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/worsley'>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
And they brought Alexander forward out of the multitude, the Jews urging him on. And Alexander beckoning with the hand, would have made a defence to the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, they all cried out with one voice, for near two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
And there accompanied him to Asia, Sopater the Berean, and of the Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy: and the Asiatics, Tychicus and Trophimus, who went before and stayed for us at Troas. read more. And after the days of unleavened bread we sailed from Philippi, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we spent seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled together to break bread, Paul being about to depart on the morrow, preached unto them, and continued his discourse till midnight.
And sailing from thence we came the next day over against Chios; and the day following we arrived at Samos, and stopping at Trogyllium, we came the day after to Miletus.
But he sent from Miletus to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
And now behold I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
(For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought Paul had brought into the temple.)
(For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought Paul had brought into the temple.)
And Paul abode two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came to him:
But concerning single persons I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgement as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
But that ye also may know my affairs, and what I am doing here, Tychicus a beloved brother, and a faithful minister in the Lord, shall make all known to you: whom I have sent to you, for this very end, that ye might know our concerns, and that he may comfort your hearts.
All things concerning me will Tychicus make known to you, who is a beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord: whom I have sent to you for this purpose also that he may know your affairs, and comfort your hearts;
Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, greeteth you.
who before was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an oppressor. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief: and the grace of our Lord superabounded,
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
particularly for kings, and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all piety and virtue. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour: read more. who is willing that all men should be saved, and therefore come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: who gave himself a ransom for all, a testimony to be published in due time, for which I was appointed a herald and an apostle. I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not; I am a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I direct therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without wrath and debate:
Now the Spirit expressly saith, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith, attending to seducing spirits,
Now the Spirit expressly saith, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith, attending to seducing spirits,
Now the Spirit expressly saith, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith, attending to seducing spirits,
Now the Spirit expressly saith, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith, attending to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons founded in the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience, forbidding to marry,
and doctrines of demons founded in the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience, forbidding to marry, and enjoining abstinence from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by those that believe and know the truth.
and enjoining abstinence from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by those that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
for it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
Lay hands on no man precipitately, and be not hereby a partaker in the sins of others. Keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water only, but use a little wine with it, for the sake of thy stomach and thy frequent infirmities.
which He will manifest in his own times, who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who alone hath immortality, dwelling in light inaccessible, whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.
greatly desiring to see thee, (for I remember thy tears,) that I may be filled with joy:
Thou knowest that all those of Asia are turned from me, of whom is Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord shew mercy to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but when he was at Rome,
The Lord shew mercy to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but when he was at Rome,
The Lord shew mercy to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but when he was at Rome, he sought for me the more diligently, and found me.
he sought for me the more diligently, and found me.
he sought for me the more diligently, and found me. (The Lord grant that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day!) And how much he ministered to me at Ephesus too, thou knowest full well.
(The Lord grant that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day!) And how much he ministered to me at Ephesus too, thou knowest full well.
(The Lord grant that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day!) And how much he ministered to me at Ephesus too, thou knowest full well.
for whose sake I suffer trouble even unto bonds, as if I were a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
for whose sake I suffer trouble even unto bonds, as if I were a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
and their discourse will eat like a gangrene. Of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; who have erred from the truth,
But this know, that in the last days there will be difficult times; for men will be selfish, covetous, arrogant, proud, blasphemers, undutiful to parents, ungrateful, unholy, read more. without natural affection, perfidious, false accusers, intemperate, savage, enemies to the good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but strangers to the power of it: from such turn away. For of these are they who insinuate themselves into families, and captivate weak women, that are laden with sins, and led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; being men of corrupt minds, and of no judgement in the faith. But they shall not proceed far: for their folly shall be evident to all, as theirs also was.
and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus: for all scripture is by inspiration from God, and is profitable for doctrine, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; read more. that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly fitted for every good work.
For I am now going to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is near.
For I am now going to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is near.
For I am now going to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith. As to what remains, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day: and not to me only, but also to all those who have longed for his appearance.
As to what remains, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day: and not to me only, but also to all those who have longed for his appearance.
As to what remains, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day: and not to me only, but also to all those who have longed for his appearance. Endeavour to come to me soon: for Demas hath forsaken me, read more. through love of this world, and is gone to Thessalonica; as is Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia: Luke only is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is useful to me in the ministry. And I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
And I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When thou comest, bring with thee the cloke, that I left at Troas with Carpus; and the books, but especially the parchments.
When thou comest, bring with thee the cloke, that I left at Troas with Carpus; and the books, but especially the parchments.
When thou comest, bring with thee the cloke, that I left at Troas with Carpus; and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the brazier did me many ill turns: the Lord will reward him according to his deeds.
Alexander the brazier did me many ill turns: the Lord will reward him according to his deeds.
Alexander the brazier did me many ill turns: the Lord will reward him according to his deeds. Of whom do thou also beware: for he hath greatly opposed our doctrine. read more. In my first defence no one stood by me, but all men forsook me: God grant it may not be laid to their charge!
In my first defence no one stood by me, but all men forsook me: God grant it may not be laid to their charge!
In my first defence no one stood by me, but all men forsook me: God grant it may not be laid to their charge!
In my first defence no one stood by me, but all men forsook me: God grant it may not be laid to their charge! But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that by me the gospel might be fully spread, and that all the nations might hear: and so I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that by me the gospel might be fully spread, and that all the nations might hear: and so I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that by me the gospel might be fully spread, and that all the nations might hear: and so I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that by me the gospel might be fully spread, and that all the nations might hear: and so I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory throughout all ages. Amen.
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory throughout all ages. Amen. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus.
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus staid at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
Erastus staid at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
Erastus staid at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Endeavour therefore to come to me before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and indeed all the brethren.
Endeavour therefore to come to me before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and indeed all the brethren.
Know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty, with whom (if he come soon) I will see you. Salute all that preside over you, yea and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.