2 Timothy 4 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1I charge thee (diamarturoma). Rather, "I testify." See 1Th 4:6 . See 1Ti 5:21 for this verb and appeal to God and Christ.
Who shall judge (tou mellontos krinein). "The one going or about to judge" (regular idiom with mello). The quick and the dead (zontas ka nekrous). "Living and dead." See 1Th 4:16f .
And by his appearing (ka ten epiphaneian). Accusative of conjuration (verbs of swearing), after diamarturoma as is basileian (by his kingdom). See 1Th 5:27 . For epiphaneian, see 1:10; Tit 2:13; 1Ti 6:14; 2Th 2:8 .
2Preach the word (keruxon ton logon). First aorist active imperative of kerusso. For "the word" used absolutely, see 1Th 1:6; Ga 6:6 .
Be instant in season, out of season (episteth eukairos akairos). Second aorist (ingressive) active imperative of ephistem (intransitive use), "take a stand," "stand upon it or up to it," "carry on," "stick to it." The Vulgate has "insta." The two adverbs are like a proverb or a play (pun) on the word kairos. There are all sorts of seasons (kairo), some difficult (chalepo, 3:1), some easy (eukaire, 1Co 16:12 ).
Reprove (elenxon). First aorist active imperative of elencho. "Bring to proof." Eph 5:11 .
Rebuke (epitimeson). First aorist active imperative of epitimao, to give honour (or blame) to, to chide. Common in the Gospels (Lu 17:3 ).
Exhort (parakaleson). First aorist active imperative of parakaleo, common Pauline word.
3A time when (kairos ote). One of the akairos (out of season) times.
Will not endure (ouk anexonta). Future middle (direct) of anecho. "Will not hold themselves back from" (Col. 3:13). Having itching ears (knethomeno ten akoen). Present middle (causative) participle of knetho, late and rare form of the Attic knao, to scratch, to tickle, here only in N.T. "Getting the ears (the hearing, ten akoen) tickled." The Vulgate has prurientes. Cf. the Athenians (Ac 17:21 ). Clement of Alexandria tells of speakers tickling (knethontes) the ears of those who want to be tickled. This is the temptation of the merely "popular" preacher, to furnish the latest tickle.
4Will turn away their ears (ten akoen apostrepsousin). Future active of old verb apostrepho. See 1Co 12:17 for this use of akoe. The people stopped their ears and rushed at Stephen in Ac 7:57 .
Will turn aside (ektrapesonta). Second future passive of ektrepo. They prefer "myths" to "the truth" as some today turn away to "humanism," "bolshevism," "new thought" or any other fad that will give a new momentary thrill to their itching ears and morbid minds.
5But be thou sober (su de nephe). Present active imperative of nepho, for which see 1Th 5:6,8 . "Be sober in thy head."
Suffer hardship (kakopatheson). See 2:9.
Do the work of an evangelist (ergon poieson euangelistou). See 1Co 1:17; Eph 4:11 for euangelistes, gospelizer.
Fulfil (plerophoreson). First aorist active imperative of plerophoreo, for which see Col 4:12 . In Col 4:17 Paul uses pleroo to Archippus about his ministry as he here employs plerophoreo. Both verbs mean to fill full.
6I am already being offered (ede spendoma). Present (progressive) passive indicative of spendo, old verb, to pour out a libation or drink offering. In N.T. only here and Php 2:17 . "What was then a possibility is now a certainty" (Parry). The sacrifice of Paul's life-blood has begun.
Of my departure (tes analuseos mou). Our very word "analysis." Old word from analuo, to loosen up or back, to unloose. Only here in N.T., though analusa for death is used by Paul in Php 1:23 which see for the metaphor.
Is come (ephesteken). Perfect active indicative of ephistem (intransitive use). See 1Th 5:3; Lu 21:34 . The hour has struck. The time has come.
7I have fought the good fight (ton kalon agona egonisma). Perfect middle indicative of agonizoma, a favourite figure with Paul (1Co 9:25; Col 1:29 ), with the cognate accusative agona (Php 1:27,30 , etc.). The "fight" is the athletic contest of his struggle for Christ.
I have finished the course (ton dromon teteleka). Perfect active indicative of teleo. He had used this metaphor also of himself to the elders at Ephesus (Ac 20:24 ). Then the "course" was ahead of him. Now it is behind him.
I have kept the faith (ten pistin tetereka). Perfect active indicative again of tereo. Paul has not deserted. He has kept faith with Christ. For this phrase, see Re 14:12 . Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 309) gives inscriptions in Ephesus of a man who says: "I have kept faith" (ten pistin eteresa) and another of a man of whom it is said: "He fought three fights, and twice was crowned."
8Henceforth (loipon). Accusative case, "for the rest."
There is laid up for me (apokeita mo). Present passive of apokeima, old verb, to be laid away. See Col 1:5 for the hope laid away. Paul's "crown of righteousness" (o tes dikaiosunes stephanos, genitive of apposition, the crown that consists in righteousness and is also the reward for righteousness, the victor's crown as in 1Co 9:25 which see) "is laid away" for him.
At that day (en ekeine te emera). That great and blessed day (1:12,18 ).
The righteous judge (o dikaios krites). "The just judge," the umpire who makes no mistakes who judges us all (2Co 5:10 ).
Shall give me (apodose mo). Future active of apodidom. "Will give back" as in Ro 2:6 and in full.
But also to all them that have loved his appearing (alla pasin tois egapekosin ten epiphaneian autou). Dative case of the perfect active participle of agapao, to love, who have loved and still love his second coming. Epiphaneia here can as in 1:10 be interpreted of Christ's Incarnation.
9Shortly (tacheos). In verse 21 he more definitely says "before winter." Apparently the trial might drag on through its various stages.
10Forsook me (me enkateleipen). Imperfect (MSS. also have aorist, enkatelipen) active of the old double compound verb enkataleipo, for which see Ro 9:29 . Clearly in contrast to verse 9 and in the sense of 1Ti 6:17 , wilful desertion. Only mentioned elsewhere in Col 4:14 .
Crescens (Kreskes). No other mention of him.
Titus to Dalmatia (Titos eis Dalmatian). Titus had been asked to rejoin Paul in Nicopolis where he was to winter, probably the winter previous to this one (Tit 3:12 ). He came and has been with Paul.
11Only Luke is with me (Loukas estin monos met' emou). Luke is with Paul now in Rome as during the first Roman imprisonment (Phm 1:24; Col 4:14 ).
Take Mark (Markon analabon). Second aorist active participle of analambano, old verb, to pick up, as in Eph 6:13,16 . "Pick up Mark."
He is useful to me (estin mo euchrestos). See 2:21 for euchrestos. Paul had long ago changed his opinion of Mark (Col 4:10 ) because Mark had changed his conduct and had made good in his ministry. Now Paul longs to have the man that he once scornfully rejected (Ac 15:37ff. ).
12Tychicus I sent to Ephesus (Tuchikon apesteila eis Epheson). Perhaps Paul had sent him on before he came to Rome. He may have been still on the way to Ephesus.
13The cloke (ten phelonen). More common form pheilone. By metathesis for phainole, Latin paenula, though which language transliterated the word into the other is not known. The meaning is also uncertain, though probably "cloke" as there are so many papyri examples in that sense (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary). Milligan (N.T. Documents, p. 20) had previously urged "book wrap" as probable but he changed his mind and rightly so.
With Carpus (para Karpo). "Beside Carpus," at his house. Not mentioned elsewhere. Probably a visit to Troas after Paul's return from Crete.
The books (ta biblia). Probably papyrus rolls. One can only guess what rolls the old preacher longs to have with him, probably copies of Old Testament books, possibly copies of his own letters, and other books used and loved. The old preacher can be happy with his books.
Especially the parchments (malista tas membranas). Latin membrana. The dressed skins were first made at Pergamum and so termed "parchments." These in particular would likely be copies of Old Testament books, parchment being more expensive than papyrus, possibly even copies of Christ's sayings (Lu 1:1-4 ). We recall that in Ac 26:24 Festus referred to Paul's learning (ta grammata). He would not waste his time in prison.
14Alexander the coppersmith (Alexandros o chalkeus). Old word, only here in N.T., for metal-worker (copper, iron, gold, etc.). Possibly the one in 1:20, but not the one in Ac 19:33f. unless he afterwards became a Christian.
Did me much evil (mo kaka enedeixato). Evidently he had some personal dislike towards Paul and possibly also he was a Gnostic.
Will render (apodose). Future active of the same verb used in verse 8, but with a very different atmosphere.
15Be thou ware also (ka su phulassou). Present middle (direct) imperative of phulasso, "from whom keep thyself away."
Withstood (anteste). Second aorist active indicative of anthistem, "stood against my words." See 3:8; Ga 2:11 .
16At my first defence (en te prote apologia). Original sense of "apology" as in Php 1:7,16 . Either the first stage in this trial or the previous trial and acquittal at the end of the first Roman imprisonment. Probably the first view is correct, though really there is no way to decide.
No one took my part (oudeis mo paregeneto). "No one came by my side" (second aorist middle indicative of paraginoma). See 1Co 16:3 .
But all forsook me (alla pantes me enkateleipon). Same verb and tense used of Demas above (verse 10), "But all were forsaking me" (one by one) or, if aorist enkatelipon, "all at once left me."
May it not be laid to their account (me autois logistheie). First aorist passive optative in future wish with negative me. Common Pauline verb logizoma (1Co 13:5; Ro 4:3,5 ).
17But the Lord stood by me (o de kurios mo pareste). Second aorist active of paristem (intransitive use), "took his stand by my side." See Ro 16:2 . Clearly Jesus appeared to Paul now at this crisis and climax as he had done so many times before.
Strengthened me (enedunamosen me). "Poured power into me." See Php 4:13 .
That through me the message might be fully proclaimed (ina di' emou to kerugma plerophorethe). Final clause with ina and first aorist passive subjunctive of plerophoreo (see verse 5). Either to the rulers in Rome now or, if the first imprisonment, by his release and going to Spain.
And that all the Gentiles might hear (ka akousosin panta ta ethne). Continuation of the purpose with the aorist active subjunctive of akouo.
I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion (erusthen ek stomatos leontos). First aorist passive indicative of ruoma (1Th 1:10 ). A proverb, but not certain what the application is whether to Nero or to Satan (1Th 2:18 ) or to the lion in the arena where Paul could not be sent because a Roman citizen.
18Will deliver me (ruseta me). Future middle. Recall the Lord's Prayer. Paul is not afraid of death. He will find his triumph in death (Php 1:21f. ).
Unto his heavenly kingdom (eis ten basileian autou ten epouranion). The future life of glory as in 1Co 15:24,50 . He will save (sose, effective future) me there finally and free from all evil.
To whom be the glory (o e doxa). No verb in the Greek. Paul's final doxology, his Swan Song, to Christ as in Ro 9:5; 16:27 .
19Prisca and Aquila (Prischan ka Akulan). Paul's friends now back in Ephesus, no longer in Rome (Rom 16:3 ). See 1:16 for the house of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus (Erastos). See Ac 19:22; Ro 16:23 .
Trophimus (Trophimon). A native of Ephesus and with Paul in Jerusalem (Ac 20:4; 21:29 ).
At Miletus sick (en Mileto asthenounta). Present active participle of astheneo, to be weak. Probably on Paul's return from Crete.
21Before winter (pro cheimonos). Pathetic item if Paul was now in the Mamertine Dungeon in Rome with winter coming on and without his cloak for which he asked. How long he had been in prison this time we do not know. He may even have spent the previous winter or part of it here. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia are all unknown otherwise. Irenaeus does speak of Linus.
The Lord be with thy Spirit (o kurios meta tou pneumatos sou). Let us hope that Timothy and Mark reached Paul before winter, before the end came, with the cloak and with the books. Our hero, we may be sure, met the end nobly. He is already more than conqueror in Christ who is by his side and who will welcome him to heaven and give him his crown. Luke, Timothy, Mark will do all that mortal hands can do to cheer the heart of Paul with human comfort. He already had the comfort of Christ in full measure.
EPISTLE TO TITUS
PROBABLY 66 OR 67
APPARENTLY FROM NICOPOLIS
Titus 1