Chapter IV.
(Vers. 1, 2. )
(Verse 1, 2) I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, by his coming and his kingdom; preach the word, be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. He strongly commands that the gift of God be proclaimed diligently, so that with the witness of God the Father and Christ his Son, he may admonish to take care of this, and to insist on it; so that through constant preaching and frequent admonition, he may urge them towards better progress; and he encourages that this should be done without bitterness, so that those being argued with may agree more easily.
(Verse 3, 4) For there will come a time when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap up teachers for themselves, itching in their ears, and they will turn their hearing away from the truth and turn to fables. And this is similar to the prophecy of the holy Apostle, who, being aware of future events, urges us to be diligent in teaching; so that, being molded in faith and good works, skilled in sound discipline, we may remain strong; so that in the last times, when some have begun to turn from truth to error, they may persevere immovably. For those who are willing to be taught for the sake of their desires, he predicts that tales will be forthcoming; so that they turn to reliable and truthful teachers who teach them what they willingly listen to; because the truth will seem harsh to them, so that they abandon their own teachings and indulge in fables. For they do not want their evil deeds to be exposed: therefore, they desire teachers who cater to their morals; for their ears itch to hear fables of vanities composed under the name of doctrine, which they will take pleasure in. What is unique to no one else as it is to the Manichaeans, who have some different explanations, inflated with fancy names; even though they are trivial things and some delusions.
(Vers. 5, 6.) But you, be sober, endure all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry; for I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. He reminds and exhorts him to be watchful in ecclesiastical discipline, to act manfully, to explain the Scriptures, so that they may avoid empty fables, being prudent and well-informed. For the Apostle, knowing that his passion is imminent, wants to leave an example of godly conduct and sound doctrine in holy Timothy, so that through a translator suitable teachers would never be lacking, yet he calls his passion a pouring out; for he is offered to God, who suffers for his righteousness.
(Vers. 6, 7.)
(Verse 6, 7.) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. He mentions that he has preserved all things that were beneficial and prosperous for himself and others; for he not only showed his form in words, but also in deeds to those who listened; in order to be a faithful steward of the preaching of truth to his author, and struggling against the rulers and authorities of the world with every care and skill, to leave an example of how they could be overcome; so that the uncorrupted doctrine and the legitimate struggle of the combat would make them worthy of being crowned; for the righteous God will give the greatest rewards to those who love him and wait for his Son from heaven.
(Vers. 9-12.)
(Vers. 9-12.) Be diligent to come to me as soon as possible; for Demas has forsaken me, loving this present world, and has departed to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. While it is certain that all the instruction of an ecclesiastical man is contained in the epistle, nevertheless, because of his great love, he desires his presence. However, he bears witness to Mark, because he remembers his past labors.
(Vers. 13.)
(Verse 13) Bring with you the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the books, especially the parchments. The apostle was a Jewish by birth and had nothing that was foreign to him. So why did he have a cloak? Well, because he was from Tarsus, and it is known that those from Tarsus were admitted into Roman society, so they were called Roman citizens. Therefore, it was necessary for them to have both a toga and a senate house where they could gather together wearing their togas, just like the Romans. For whoever at that time had met the Romans with gifts, they were granted perpetual immunity and were called Roman citizens and their brothers, according to the same apostle as a witness. Therefore, it is possible for him to have his father's cloak, if he had completely given himself to the Law.
(Vers. 14, 15.)
(Ver. 14, 15.) Alexander the coppersmith showed me many evils: the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Avoid him as well; for he strongly opposed our words. This Alexander and the aforementioned Demas were colleagues. They were with the Apostle before, pretending to be his friends. But because they are proven deceitful with time, both of them withdrew from him. However, this coppersmith, who was bolder in his evil deeds, departed from him in such a way that he even became an adversary to his words. Therefore, the one who dared to contradict the Apostle, not without reason, advises avoiding him, leaving him to the judgment of God.
(Vers. 16.)
(Verse 16) In my first defense, no one stood by me; on the contrary, all deserted me. May it not be charged against them. He declares that the sufferings and tribulations inflicted upon him are his defense; for suffering is the life of Christians, and persecution is their defense. The suffering inflicted on him defends him on the Day of Judgment, rendering the guilty parties. Therefore, in the very beginning of the inflicted suffering, he complains of being abandoned; and because he knows this to be a common circumstance, he does not want it to be charged against them. For even the disciples deserted the Lord when he was apprehended by the Jews, as it is written in the prophet: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered' (Zechariah 13:7).
(Vers. 17.)
(Verse 17.) But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished and all the Gentiles might hear. Therefore, our Lord declares that He was fortified and increased in power by the help of God, to fulfill the proclamation among all the Gentiles. For this reason, He pardons those from whom He was abandoned in times of trouble, so that He may be well-received by God and not seek vengeance. It is for this reason that He believes Himself to be further aided by God, for He was abandoned by men.
(Vers. 18.)
(Verse 18.) And I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. The Lord will deliver me from all evil deeds and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever, amen. Similarly, Peter, his co-apostle, says: Because our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). But since the devil did not find an opportunity to deceive the Apostle, he stirred up persecution and punishment against him through his followers; so that, though he may not be taken from this life as a sinner or as a righteous man, he would not encourage many to have faith. And when it was nearly fulfilled, the Apostle was providentially delivered by God, he insults him, testifying that he is weak because he was snatched from his mouth; because what he desired, he could not fulfill. Therefore, he congratulates himself for being snatched from death by the help of God, and he is so confident in God's providence that he believes he will be freed from future temptations: and not only freed at present, but also saved on the day of judgment, and reigning with the Lord Christ in eternal ages.
(Vers. 19, 20, 21.)
(Verse 19, 20, 21.) Greet Priscilla, Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained in Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Be diligent to come before winter. Aquila and Priscilla are here, with whom I stayed and worked with my hands (Acts 18:3). Onesiphorus is here, who is mentioned in the second letter (2 Timothy 1:16). But why is it that, while the Apostle who raised the dead was present, Trophimus became sick? But the signs were done for the unbelievers: and because merit is placed by God for various reasons; so whether in tribulation or in sickness, he who gives thanks to God does not seek support from the opposing side in order to advance in merits with God. But he warned him to come to him in autumn because of the rains and the cold. Eubulus and Pudens, Linus and Claudia, and all the brothers greet you. The usual custom has been observed with the completion of the letter, the greeting of the brothers.
Lord Jesus Christ with your spirit. This is the signature of the Apostles, which he says is a sign in every epistle. And because the Son of God is also the Son of Man, and he is called Jesus and Christ, so that both the human and the divine are signified, he is called by two names. However, with each name, the dignity is designated, for which the names are given.