_ST. PAUL EXHORTETH TIMOTHY TO DO HIS DUTY WITH ALL CARE AND DILIGENCE: HE CERTIFIETH HIM OF THE NEARNESS OF HIS DEATH; WILLETH HIM TO COME SPEEDILY UNTO HIM, AND TO BRING MARCUS WITH HIM, AND CERTAIN THINGS WHICH HE WROTE FOR; WARNETH HIM TO BEWARE OF ALEXANDER THE SMITH; INFORMETH HIM WHAT HAD BEF... [ Continue Reading ]
IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON;— That is, _"_in the stated season of religious assemblies; and out of that season, whenever occasional Providences may give thee an opportunity: yea, carry it into thy private conversation, in the intervals of private labour.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TIME WILL COME— This is another hint of the introduction of the grand apostacy, and it has been verified to an amazing degree. That is _sound doctrine_ which promotes a holy life: it is the love of sin which renders men averse to _sound doctrine,_ and puts them upon following such teachers a... [ Continue Reading ]
ENDURE AFFLICTIONS,— The heathens ascribed the patience and steadfastness of the Christians, in the midst of persecution, to mere obstinacy; but none of mankind ever had stronger reasons for what they did, or better principles to go upon, when theyencountereddanger and death with such fortitude and... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM—READY TO BE OFFERED,— The original is very emphatical: _For I am already poured out as a libation._ So St. Peter foresaw his approaching martyrdom, 2 Ephesians 1:14. St. Paul uses the word σπενδομαι in the same sense, Philippians 2:17. It seems to be an allusion to the custom of pouring wine up... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, &C.— _I have maintained the good combat, I have finished my race,_ &c. The apostle here again alludes to the _agonistic games._ See 1 Timothy 6:12. Two of the expressions in this verse are agonistic terms, and the third is perhaps an allusion to the citizen who was faithf... [ Continue Reading ]
HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN. &C.— St. Paul here represents the great Judge, who had been witness to all his behaviour, with a crown in his hand, which he will bestow upon him as the reward of his faithfulness, and of his coming off victor: and that the time of his bestowing it will be... [ Continue Reading ]
_2 TIMOTHY 4:9_.— After Timothy had settled affairs where he was, the apostle orders him to repair to him with all speed; for all his other companions, except Luke, were gone away from him. Timothy was to make Troas in his way to Rome, and to receive from Carpus several things which the apostle had... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING LOVED THIS PRESENT WORLD,— If we consider St. Paul's present situation, we shall be inclined to believe that _Demas_ was influenced to this conduct by a _love_ to the _present life,_ or _world,_ not to any principles of the _Judaizers;_ by a dread of persecution, and the fear of a violent dea... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE MARK, AND BRING HIM WITH THEE:— This is a proof that St. Paul and St. Mark were reconciled again, though the behaviour of the latter had formerly occasioned their separation: Acts 15:39. The great value which St. Paul retained for St. Mark, even till the last, is here expressed in clear and str... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLOKE THAT I LEFT AT TROAS, &C.— Τον φαιλονην. This word is variously spelt, and has various meanings. Gataker looks upon it to be a Latin word Graecised. Some understand it to signify a _bag,_ or _book-case;_ and the joining _books_ and _parchments_ with it, say they, makes it probable that thi... [ Continue Reading ]
ALEXANDER THE COPPER-SMITH, &C.— Dr. Lightfoot observes, that _delivering a person over to Satan,_ was a phrase well known among the Jews; and that it meant more than _excommunication,_ even the delivering men over by miracle to _diseases_ or _death._ The apostle, some years before this, had _delive... [ Continue Reading ]
ART MY FIRST ANSWER, &C.— _Apology,_ or _defence._ Heylin, Doddridge, &c. Upon our Lord's being apprehended, _all his disciples forsook him and fled;_—and yet he forgave, and interceded for them. When St. Paul became a Christian, he put off his fierce and persecuting spirit; and after that, the char... [ Continue Reading ]
MIGHT BE FULLY KNOWN,— Πληροφορηθη,— _might be carried on with confidence._ It was a glorious testimony to the honour of Christianity, that the apostle couldthuscourageouslymaintainit, when all his friends forsook him, and his enemies were so fiercely raging against him. By the _lion,_ the apostle ... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SHALL DELIVER ME— "I do not indeed expect to be delivered, when I am called upon to make my second apology: but I am persuaded that the Lord will deliver me from every _evil work;_ from all misbehaviour unworthy his sacred ministry; and that he will bring me safe unto his heavenly kingd... [ Continue Reading ]
SALUTE PRISCA, AND AQUILA,— She is called _Priscilla,_ Acts 2:26. Romans 16:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
TROPHIMUS—LEFT AT MILETUM SICK.— It has been very justly argued from this text, that a power of working miracles did not _always_ reside in the apostles; and indeed if it had, onecan hardly imagine that any good or useful man would have been sick, and have died under their notice, which wouldhave be... [ Continue Reading ]
PUDENS, AND LINUS, AND CLAUDIA,— What some have said concerning _Pudens's_ being of the senatorial order, and _Claudia's_ being a British lady who was converted by St. Paul, and sent the gospel first into England, does not seem sufficiently supported. Martial speaks of them as young persons at that... [ Continue Reading ]