences are seared, and they discourage marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food; though God created these foods to be enjoyed thankfully by those who hold the Faith and have attained a full knowledge of the Truth.
and they discourage marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food; though God created these foods to be enjoyed thankfully by those who hold the Faith and have attained a full knowledge of the Truth. Everything created by God is good, and there in nothing that need be rejected--provided only that it is received thankfully;
Everything created by God is good, and there in nothing that need be rejected--provided only that it is received thankfully; for it is consecrated by God's blessing and by prayer.
for it is consecrated by God's blessing and by prayer.
Never ordain any one hastily, and take no part in the wrong-doing of others. Keep your life pure. Do not continue to drink water only, but take a little wine on account of the weakness of your stomach, and your frequent ailments.
This will be brought about in his own time by the one ever-blessed Potentate, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, who alone is possessed of immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or ever can see--to whom be ascribed honour and power for ever. Amen.
as I think of your tears, longing to see you, that my happiness may be completed,
You know, of course, that all our friends in Roman Asia turned their backs on me, and among them Phygellus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus; for he often cheered me and was not ashamed of my chains.
May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus; for he often cheered me and was not ashamed of my chains.
May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus; for he often cheered me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he arrived in Rome, he sought eagerly for me till he found me.
On the contrary, when he arrived in Rome, he sought eagerly for me till he found me.
On the contrary, when he arrived in Rome, he sought eagerly for me till he found me. The Lord grant that he may find mercy at the hands of the Lord on 'That Day.' The many services that he rendered at Ephesus you have the best means of knowing.
The Lord grant that he may find mercy at the hands of the Lord on 'That Day.' The many services that he rendered at Ephesus you have the best means of knowing.
The Lord grant that he may find mercy at the hands of the Lord on 'That Day.' The many services that he rendered at Ephesus you have the best means of knowing.
in the service of which I am suffering hardships, even to being put in fetters as a criminal. But the Message of God is not fettered;
in the service of which I am suffering hardships, even to being put in fetters as a criminal. But the Message of God is not fettered;
and their teaching will spread like a cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are instances of this.
Be sure of this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Men will be selfish, mercenary, boastful, haughty, and blasphemous; disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, impure, read more. incapable of affection, merciless, slanderous, wanting in self-control, brutal, careless of the right, treacherous, reckless, and puffed up with pride; they will love pleasure more than they love God; and while they retain the outward form of religion, they will not allow it to influence them. Turn your back on such men as these. For among them are to be found those who creep into homes and captivate weak women--women who, loaded with sins, and slaves to all kinds of passions, are always learning, and yet never able to attain to a real knowledge of the Truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these people, in their turn, oppose the Truth. Their minds are corrupted, and, as regards the Faith, they are utterly worthless. They will not, however, make further progress; for their wicked folly will be plain to every one, just as that of Jannes and Jambres was.
and that, from your childhood, you have known the Sacred Writings, which can give you the wisdom that, through belief in Christ Jesus, leads to Salvation. Everything that is written under divine inspiration is helpful for teaching, for refuting error, for giving guidance, and for training others in righteousness; read more. so that the Servant of God may be perfect himself, and perfectly equipped for every good action.
As for me, my life blood is already being poured out; the time of my departure is close at hand.
As for me, my life blood is already being poured out; the time of my departure is close at hand.
As for me, my life blood is already being poured out; the time of my departure is close at hand. I have run the great Race; I have finished the Course; I have kept the Faith.
I have run the great Race; I have finished the Course; I have kept the Faith.
I have run the great Race; I have finished the Course; I have kept the Faith. And now the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give me on 'That Day'--and not only to me, but to all who have loved his Appearing.
And now the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give me on 'That Day'--and not only to me, but to all who have loved his Appearing.
And now the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give me on 'That Day'--and not only to me, but to all who have loved his Appearing. Do your utmost to come to me soon; read more. for Demas, in his love for the world, has deserted me. He has gone to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. There is no one but Luke with me. Pick up Mark on your way, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring with you, when you come, the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
Bring with you, when you come, the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
Bring with you, when you come, the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander, the coppersmith, showed much ill-feeling towards me. 'The Lord will give him what his actions deserve.'
Alexander, the coppersmith, showed much ill-feeling towards me. 'The Lord will give him what his actions deserve.'
Alexander, the coppersmith, showed much ill-feeling towards me. 'The Lord will give him what his actions deserve.' Do you also, be on your guard against him, for he is strongly opposed to our teaching. read more. At my first trial no one stood by me. They all deserted me. May it never be counted against them!
At my first trial no one stood by me. They all deserted me. May it never be counted against them!
At my first trial no one stood by me. They all deserted me. May it never be counted against them!
At my first trial no one stood by me. They all deserted me. May it never be counted against them! But the Lord came to my help and strengthened me, in order that, through me, the proclamation should be made so widely that all the Gentiles should hear it; and I was rescued 'out of the Lion's mouth.'
But the Lord came to my help and strengthened me, in order that, through me, the proclamation should be made so widely that all the Gentiles should hear it; and I was rescued 'out of the Lion's mouth.'
But the Lord came to my help and strengthened me, in order that, through me, the proclamation should be made so widely that all the Gentiles should hear it; and I was rescued 'out of the Lion's mouth.'
But the Lord came to my help and strengthened me, in order that, through me, the proclamation should be made so widely that all the Gentiles should hear it; and I was rescued 'out of the Lion's mouth.' The Lord will rescue me from all evil, and bring me safe into his Heavenly Kingdom. All glory to him for ever and ever! Amen.
The Lord will rescue me from all evil, and bring me safe into his Heavenly Kingdom. All glory to him for ever and ever! Amen. Give my greeting to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus.
Give my greeting to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Thophimus ill at Miletus.
Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Thophimus ill at Miletus.
Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Thophimus ill at Miletus. Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus and Claudia send you their greetings, and so do all our Brothers.
Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus and Claudia send you their greetings, and so do all our Brothers.
And Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers, send theirs.
You will be glad to hear that our Brother, Timothy, has been set free. If he comes here soon, we will visit you together. Give our greeting to all your Leaders, and to all Christ's People. Our friends from Italy send their greetings to you.